Photo By Sgt. Spencer Case | Perched on a rooftop of an elementary school, 1st Sgt. Olafson, who advises Iraqi...... read more read more
LSA ADDER, Iraq - More than 500 residents of Al Harza Village, Iraq, gathered at an elementary school to take advantage of free health care and humanitarian goods provided by U.S. troops.
Parents brought forward young children, who hid shyly in their mothers" black abayaahs, to see the U.S. doctors for common ailments like ear infections and colds. Older children at the humanitarian assistance line were less shy, crowding to be the next to pick a pair of shoes and a toy from the pile of wares donated by civilians in the U.S.
In the meantime, Iraqi security forces ensured no uninvited insurgents would disturb the peace. They could be seen maintaining crowd control and helping Soldiers keep a tightly guarded perimeter.
Maj. Joseph Rohrer, a civil affairs officer for the 48th Brigade Combat Team, said the recent Medical Civil Affairs Programs (MEDCAP) was the largest and most successful of the four the 48th BCT has conducted since arriving at Logistical Support Area Adder in November.
"To look at the overall coordination and cooperation between U.S. forces, the Iraqi security forces, the local Iraqi government and the local tribal leaders, everybody played a part in this," Rohrer said, "and it was textbook as far as who you"d want to participate in this kind of event."
Many of the Iraqis involved in coordinating the MEDCAP made appearances. Council members from the Dhi Qar province government, the sheik of Al Harza Village, and a representative of the Iraqi Ministry of Health were all present at the MEDCAP. Most expressed gratitude to the troops for the service they were providing.
Local Iraqis were not the only ones who felt they benefited from the interaction. For Air Force Lt. Col. Ron Johanson, one of four U.S. doctors at the MEDCAP, this was a day to remember.
"Experiences like this give you a different perspective on the Iraqi people and help you understand the difference between winning the war and winning the peace," said Johanson, who treated 30 patients during the event.
He added that the MEDCAPs, "give the Iraqis a chance to see a different side of the Americans, a more human side."
When the humvees rolled away from the small village six hours later, the difference the troops had made was evident.
A total of 100 Iraqi patents had visited the four U.S. doctors for alleviation of problems such as arthritis, asthma and stomach problems.
Children who had been wandering the dirt streets barefoot a few hours earlier were happily chasing a soccer ball with feet sheathed in an assortment of recycled sandals, sneakers and dress shoes.
Troops who had never been outside the wire returned with their digital cameras full of snapshots of playful Iraqi children.
For the troops and Iraqis alike, the MEDCAP was a job well done.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2006 13:31 |
| Story ID: | 6117 |
| Location: | TALLIL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 21 |
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