U.S. Soldiers increase security around voting sites

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Scott Stine, D Co., 1-64 Armor, civil military operations officer, guides a concrete barrier into place in front of a school in Baghdad. The school will serve as a polling place during the Oct. 15 referendum.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.11.2005

Courtesy Story

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Spc. Ben Brody
2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDAD -- Task Force Baghdad erected concrete barriers around Baghdad polling sites Sept. 21 as part of an ongoing effort to keep Iraqi citizens safe during the Oct. 15 referendum.

The Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor and 26th Forward Support Battalion brought barriers to three Al Ameen and Paladiat schools.

Because of their relative security and central locations, schools are commonly used as voting locations in Baghdad.

"This will help Iraqis vote in safety, which is crucial in a democracy," said Cpl. Luis Corea, a driver with A Co., 26th FSB.

Corea, from Waterbury, Conn., and Spc. Jason Bishop, also of A Co., and a resident of Augusta, Ga., loaded barriers from their vehicle to a forklift, which moved the huge barricades into position.

The Oct. 15 referendum will give Iraqis a chance to vote for or against the ratification of the country's new constitution.

The barriers will likely remain in place until the Dec. 15 governmental elections are complete.

At an Al Ameen polling place, school guard Ali Khalid came out to see what the commotion outside his school was. He emerged to find a large assortment of military vehicles and Soldiers working in the street.

"It is a very good thing for us to work with the U.S.," Khalid said. "We get the security, and people will come to vote."

Despite the late hour, residents gathered and watched Soldiers set up the barriers. Some offered tea, and many wanted their photographs taken with U.S. troops.

"People around here are pretty friendly with us. We haven't had too many problems," said Spc. Marcos Perez, a D Co., 1/64 Armor, tank driver and a Miami resident. "We come around sometimes giving out food, water, candy and shoes for kids. They're decent people."

"We've put barriers at seven locations so far -- the total will be about 20," said Capt. Scott Stine, civil affairs officer with D Co., 1-64 Armor. "The guards appreciate it, but most people don't see us putting them up. We're like the barrier fairy."

After completing the night's work, the convoy snaked through side roads back to Camp Rustamiyah, the home of both units.

Stine, from Hershey, Pa., said the barriers demonstrate to local citizens that Coalition Forces are looking out for them.

"It's a good project to make a visible difference in our sector," Stine said. "People see it and know we're concerned, and know we're here to help. We demonstrate that every chance we get."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2005
• Date Posted: 10.11.2005 16:10
• Story ID: 3270
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ