Playground Opens In Tahrir After A Rough History

Photo By Sgt. Adrian Muehe | A small Iraqi boy goes down a slide in a new playground in the Tahrir neighborhood of Baquba, Iraq. This area used to see heavy violence but is now safe for children to play in a park that was built as a cooperative effort between local Iraqi government officials and U.S. forces. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Adrian Muehe)  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

01.18.2010

Courtesy Story

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

By Pfc. Adrian Muehe

DIYALA, IRAQ — A crowd of children gather on a street corner bearing smiles from ear to ear in an area where, two years ago, no one was smiling. The kids are excited about the opening of a new playground in a community that saw some of the worst violence in Diyala, Iraq.

The park opened in the Tahrir neighborhood of Baquba, Iraq, on Jan. 17, after months of construction and cooperation between local officials and U.S. Forces. Making sure the area is safe and providing security for this project were Soldiers from Company B, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and Iraqi policemen.

"The neighborhood is a much safer place, but we always have to be vigilant," said Capt. Joshua Brandon, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, commander of Company B, 5/20 Inf.

Soldiers of Company B, 5/20 Inf., have been conducting joint patrols regularly with Iraqi Police in the area since their arrival in Diyala last September.

"This was really the government of Iraq's vision," said Maj. Toby Moore, the battalion executive officer for 5/20 Inf., who hails from Fayetteville, N.C. "They came up with the idea and we provided oversight."

Also assisting with this undertaking were Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div.

"I'm really happy to take part in this," said Capt. Jimmy Archange, a Miami, Fla., native and commander of Alpha Battery, 1/37th FA. "This demonstrates how Iraq is improving."

The finances for this project came from the Commanders Emergency Relief Program and local contractors started park construction in late November. Soldiers of Company B, 5/20 Inf., conducted assessments on the park, making sure the playground equipment was safe for children to play with.

When the park was ready for opening, people crowded around in anticipation. Children lined the fence, eagerly looking on with wide eyes at a playground they will be able to use for the first time. Parents and other adults were present with cameras, documenting this historic event for Tahrir.

Cutting the ribbon to open the park was Qaim Maqam Abdallah, the mayor of Baquba. After the cutting, he took a tour of the playground with other local officials, and the local media.

After the tour was over, children who had been waiting eagerly swarmed the park. The tallest thing inside was a slide that most of the kids ran toward, happy to finally use it after seeing it built.
"This is a good story for Iraq," said Capt. Archange, as kids entered the playground.

With children playing, the Soldiers from Company B, 5/20 Inf. preceded to their Stryker vehicles and Iraqi Police officers took charge of keeping the community safe.

"A couple years ago, U.S. forces wouldn't go to this neighborhood," said Capt. Brandon about the violence that used to dominate the region. "Now there's a playground here! This shows the long road Iraq has been on."

• Date Taken: 01.18.2010
• Date Posted: 01.21.2010 12:30
• Story ID: 44231
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ