Career day enlightens students

Photo By Michael Molinaro | Students at the Al-Secuty secondary school in Obeid eagerly await to receive soccer balls from Iraqi highway patrolmen. The IHP went to the school and held a "Career Day" to talk about their jobs, the children's future and hand out school supplies and other items, like the soccer balls.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

04.28.2006

Courtesy Story

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FOB KALSU, Iraq " Iraqi highway patrolmen held a "Career Day" at the Al-Secuty secondary school in Obeid.

Accompanied by Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, the event was held to meet children from the area and explain to them what is involved in being an Iraqi highway patrolman.

"These kids deserve to meet who is responsible for protecting them and their families," said Capt. Satar Jabir, commander, North Babil IHP. "It is our duty to serve them, and that is why we came here today " to serve them."

IHP distributed backpacks, school supplies and soccer balls to more than 300 children who attend the school. Jabir and men from his force talked at great length about the duties and responsibilities of being an IHP and gave pep talks to the students about the future of Iraq.

You are all going to be champions one day!" explained Lt. Ahmed Mohammed, assistant police chief, IHP. "Every single day our country gets better and better. It is up to us to make it safe and up to you to make it prosper."

Soldiers from 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., helped unload supplies, provide security outside the school and talked to school administrators about repairs the school needs. Soldiers were invited to play a friendly game of soccer during the students" recess hour, and the students promptly showed them a thing or two about their favorite sport.

"It is important for the kids to see where their future lies, that there is a security force they can trust and depend on," said Capt. Eric Reed, commander, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Regt.

The Obeid and Shaka regions, predominate areas where the students reside, have been trouble spots in the past, Reed said. Having the IHP explain to the kids a good future awaits them here if they do the right thing could, over time, drastically change things in the area.

"Terrorists like to prey on the young," said Mohammed. "Getting (the children) to know the difference between right and wrong can crush the insurgency and allow Iraq to be great again."

• Date Taken: 04.28.2006
• Date Posted: 04.28.2006 15:50
• Story ID: 6176
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ