Following the dedication, U.S. soldiers and the villagers enjoyed a banquet and discussed issues.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Cross, battalion commander of 1st Special Troops Battalion, meets with local leaders from the village of Muzerfa, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2006, to dedicate a new water pump that provides water from the Tigris River for the village and irrigates the nearby farm fields. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Real)
By 1st Brigade Combat Team - 4th Infantry Division
TAJI, Iraq, Jan. 27, 2006 —The village of Muzerfa dedicated a new irrigation pump Jan. 19, symbolizing the cooperation between the citizens of Iraq and coalition forces.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Cross, the commander of 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, met with local leaders to dedicate the irrigation pump that will service the village and nearby farm fields.
"It went real well. I met Sheik Maghood and 30 men from the village related to him," said Cross. "We turned it (the pump) on and we got water."
After the dedication, the U.S. soldiers from 1st Special Troops Battalion and the local citizens enjoyed a banquet featuring local cuisine and discussed issues of mutual interest for two hours.
"They gave us a promise of lots of cooperation," Cross said.
This is an example of what lies ahead for the new Iraq -- Iraqi citizens cooperating with each other and enjoying a safe and secure environment, he added.
Water from the Tigris River is pumped into this pool for the citizens of Muzerfa, Iraq, Jan. 26, 2006, using the new irrigation pump. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Real)
