Posted on 02/15/2008 5:08:44 PM PST by SandRat
CAMP TAJI — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers recently conducted a consequence management mission, visiting local leaders of Fourteenth Ramadan, northwest of Baghdad. The Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior”, 25th Infantry Division, Soldiers conducted the mission in response to the recent assassination of one of the town’s local leaders.
“We visited to show our condolences for the loss of their local leader,” said 1st Lt. Marc Dudek, a native of Midlothian, Texas, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Bn. “We did this to let them know we care and want to continue to work with them to bring security and stability to the town.”
The mission was part of an effort to encourage local leaders to continue to take a stand against terrorists in their area.
“We want to make sure the people of Fourteenth Ramadan are not intimidated by the attack and to show them the Coalition forces are willing to protect them at all costs,” Dudek said. “Also, we went to show them that we are not intimidated by the terrorist attacks and will continue to work with the local leaders to bring security and stability to the area.”
While in the area, leaders spent some time talking about the situation in Fourteenth Ramadan and the needs of the community.
“All I care about is being able to have my children be able to go to school and come back home safely,” said a local leader. “I want my tribesmen and workers to be able to go to work and return home to their families every day safely.”
In response, Capt. Logan Veath, a native of Chadron, Neb., commander, Co. B, 1st Bn., said the local leaders need to work together with the Coalition forces to bring that kind of security and stability to the area.
The leadership said the attack in Fourteenth Ramadan was almost the same as a direct attack on them.
“The leaders of (1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt.) take it personally when tragedies like this happen in their area of operation,” said Dudek.
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