Posted on 10/06/2004 10:25:54 AM PDT by Mike Fieschko
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 6, 2004 – Work to restore a dilapidated Tashree neighborhood playground was finished Sept. 28 as a part of multi-national force efforts to improve the quality of life for local residents.The project took two weeks to complete, cost $30,000 and employed 10 local laborers.
“This project is two things … a soccer field-slash-basketball court,” Capt. Alexander Rasmussen, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, projects officer said. “The other half of this project was streetlights in the complex for security.”
Home to thousands of Iraqi citizens and completely enclosed within the International Zone, Tashree is positioned right at the doorstep of the Interim Iraqi Government. This makes security and stability a high priority for the neighborhood.
“No one likes to walk down the street at night, in the dark,” Rasmussen said. “When we say security, people automatically think ‘terrorism,' but it's also just regular crime.”
Although crime has not been disproportionately bad in the area, security lights were a priority for the neighborhood council. A team from Company B, 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, a Florida Army Reserve unit attached to the 1st Cavalry Division, identified the playfield as being in need of renovation.
“You have security on the one hand, and then something for the kids on the other,” he said. “An extracurricular activity for them in the off-time after school rather than them sitting around and getting into trouble … Security is very important considering the vital operations you have (here).”
Area residents were pleased with the improvements and, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony, enjoyed cake amid a sea of rambunctious children.
“When (the kids) saw this thing, their eyes got real big, and they were like, ‘Wow, this is cool,'” Rasmussen said. “It's been a pleasure to work with the (neighborhood) council on this project. It's very rewarding for all the local leaders as well as (the soldiers) to see the kids enjoying something.”
One area resident, Adel Abbas, a man far too old to join in with the swarming kids, expressed his jealousy of the fun that the kids were having all around him.
”This is an area that will keep them safe, so they won't go in the streets,” he said. “It is dangerous there, where cars are coming and going.”
“When Saddam (Hussein) was in power, they deprived us of these things,” he said. “I am very happy. It is a good thing to see these kids spend their time here.”
How dare they report about this insignificant news! {/sarcasm}
Another story that the MSM will make every effort to bury!
Cool
Riiiiight....
Way cool.
Red
And may God protect the collaborator children who play in this playground.
/Sarcasm off.
Let's get these POSITIVE stories out there!! On Tony Snow's program now on radio they are talking about this very thing, how much our troops have done there and how little it is covered. All we hear about are bombings and deaths, not the amazing progress.
Ah, that warms my heart.
Look at those smiles. Happy kids enjoying being children.
=== [Army at work]
I should hope not.
I'm all for the troops spending the Free Time available in year-long hitches in Iraq as they please but the "work" of the military is not rebuilding playgrounds.
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