Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | A member of the Iraqi national police stands behind three gold-painted shovels while...... read more read more
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By Spc. David Hodge
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Leaders from Multi-National Division – Baghdad, the Iraqi security forces and the government of Iraq broke new ground July 5 in the median of a major thoroughfare in Baghdad.
Prominent Iraqi leaders manned three honorary shovels each to move a small piece of Earth that signaled the start of a large revitalization effort for a stretch of highway leading from the Baghdad International Airport east into the heart of the city.
"Today on Airport Road, we had the ground breaking ceremony, which the mayor of Baghdad presided over," said Col. Ted Martin, the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. "It was a great day for all of Iraq. I am proud to say that I stand beside my Iraqi brothers on this great day."
When people fly into the airport and come to visit Baghdad, they will drive down Airport Road and see the best Iraq has to offer, added Martin, who hails from Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
"Airport Road is the new beginning for southern Baghdad," Martin explained. "With the ISF standing side-by-side with the mayor of Baghdad, we are able to have this ceremony."
Many ISF, Rashid District Council, local and GoI leaders used the event to celebrate the large reconstruction project and to thank MND-B for its help with security in the Iraqi capital.
"Progress starts from here," said Dr. Moayad Hamed, the lead contractor in charge of constructing the area which the ceremony was held. "This is a positive step forward in the building of Iraq. I hope the government understands the hard work of coalition forces and moves only forward from here."
Hamed, who was in charge of the groundwork for the ceremony, said the many hours of labor paid off.
"I created a nice setting for the ceremony – in only took four days, with many workers out here 24-hours each day," Hamed said. "I hope it showed the people in attendance how nice Iraq could look with enough effort and security."
One of the adornments, a decorative-art sailboat, displayed both the Iraqi flag and 4th Inf. Div. patch.
"The ship represents the country of Iraq, and the sail represents (CF)," explained Hamed. "The sail (CF) helps the boat (the country of Iraq) move forward."
A trademark of many Iraqi ceremonies, a man recited a prayer from the Quran. Othman al Haythm Karim said he enjoyed his opportunity to be a part of Iraq's history.
"I was excited to read from the Quran at the ceremony because the book comes from God," said Othman al Haythm Karim. "This construction project marks a good day for Iraq."
Dr. Saber al-Esawi, the mayor of Baghdad and the event's guest speaker, spoke about the importance of Airport Road and how the ISF plays a vital part in allowing events like these to take place.
"The (ISF) played a huge role in chasing out the terrorists," Esawi stated. "They lost many soldiers in the process. The residents took notice and know that without that support, they would have no projects."
Over the past two months, the security situation has changed for the better, stated Martin, with many of the special-groups criminal cells and militia leaders departing the area.
"Due to the security of the Rashid district, we are now able to shift our efforts from full-spectrum combat operations toward helping rebuild and make life better for the people of Baghdad," explained Martin. "That is victory my friends!"
Reconstruction projects similar to the Airport Road revitalization will continue to happen at many locations in the Rashid district, said Martin, adding that the people have decided that with the terrorists and criminals there is no future for Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 07.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2008 09:08 |
| Story ID: | 21225 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 60 |
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