Posted on 06/08/2010 4:01:59 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD – A medical team comprised of Soldiers from United States Division – Center traveled to a small town south of the Iraqi capital to help residents with medical needs, June 1.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jen Wardynski, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, speaks to a father about the health of his young daughter during a joint medical engagement in the town of Qarghuli, south of Baghdad, June 1, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Phillip Valentine.
As Iraqi Security Forces secured the perimeter, members of 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, visited the medical clinic in Qarghuli to conduct a combined medical engagement. The event provided basic medical care and medicines for the residents and displayed the American commitment of partnering with Iraqis.
"[The medical engagement] promotes better relationships between the two different cultures," said Los Angeles native Spc. Tomas Martinez, a medic assigned to HHC, 2nd Bn. "I like helping people. That's why I chose to be a medic."
As residents arrived, they were routed to appropriate physicians based on their needs. Fort Benning, Ga. native, Capt. Kathryn Payne, battalion surgeon assigned to 1st Bn., 41st Field Artillery, 1st AAB, took care of the women and children. As a pediatric physician, Payne said she enjoyed the opportunity to examine and interact with Iraqi youth.
"I enjoy seeing kids, so any chance I get to see them, I will;" she said, “even if it is just giving them some toothpaste and a toothbrush."
She said she hopes conducting missions such as this will influence the Iraqi people to think kindly of Americans and continue working toward partnership with the United States.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Whitaker, a native of Rancho Cordova, Calif., and senior treatment non-commissioned officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., said he also enjoyed helping the children.
"We are here to do some good and if we help in the long run, that's great," said Whitaker. "It is gratifying when people walk away with a smile."
West Point, N.Y., native, 2nd Lt. Jen Wardynski, assigned to 1st AAB, helped coordinate the medical side of the event. She believes missions like this help foster stronger ties within the Iraqi communities.
"As we get closer to closing up and leaving, it is important to do all we can to leave on good terms," she said. "It is good for them to see Americans in the right light, not just the big guns."
Wardynski said USD-C medical personnel are doing the best they can and hopes the Iraqi people, no matter what their politics are, see that U.S. Soldiers are good people and want to help.
Let’s pray that the honest and sincere efforts of our troops will not, in the long run, be in vain.
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