Hi,
This is Rick & Mary Franzosa. Our son, 2 LT Ben Franzosa is in Iraq. He has volunteered to continue this great work started by Captain Dan Merritt. You can find contact information for Ben on the website:
You can continue to reach us at operationsoccerball@yahoo.com.
Stay tuned, and thanks again for your support of Operation Soccer Ball!
In Al Kut, my platoon is in charge of 3 Iraqi Police Stations. This area of operation is not the safest place, to say the least, but one of the toughest sections of the city and could use a lot of soccer balls. We have been handing balls out every day we go out. It amazes me to see all the smiles and excitement when they get their soccer ball and run off to go and play. Kids remember these things, just like we recall our first baseball mitt or bicycle. These types of events are forever burned into our memory and you can always look back and smile about that day. What we are doing with Operation Soccer Ball is creating memories, thousands of great memories for the kids here in Iraq. They begin to associate our gun trucks as more of a soccer truck than a military weapon. They begin to understand that we are here to help out. They see us safeguarding and patrolling the streets with the Iraqi Police. They tell their friends about how the Americans come around and bring hundreds of balls. This is a positive sign, we are a positive force. We fight and we train and we give to the community, we give to the children, and we let them enjoy their most favorite thing on earth, SOCCER. Please keep those balls coming.
Thanks to all who contribute.
1LT Daniel Merritt, 1/511th MP CO,FOB DELTA IRAQ, APO AE 09317 .
(To Find out how to Contribute, go to: Operationsoccerball.org or Email me at Daniel.Merritt@Iraq.centcom.mil )
This week in Al Kut, Iraq, my platoon and Operation Soccer Ball have continued to spread joy and bring smiles to kids in Iraq. In just a week’s time, we have visited 3 different schools, a medical clinic and dozens of neighborhoods. This week, Operation Soccer Ball took part in a soccer game, another historic event for the city of Al Kut. 11 Soldiers, including myself and 2 other soldiers from my platoon, played a soccer match in the middle of the city against the Iraqi Police. Again , as a sign of good faith we took off our ballistic armor, dropped our weapons and played the world’s game with our Iraqi counterparts. This was a big deal for the Iraqi participants and such a milestone for US Forces. Operation Soccer Ball donated balls to so many kids in the area this week. This program is getting balls out to kids everywhere and accomplishing so much. We have distributed over 200 balls this week!! In the coming weeks I am looking to triple that and even sponsor some teams in the local area. Thanks so much for your ongoing support. - Daniel Merritt -
This month, while my platoon and I were in Al Kut, I was able to witness history in the making. I saw a soccer match played between former enemies, people who, just a few months ago, were in firefights with each other. They put down their weapons and played the world’s game in the middle of the city. Former insurgents on one side, Iraqi Police on the other, and right there in the middle was our US Military Police Company. As a sign of good faith we took off our ballistic armor, dropped our weapons and watched our Iraqi Police counterparts and our former enemy battle it out on the soccer field. Operation Soccer Ball took part in this historic event as we handed out dozens of brand new balls to the local kids who came to watch this historic match. The game was great, a 0-0 game until the very end when the Iraqi Police lost in penalty kicks. In the end, we all won because this was more than a soccer match, this was progress and hope for a new Iraq. I was there and, in a way, so were all of you. Operation Soccer Ball has been making Iraq a better place one soccer ball at a time, I truly believe that this program keeps my soldiers safe by spreading good spirit, winning hearts and minds and simply spreading the joy of soccer (The World’s Game). Once again, thank you for contributing. Keep spreading the word, and please keep the balls coming. - Daniel
On Thursday, Sept. 11, the New England Revolution will proudly participate in Operation Soccer Ball, a humanitarian effort to spread universal goodwill by distributing soccer balls to children in Iraq. All
fans attending the Revolution’s Sept. 11 match against Chivas USA are encouraged to bring deflated soccer balls for donation at the Gillette Stadium gates. Each ball will be delivered to an Iraqi child who does
not have the means to obtain a ball to play the world’s game. With this effort, Operation Soccer Ball aims to spread camaraderie and friendship between nations and provide hope to the people of Iraq through the
‘universal language’ of soccer.
Craig Tornberg
General Manager
New England Revolution
Operation Soccer Ball continues to grow as the supporters spread the word and donate to a great cause. This last hand out was delivered by my 1st and 3rd Squad in an area in Iraq called Budayr. We are constantly out in the community, taking the balls that you all send and placing them in the hands of Iraqi children. THANK YOU . The children thank you also (again). The word is spreading and I hope to expand this program to a new location in Iraq. My goal is to expand operation soccer ball to another province, Al Kut. I can honestly say that all 4 corners of Quadisiyah Province have been touched by operation soccer ball as more than a 1000 balls have been given out. At any point in time while the sun is up in Iraq there are kids playing because of your donations and kids here are happy because you all made them smile. One province down, 18 more to go. Operation Soccer ball has the ability to save lives. When MP Platoons go to new areas there are new risks, new dangers but also new opportunity to build relationships. Operation soccer ball is THE ice breaker for my platoon when reaching out to new areas. All of you who have supported us have my love because this program is stronger than body armor, it creates lasting impressions and builds positive relations. Thank you all who contribute. 1LT Daniel Merritt, 1/511th MP
Hi Everyone,
I’ll try to keep people up to date whe I can.
Since Operation Soccer Ball was created, we have come a long way in a short amount of time. We have turned a simple idea into positive change and inspiration. People all across the country took time out of their busy lives and gave something to others, gifts in the shape of a soccer ball. Since starting Operation Soccer Ball, I have collected well over 1000 soccer balls and have another 1000 on the way . With your help and support, we have accomplished the goal of spreading cheer and good will across the entire province. We have made kids smile, laugh and given them the opportunity to play soccer. Together we have helped strengthen the Iraqi Partnership and improved relationships between the US and the good people of Iraq. We have shown Iraq’s Future (its children) the softer side of the US Army and the good will of the American People. This little ripple that we have started has tidal wave potential. Magazines and newspapers now want to hear about Operation Soccer Ball. Every day, I see the difference we are making and I get to experience the positive change and the laughter. Thanks for all your support and keep spreading the word.
We’re just learning how to use this, so give us some time. 
Thanks for supporting Operation Soccer Ball.
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