Photo By Maj. Anna Friederich | Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd...... read more read more
FOB KALSU, Iraq " As Soldiers contemplated the mission ahead, there was certain energy in the air Wednesday as they checked their gear and vehicles and ate the remainder of their 'to-go" breakfasts from the dining facility here.
The Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, knew that although it was preparing for yet another combat patrol, what lay at the other end was well worth the journey.
Children in the area surrounding the small community of Diyarah, located in the northern Babil province, were much in need of school supplies and clothes. Some of the children who attend schools in Diyarah walk an average of three to four miles to receive an education.
They don't always have the tools they need to capitalize on the education offered them, that's why Spc. Howard Stricklin, dismount crew member, Co. D, 2-8 Inf., said he solicited the support of "anysoldier.com."
"This organization is actually for Soldiers, but I deviated from the norm by requesting items be sent for the children of Diyarah," said Stricklin. He heard about the organization through his roommate and promptly requested assistance through emails to the Website.
"It only took a couple of weeks to start receiving the supplies after my initial request," he said.
The Soldiers were pleasantly surprised to see the support coming from the organization, which is supported through donations from people all over the U.S., Stricklin added.
Accompanied by soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, Soldiers loaded all the goods in their "ruck" sacks and headed out to the town to knock on doors and offer the items to the families
This is a great way to build a stronger relationship with the local community, said 1st Lt. Andrew Merchant, platoon leader, Co. D, 2-8 Inf.. "Normally our missions are strictly combat patrols; this was the first time we conducted a mission where we focused explicitly on the children in the town," he added.
Merchant said when they first began conducting patrols through the town, the local citizens were a little reluctant to engage them in conversation.
"We show them our genuine concern for their well-being, and they seem to be very receptive. They understand that we are there to assist them through our partnership with the Iraqi army to achieve their very real goal of stability and prosperity," he said.
This is evident with the numerous projects in the Diyarah region scheduled to begin in the next several months. The Iraqi army compound located in the town is nearing the groundbreaking of needed renovations.
What was once a thriving market area outside the compound is now a ghost town. Two vehicle-born improvised-explosive devices exploded outside the compound last fall and destroyed the outer wall and a majority of the market.
The town is seeing scattered produce stands populate the area, and local citizens are beginning to feel a sense of security as the Iraqi soldiers are becoming increasingly competent in their security mission, said Merchant.
Contracts to improve the water system in the region were signed during the Diyarah city council meeting. The renovations will repair the existing water system, increasing the water supply to the population and improving the quality of water provided.
"We still have a long way to go in helping to bring back the stability and security in the region," said Stricklin.
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2006 07:21 |
| Story ID: | 6201 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 41 |
This work, CF Soldiers take education personally, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
