TF 1 AD Honors Iraqis for Service to Baghdad’s Communities
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from Task Force 1st Armored Division, along with personnel from the Coalition Provisional Authority, recognized Baghdad’s police, facility protection and civil defense guardsmen who acted valorously or made significant sacrifices in the line of duty Jan 9.
More than 180 awardees were honored during the ceremony at the Iraqi Convention Center in central Baghdad for outstanding acts in the name of peace and security in their country.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 1st Armored Division commander, along with various ministries and advisory council chairmen, expressed gratitude for the hard work and willing spirits of the civil servants for making Iraq a safer place.
“All of the officers honored today have bravely committed themselves to the task of restoring peace and bringing freedom to Baghdad,” Dempsey said. “Your sacrifice and demonstrated valor provide a tremendous example to all officers in uniform. Through your example, other officers will strive to dedicate themselves to securing the peace in Baghdad and be reminded that it is an honor to serve your country.”
“These awards are for the (Iraqi Police Services), (Facility Protection Services) and (Iraqi Civil Defense Corps) members who were injured or killed, or committed heroic acts in the line of duty,” said Maj. Linda Scharf, civil military officer for 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. “Family members of those who were killed went up on stage to accept the awards for their loved ones.”
The official party pinned each medal on the chest of, and personally congratulated, each awardee.
The valor and sacrifice medals are emblazoned with an outline map of Iraq and the slogan, “Serving the country is an honor.” Each medal was accompanied by a monetary award.
“The 1st Armored Division finds it important to award a job well done not only for soldiers, but also for the IPS, FPS and ICDC,” said Scharf. “All these men here are committed to their duties and are stepping out and making sacrifices for their country and their people. They are working to make Baghdad more secure, and they deserve recognition for that.”
Scharf said the recognition ceremony contributes to the morale and motivation of Iraq’s civil servicemen.
“These men have shown they will pay the price to see a better Iraq,” she said. “Today was a step in that direction.”