Photo By Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda | Pfc. Dominique McKinsley, a security guard with the 254th Quartermaster Company, shops...... read more read more
CAMP CEDAR, Iraq " The 119th Corps Support Battalion held a bazaar here Nov. 5 and 6 where servicemembers and civilians working on post had the opportunity to shop from local vendors at low prices.
In what appeared to be an open market, Soldiers had the opportunity to buy rugs, jewelry, ceramics, antiques, lighters, knives, swords, blankets and a laundry list of local and regional items from vendors.
"Probably just about anyone who can come down here, comes," said Sgt. 1st Class James Prus, a base support noncommissioned officer with the 119th who helped organize the event. "They don't miss this because the prices are as low as they can go. [The vendors] have no overhead," he said, noting that because the bazaar is held in the open, the vendors don't have to worry about the cost of renting space.
Twelve local vendors were recruited and screened through a rigorous security process before being allowed to attend the bazaar at Cedar. Sgt. Frank Anaya, one of the event organizers with the 119th, said that most of the vendors were local families who usually set up shops along the roads between Cedar and Camp Adder. Soldiers are prohibited from shopping at such sites because of security reasons, but are nevertheless attracted to the prices of the goods available.
"These are guys who are out there seven days a week, feeding their family," Anaya said of the vendors. "They like coming because usually they do more in one day here than in three days out there."
Actually, vendors reported that what they made in the two days at the bazaar was equivalent to a month of sales out on the street. For example, rugs and artifacts vendor Katan Adnan said that on the first day of the sale he sold approximately 40 items. He didn't sell half that many the previous month out on the street. The bazaar is a huge necessary boost to his income, given that he supports an extended household of 10 people, including his parents, wife, and four children, he said.
The event was a win-win situation because Soldiers also get a deal.
"The best deals are probably the carpets, which run from $30 to $150," said Prus, while eying an elaborate rug for his own purchase.
The 119th held two bazaars during its deployment and as it prepares to leave Iraq, the unit encouraged other organizations to do the same.
"That bazaar is a very good thing," said Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Wright of the 119th and the command sergeant major of the post. "We put them through some pretty stiff security."
He said that all vehicles were checked and cleared and that the vendors went through extensive background checks.
"That's what we are here for " to try and help them out," Wright said. "We are helping them and Soldiers get to buy local goods. Everybody is happy."
A new command will decide whether to continue the program.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2005 10:32 |
| Story ID: | 3776 |
| Location: | CAMP CEDAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 23 |
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