Soldiers Work to Improve Iraqi Neighborhood

Defend America ^ | July 29, 2004 | Army Pfc. Al Barrus

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Iraqi children swing around in one of the new toys at the Al Buwaib Qu’rter playground in Al Sadiya. The grand opening for the park included a ribbon cutting and soccer ball giveaway July 26 in the Battery B, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Brigade Combat Team, area of operations. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Al Barrus
Soldiers Work to Improve Iraqi Neighborhood
By U.S. Army Pfc. Al Barrus / 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
AL SADIYA, Baghdad, Iraq, July 29, 2004 - There were plenty of smiles around Al Sadiya on July 26, when a new playground was opened for the neighborhood. The Al Sadiya Neighborhood Council sponsored the project. Cake was served and soccer balls were handed out to the children. The project, within the area of operations of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Brigade Combat Team, began construction May 17 and cost $33,000, said Capt. Michael Levy, the battalion civil military operations officer. While most civil affairs project ideas come from the neighborhood councils, bringing this place of recreation was a concept developed by the troops. “We noticed that there are two schools in this area and there was an open space in the middle of them that wasn’t being used,” said Capt. Roberto Mercado, Battery B commander. “They didn’t ask for it, but it was something that came up from the battery. We wanted to utilize some open space to give the kids a place to play.” The battery is also working to improve other, more complicated and expensive portions in their neighborhood. They are in the process of implicating sewage and electrical improvements in the area as well, Mercado said.	U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Bauman, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, commander, joins community leaders in the ribbon cutting of the Al Buwaib Qu’rter children’s playground in Al Sadiya July 26. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Al Barrus For now, though, projects already underway are mainly focused toward the children. Refurbishment projects for two primary/secondary schools are ongoing. Additionally, a recently opened footbridge passing over a main road assists pedestrians, especially kids going to school, Mercado said. “These projects are great because the kids we help now will be the ones who delegate and run this country in the future,” Sgt. Morris Harris, a team leader in 1st platoon, Battery B, said. The playground opening marks the first of several projects to open in the neighborhood under the battery, and strengthens the local’s outlook toward American Forces. “When we first got to this neighborhood I would rate it as neutral toward us,” Mercado said. “But in the last two months when they have seen action on our part in that area they have been leaning more toward being pro-coalition. I wouldn’t say they’re quite there yet, but it’s going that way.”

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

                                                                                     

 

Good news (hearts and minds, troops and kids), ping!

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[windchime]

Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[prognostigaator]

bump

[cookcounty]

"“When we first got to this neighborhood I would rate it as neutral toward us,” Mercado said. “But in the last two months when they have seen action on our part in that area they have been leaning more toward being pro-coalition. I wouldn’t say they’re quite there yet, but it’s going that way.”

The god deeds plus the realization that the terorists want to kill those same kids is waking up a lot of people. I'm increasingly optomistic about Iraq.

[Living Stone]

Our troops ROCK!! Things are getting better over there every single day. We ARE going to win this thing.

[cookcounty]

ooops. "good" deeds, and "optimistic." I keep wanting to skip "preview" on anything short. Shame on me.

[agincourt1415]

God Bless the Troops!

[PGalt]

Thanks! Bump!

[TADSLOS]

Much more long term positive impact than any IED our enemies can muster in the short term to sabotage our efforts.

[Alamo-Girl]

Volley bump!

[FairOpinion]

PING for your


http://www.newsignored.com/


You may want to get on Ragtime Cowgirl's ping list, if you aren't already on it -- she finds all the good news from Iraq, which the media ignores.

[JimRed]

A Jazeera caption: American infidels trap children in spinning torture device...

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

god deeds plus the realization that the terorists want to kill those same kids is waking up a lot of people..

Amen! (^:

[T-Bird45]

Field Artillery bump!!!