Anchorman John Karcher and photojournalist John Wacker spent eight days in Iraq. They kept a daily online journal on Channel 3000 and sent back digital photos. Now, their packages are airing on News 3 all this week. You can send them a message, using our online forum here.

---

NEWS 3 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT: BAGHDAD News 3 Returns From Special Assignment: Iraq ONLINE FORUM -- Send A Message Chat Transcript ONLINE JOURNAL READ: Jan. 13 READ: Jan. 14 READ: Jan. 15 READ: Jan. 16 READ: Jan. 17 READ: Jan. 18 READ: Final Journal Entry SLIDESHOWS SLIDESHOW: Inside The Cockpit Of C-130 Meet The Troops See First Digital Pictures Faces Of The New Iraq As Poor As It Gets Iraq Traffic Jams Iraqi Firearms Training Poor Iraqi 'Street Boys' Baghdad: Abandoned Carnival See 4th Platoon Black Sheep At Work VIDEO Soldier Describes Scene Where Rachel Bosveld Died 'She Was A Good Soldier' Message To Rachel's Parents Karcher's War Coverage Connects Students With Soldiers

This is the first time ever TV cameras have been allowed into Mother Teresa Orphanage in Iraq.

Inside, there is no fear, no war -- just soldiers and kids.

Members of the 32nd visit there twice a week. Each hook up with their special friend.

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT FAQ: How To Get Video Copies VIDEO NEWS 3 THIS MORNING What Do MREs Really Taste Like? LIVE AT FIVE WATCH: 'Behind Closed Doors' Of Presidential Palace With Capt. Southworth WATCH: Fit At Five: Army Style WATCH: Cruising With Karch NEWS 3 AT SIX Soldier Mourns For Slain Adams County Deputy, Friend, Partner Soldiers Remember Rachel Bosveld Tuesday, News 3 At Six NEWS 3 AT TEN WATCH REPORT: Overview Of Trip WATCH REPORT: The Mission WATCH REPORT: Dangers WATCH REPORT: Living Conditions WATCH REPORT: Mother Teresa Orphanage News 3 Special Assignment: Wrap-Up STORIES Trip Overview Training New Iraqi Police Soldiers Dedicate Range To Rachel Bosveld At Home In A War Zone News 3 Delivers Video Message To Soldier's Wife Soldiers Connect With Iraqi Orphans Wrap Up

The kids are abandoned by parents who couldn't pay medical bills. Some are found on curbs. Some are victims of war without families.

"It's nice to hang out with some kids once in a while, to take the edge off normal combat duties here in town," said Sgt Wade Hallett.

Cpt Scott Southworth is in the processing of adopting one boy, who was found on a road seven years ago. He now speaks English as well as Arabic.

There's Mustafa, Nancy, Omar, Yassir, Fatimah, Haidar and Ala.

Lt Sheree Gunderson of Ellsworth works with a special child as well. His mom has cancer. His father left. Relatives took two of the kids but didn't want him because he's disabled.

Gunderson plans to use her own money to help pay for his needed heart surgery.

"It helps me more than it helps them," she said. "It takes my mind away from everything that I'm here for and they make me laugh."

From Waupun, From Janesville and all points in between, hundreds of boxes from kids like this poured in when word hit Wisconsin these kids were in need.

It's warmed a lot of hearts in this war zone.

Besides the weekly visits here, members of the 32nd had a Christmas party for 103 Iraqi children. Gunderson said they had 290 presents, each containing about five gifts -- all from Wisconsin.