Embed pix of US troops handing out easter eggs; foot patrol

(9 Apr 2007) SHOTLIST ++PLEASE NOTE THE AP CREW WERE EMBEDDED WITH THE US MILITARY AND SUBJECT TO US MILITARY RESTRICTIONS++ 1. Platoon praying before they going on patrol 2. Various of patrol in streets 3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sergeant First Class Matthew Walker, 82nd Airborne Division: "These people need help protecting their way of life, so we give them that opportunity to have a safer environment for themselves, to carry on life as they should be able to without people terrorising the streets and stuff like that." 4. Car wreck on street, soldier takes covering position 5. Soldiers pass by wreck 6. Small child shakes hands of passing soldiers 7. Various of children talking and playing with members of patrol 8. Various of soldiers buying goods at shop 9. Staff Sergeant Darren Morgan approaches a young girl 10. Morgan giving out soft toys and Easter eggs 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Staff Sergeant Darren Morgan, 82nd Airborne Division (walking whilst talking): "The first time we came through here she came up to me, and she took my hand and she didn't ask for any chocolate or any footballs or any candy or any toys. She just wanted to meet me and talk to me so right there that drew me to her. And also she reminds me of my daughters - I have a seven and an eight year old and home - so the girls kind of have a soft spot in my heart." STORYLINE: US Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division patrolled the streets of a Baghdad suburb on Sunday, conducting joint security operations with the local Iraqi military. The patrol, in the the Hayy-Rabiera district of Adhamiyah, was uneventful. Sergeant First Class Matthew Walker, a machine gunner, said the locals needed help "protecting their way of life," adding that patrols like his provided a safer environment. ''We give them that opportunity to have a safer environment for themselves, to carry on life as they should be able to without people terrorising the streets,'' Walker said. The soldiers shook hands and chatted to young Iraqis as well as handing out Easter eggs and soft toys. One soldier said he recognised a young girl from an earlier patrol, and that she reminded him of his daughters. ''I have a seven and an eight year old and home - so the girls kinda have a soft spot in my heart,'' said Staff Sergeant Darren Morgan. The patrol came a day ahead the fourth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad. Easter Sunday marked what Christians believe is the resurrection of Jesus and caps holy week, which includes Palm Sunday, in which Christians believe Jesus returned to Jerusalem, and Good Friday, which marks his crucifixion. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...