Posted on 11/05/2009 3:55:16 PM PST by SandRat
MOSUL — U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces delivered 400 new desks and chairs to the Qosh High School in northern Ninewah province, Oct. 31.
The furniture delivery was the culmination of the school's opening and the final project for Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division
"The ministry of education built them a new high school, but was unable to furnish it with desks and chairs so we were able to fill in that gap," said Capt. Joseph Himpelmann, the commander of Btry. B and a native of Waukegan, Ill.
After local civic leaders identified the need for furniture at their new school, Btry. B submitted the request for funds to complete the project. Once given the go-ahead, the battery chose a local contractor and the process was on its way.
"The whole process came together today from our relationship with local leaders to meet an urgent and compelling need in the community," Himpelmann said.
As the bell rang for recess between classes, teenage boys spilled into the freshly painted halls of the high school. They were eager to help unload the furniture from the truck parked on the street outside the school.
This project ties into 3rd HBCT's mission of refocusing efforts on reconstruction outside Mosul after June 30.
"Due to the availability of forces for the past five years, the U.S. has focused inside the city limits of Mosul,” Himpelmann said. “For us to be able to go out and expand our reach outside the city proper and visit some of these cities and villages that haven't seen the U.S. presence or the civil affairs projects, really adds to the stability of the area as we prepare to transition out of Iraq."
For Himpelmann and his battery, this was the last of many reconstruction projects they have completed during their year-long deployment in Mosul.
"Altogether, we've completed about 35 projects, employed close to 3,000 people and spent in excess of $1.5 million for my battery alone," said Himpelmann. "We had to complete our projects that we were responsible for no later than Nov. 1, so we went right up to the wire to get them done."
Over the course of their deployment, Btry. B not only provided furniture to local schools, but has also organized trash clean-up and sewage projects and opened soccer fields and recreational parks creating sustainable, lasting services for Iraqis throughout Ninewah province.
Sadly, your posts are going to be a whisper in the wilderness after what happened at Ft. Hood today. :(
BUMP!
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