“You are all going to be champions one day!” explained Lt. Ahmed Mohammed, assistant police chief, IHP. “Every single day our country gets better and better. It is up to us to make it safe and up to you to make it prosper.” Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, helped unload supplies, provide security outside the school and talked to school administrators about repairs the school needs. Soldiers were invited to play a friendly game of soccer during the students’ recess hour, and the students promptly showed them a thing or two about their favorite sport. “It is important for the kids to see where their future lies, that there is a security force they can trust and depend on,” said Capt. Eric Reed, commander, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 8th Inf. Regt. The Obeid and Shaka regions, predominate areas where the students reside, have been trouble spots in the past, Reed said. Having the IHP explain to the kids a good future awaits them here if they do the right thing could, over time, drastically change things in the area. “Terrorists like to prey on the young,” said Mohammed. “Getting (the children) to know the difference between right and wrong can crush the insurgency and allow Iraq to be great again.” |