Video from the frontlines: Freedom Journal Iraq, 4/17/08 (awesome news report!)

Soldiers with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., secure the area outside a school, which was used as a makeshift clinic during a medical engagement in Abu Amer, a small village in the Wasit province of Iraq, March 28. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis.

~~~~~

Iraqis Displaced from Homes Now Returning in Droves

BAGHDAD — With security improving, local economies flourishing and community reconstruction underway, Iraqis who once fled their South Baghdad homes in fear are now returning to the villages they deserted.

This is a good sign, said Maj. Mark Bailey, the officer in charge of the Multi-National Division – Center governance cell.

“Once people are convinced that security is good in their area, they come back,” said Bailey, who is with 401st Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to 3rd Infantry Division. “If they own a business, they re-open their business, which helps the economy.”

Out of the approximate 18,700 Iraqis who left their homes, it is estimated that 10,450 have returned, according to MND-C records.

Humanitarian aid provided by MND-C, the United Nations and the Iraqi government has been one method of reintegrating the newly returned citizens, Bailey said.

“The CA Battalion (supply section) provides humanitarian assistance packages to the (MND-C) brigade combat teams, and they hand those out where they’re needed,” he said. “It’s also a good way to gain people’s trust.”

~~~~

God bless and protect the most decent and brave troops on earth: the US military! Ditto for their Iraqi brothers in arms.

1 posted on 04/22/2008 9:52:16 AM PDT by STARWISE

To: 2LT Radix jr; 80 Square Miles; acad1228; AirForceMom; Alas Babylon!; AliVeritas; Anti-MSM; ...

2 posted on 04/22/2008 9:55:44 AM PDT by STARWISE (They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)

3 posted on 04/22/2008 9:57:39 AM PDT by E.G.C.

The Troops hard work is paying off and the Democrats opportunities to exploit attacks by a weak enemy are fewer and farther between.

4 posted on 04/22/2008 10:44:06 AM PDT by Son House (God Enlightened me through Charles Gibson, the top Income Tax Rate Should be 15% too!)

5 posted on 04/22/2008 10:58:59 AM PDT by phs3 (Call a terrorist a freedom fighter, I call you the enemy.)

To: Doctor Raoul; Jim Robinson; American Mom; Alamo-Girl; NordP; Lancey Howard; Enchante; ...

6 posted on 04/22/2008 11:47:34 AM PDT by STARWISE (They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)

Thanks for the ping!

7 posted on 04/22/2008 11:50:20 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl

8 posted on 04/22/2008 12:35:47 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)

To: jveritas; Allegra

9 posted on 04/22/2008 12:36:10 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)

10 posted on 04/22/2008 12:37:29 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)

11 posted on 04/22/2008 12:51:37 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)

To: STARWISE; 91B; HiJinx; Spiff; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; clintonh8r; TEXOKIE; windchime; ...

FR WAR NEWS!
If you would like to be added to / removed from FRWN,
please FReepmail Sandrat.

WARNING: FRWN can be an EXTREMELY HIGH-VOLUME PING LIST!!

12 posted on 04/22/2008 4:59:32 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794