Posted on 01/19/2006 9:47:01 PM PST by SandRat
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Jan. 18, 2006) -- Marines assigned to the 6th Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Marine Division, prove there is another side of the story to tell as they continue to carry out their missions to provide guidance within Al Anbar province, the largest province in Iraq.
“The stories that we don’t hear enough about – the good news stories about making lives better and a nation stronger – that’s what the civil affairs Marines do every day in Iraq,” said Col. Paul Brier, commanding officer, 6th CAG.
The group arrived in September to help rebuild the infrastructure and assist in facilitating the transition into a self-governing people.
“We’re helping the people of Iraq, and I honestly believe it’s come a long way from where we were,” said Sgt. Richard F. Litto, team chief, Team 3, Detachment 4, 6th CAG. “Schools have been built, roads are being repaired, water supplies are coming back into the neighborhoods, and people are actually smiling at us. That’s pretty good.”
Recently, members of Litto’s team visited the site of one of their first projects, a school the team adopted in Fallujah.
“We followed it right through several different phases as far as assessing it, finding a contractor, obtaining funds and making payments,” said Litto, a reserve Marine and native of Boston. “We went through the whole process from start to finish, and we became very friendly with administrators, teachers and students. It was pretty awesome to go from beginning to end.”
The team returned to the school after the renovation process was complete to drop off supplies.
“It was like we went to school there as kids,” said Litto. “When I look at these kids, I can see my kids. We can all see our children there. That’s the innocence and it makes it all worth it.”
During their visit, the team also visited families in need medical care and handed medicinal supplies for treatment. Navy Lt. Troy J. Handojo, medical officer, battalion aid station, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, interacted with local residents he came across who needed medical assistance.
“Although we are not always able to provide extensive medical care we can provide basic initial therapies,” said Handojo, a Covina, Calif., native. “We’ve seen a number of cases. It’s always satisfying to be able to help the Iraqi people, and they have expressed gratitude toward us. I think, however, bigger impact in improving health in this country will come when the infrastructure is strengthened. For example, having clean, potable water, reliable waste disposal, education, health and safety regulatory agencies, and of course healthcare will all have a greater role in ensuring public health.”
Litto said there is a notable difference in the attitudes of residents who come in contact with the civil affairs team, and it’s a gratifying experience for the Marines who visit the markets and see people shopping and walking down the street not having to look over their shoulder in fear.
“People are coming out,” said Litto. “Maybe some people don’t express it as openly as they’d like to. I spoke to a man who said, ‘America is good. Thank you for being here.’ But he said it in a whisper.”
Litto remembers an enlightening moment while on a mission in Fallujah. The team was visiting a neighborhood when he noticed a woman holding a baby in her hands at her gate. He contemplated whether or not he should walk over and give her supplies.
“You can’t approach women,” said Litto. “You have to stay in your lane and we’re taught that with civil affairs training as far as cultural differences. I didn’t make eye contact with this woman because I didn’t want to offend her. I saw her child, and I walked over there with a big bag of toys and handed them to her three or four-year-old child. The husband came running over and I thought, ‘Oh no, what did I do wrong?’ He thanked me and shook my hand.”
Litto politely asked the husband if he could take a picture with his family and the mother took her baby and placed him in Litto’s arms.
“That was just an incredible situation to be in,” said Litto. “It was something I’ll never forget. That to me was them showing respect to me.”
The civil affairs team continues to improve the local environment on a daily basis leaving their footprint in the road to democracy.
“There have been some tough times in Iraq, and yes things are getting progressively better,” said Litto. “But if you show people that you care about their families and that you’re willing to help their families it changes people. They can see the sincerity in it. Sure there are problems and there will be problems, but they’re far and few between, which is a good thing.”
Civil Affairs Makes New Friends.
Exactly!
Thanks for the great post, wish there were many, many more just like it.
BTTT
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
