MOSUL AREA HOUSES OF WORSHIP RECEIVE HEATERS FROM 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (GoodNewsFromIraq-GNFI)

CentcomNews ^ | 19 Dec 03 | Centcom

[xzins]

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
	December 19, 2003 Release Number: 03-12-51 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MOSUL AREA HOUSES OF WORSHIP RECEIVE HEATERS FROM 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION MOSUL, Iraq – As part of a nearly $30,000 project to supply heaters to local mosques and churches, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Friday delivered 100 kerosene heating machines to the Ninevah province Ministry of Religious Affairs. To date, 200 additional heaters have been supplied to the ministry office, where Imams and Priests pick them up to heat their mosques and churches during the cold winter months. Fifty of those heaters went to local churches. The initiative was directed by Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) commanding general, as part of his continuing engagement policy, according to the division’s top chaplain. “He’s putting up the money for this. It’s money out of his office. I’m just the gopher to make it happen,” said Chap. (Lt. Col.) Chester Egert of Hampton, Va., division chaplain for 101st Airborne Division. Egert oversaw the Friday heater drop in Mosul. The heaters will of course serve more practical needs than just making goodwill with the citizens of Mosul. Mosques and churches with electrical heat will now have an insurance policy for when the power goes out. “It does make a dent in their needs,” Egert said. “They’re absolutely delighted to receive these heaters.” Egert and Dr. Saleh Khalif Saleh, Ninevah minister of religious affairs, have worked together for the heater drops and future plans to rebuild the ministry office, located just a block from the Mosul City Government Building. The building’s leaky roof has caused flooding in the basement, where archive files are stored, some of which are centuries old. “Some of their records and paperwork have been badly damaged,” according to Egert. Likely, not all of the 1,200 mosques in the Ninevah Province will receive a heater, but the efforts will continue. “On the sociopolitical side of things, I think it extends a hand to the local populace. You could say were both Guns and Roses,” said Chap. (Capt.) John Stutz of Austin, Tex., 101st Airborne Division chaplain. -30-

[Gumption]

As part of a nearly $30,000 project to supply heaters to local mosques and churches,

But what about the separation of church and state like it says in the Constitution? (/sarcasm)

That's sarcasm to us but deep political analysis to the other half of the voting population.

[xzins]

As a retired army chaplain let me assure you, Chaplains spend a GOB of Government Money.

We're tasked to provide/protect the soldiers' right of FULL "free exercise" at the most critical time of their young lives.

[Gumption]

As a retired army chaplain

Well, just dang. Thanks for your service and for bringing you knowledge and personal experience to FR.

BTW. How many millions in a "GOB"? ;^)

[xzins]

Good News Nrom Iraq To You (GNFITY = Nifty News Service)

Filling in for Ragtime Cowgirl

[xzins]

Big, big millions.....sheesh, just one small chapel anymore costs over a million.

Counting salaries, training, and programs of chaplains, assistants, re directors, family life counselors, etc., I'd say approaching 2-3 hundred million.

[radu]

Thanks for the post and the ping, xzins.

You could say were both Guns and Roses,” said Chap. (Capt.) John Stutz of Austin, Tex., 101st Airborne Division chaplain.

That's a good way of putting it. I hope to soon see the day when the "roses" outnumber the "guns".

[e_engineer]

Let's just hope that the embedded listening devices are well hidden, and this Space (heater) Based ELINT constellation provides the intel we need to properly target the terrorists.

[SwatTeam]

shhhhhhh

[windchime]

Bump!

[McGavin999]

Sounds like money well spent to me. Thank you for your service.

[xzins]

The chaplains are one of the smallest branches, and our budget one of the smallest budgets, but a small budget with DoD is still a HUGE pot of money.

[Calpernia]

Again, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I will freep mail you when I'm back on tomorrow. It will be after my daughter's game...but I will give you a heads up as to when I'm here helping.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Bless you and thank you for your service.

[MEG33]

Thanks for your good news.God bless our chaplains.

[blackie]

MOSUL AREA HOUSES OF WORSHIP RECEIVE HEATERS FROM 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION ~ Bump!