Humanitarian aid met with smiles

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^

[SandRat]

BAGHDAD — Humanitarian assistance packages were delivered to displaced families at the Al-Salaam Neighborhood Advisory Council by Multi-National Division—Baghdad Soldiers March 29. Through coordination with the Neighborhood Advisory Council, U.S. Army Capt. Benjamin Morales, commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and his paratroopers delivered boxes of food, oils and sanitation supplies.

The NAC senior leadership insisted the exchange be made after the meeting, so residents of Al-Salaam could see the progress made through cooperation with Iraqi and Coalition security forces.

“It will be good for the community to see how much we trust each other,” said Abu Hussein, the Al-Salaam NAC leader. “They will realize that working with Iraqi and American forces can bring peace and happiness.”

At noon, Morales’s company arrived with a cargo truck full of humanitarian aid boxes and backed up to the gates of the council building.

At first, hesitant bystanders looked puzzled as the council members and MND-B Soldiers gathered near the rear of the truck. The more people realized what was happening, the more they gathered and gave a helping hand.

The MND-B troops who were offloading boxes were soon pushed aside by smiling, giddy children. The children ran as fast as they could, with as many boxes as they could hold and carried them into the NAC building.

As Fardh Al-Qanoon gains momentum, Iraqi citizens have begun to step outside of their homes to help Iraqi and Coalition forces complete the objective of security and peace.

(By 1st Lt. Lawrence Rubal, 1st Bn., 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

Iraqi Army forces conducted an early-morning operation on April 4 in Baghdad, capturing 10 suspects believed to be involved in a major terrorist cell.

Iraqi Security forces conducted a raid operation on April 3 in Nineveh Province, detaining two suspects believed to be involved in insurgent activities.

[SandRat]

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and local residents unload bundles of blankets and humanitarian aid boxes from the back of a cargo truck at the Al-Salaam Neighborhood Advisory Council building in Baghdad, March 29. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Remington Schilling, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.

In other developments throughout Iraq:

Iraqi Army forces conducted an early-morning operation on April 4 in Baghdad, capturing 10 suspects believed to be involved in a major terrorist cell.

Iraqi Security forces conducted a raid operation on April 3 in Nineveh Province, detaining two suspects believed to be involved in insurgent activities.

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• Detainee dies at Camp Cropper
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• Coalition force members and elements of Iraq Army’s 7th Division launch Operation Harris Ba’sil

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

SandRat? Do you know of a source where I can “adopt” an Iraqi family?

I’ve done the “Afghans for Afghans” thing, and it was very rewarding. I’ve sent plenty of packages to friends and family currently serving over there, too.

Any links or help you or others can give me would be appreciated. :)

[Txsleuth]

Boy...you don’t even know how glad I am to see this story tonight.

Ugh...the news is SO negative today.

[SandRat]

I’d say first stop would be the International Red Cross web site, followed by your local Church or Parish.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks! Didn’t think of the IRC. I’m between churches right now...I’m currently looking for a new ‘home,’ as it were. ;)

[SandRat]

Now you have an extra question to ask the Pastor when you’re searching for a new Church Home.

[petertare]

Sadly much of this will be resold.

What the heck are paratroops doing in the first ID? I just dont get this army nomenclature. Since when did the first become airborne?

Must mean they are attached temporariy to the First from the 82nd?

This sailor get confused eagerly and often.

[SandRat]

As easily as this old soldier does trying to figure out AF NCO ranks.