Also in this edition:
‘Good Citizens’ clean-up streets of Abu T’shir Multi-National Division
Iraqis Learn About Business Development, Opportunities at Dhi Qar Conference
U.S. University Officials Visit Iraq to Forge Educational Links
Emergency room, youth center open in Seddah
Sharing success with Iraqi legal officers
Feature Stories
Iraqi Doctors, U.S. Army Special Forces Give Iraqi Boy Chance to Walk Again |
| TAJI — A 13 year-old boy from a remote area in southeast Iraq will soon learn how to walk again after using crutches for more than five years, with the help of Iraqi doctors and U.S. Army Special Forces. A Special Forces team medic met the boy, named Abbas, in June during a medical assistance visit to the region. Abbas’ right leg was broken during a vehicle accident. At the time of the accident, he was treated |
“The wound itself healed, but the bones never grew back together,” an SF surgeon said. “While he can still move his toes and foot he’s unable to put weight on the leg because the bones never healed.”
The SF team coordinated a trip to get x-rays and receive further consultations to see what options the family had for surgery and recovery.
“The procedure to fix his leg is complicated” said the SF surgeon. “Especially because he is still growing and the leg has been broken for five years.”
The SF team contacted the medical staff in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, to assist in locating a surgeon to do the procedure. After a review of Abbas’ condition, the doctors agreed to accept the case and perform the surgery. Abbas and a family member were transported to a hospital in Sulaymaniyah where doctors repaired the leg.
“The Kurdish people played an integral part in this operation,” said an SF operations officer. “They volunteered their facility, their time and their advanced medical skills. Most importantly, they showed compassion toward a fellow Iraqi child that was in need of their help.”
“Now it’s a waiting game for Abbas,” said the SF medic. “The surgery went well and in a few days Abbas’ stitches will come out, but there is still a long way to go.”
As for Abbas and his family, they are still excited that the surgery took place.
“I want to celebrate and praise God for this gift,” said a family member. “The doctors were wonderful and we were treated very well at the medical facility.”
“I’m very excited because soon I will be able to move around without help,” said Abbas. “I will be able to return to school and play like the other children.”
(Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO)
| Iraqis Learn About Business Development, Opportunities at Dhi Qar Conference |
| COB ADDER — Amidst cell phone rings and conversations, 17 Iraqis from Dhi Qar province received micro-grant instruction from Coalition forces at a small-business conference here on Jan. 17. Ten Iraqi women and seven men attended a joint seminar. The purpose of the event was to help stimulate economic growth in southern Iraq by educating potential business owners on using micro-grants to start and expand small businesses. |
Fruit Stand
Sharing success with Iraqi legal officers
BAGHDAD - The Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Col. Kenny Lassus, joined legal advisors and judges from the Ministry of Defense General Counsel’s Office in celebrating the promotion of five of their legal officers Jan 12. Brig. Gen. Ghani, Brig. Gen. Abdul Abbas, Col. Amad, Lt. Col. Hussein, and 1st Lt. Wassim were officially promoted on January 6th.
The occasion was particularly important given that promotions in the Iraqi Army only occur on one of two dates each year – January 6 or July 14. In keeping with the Iraqi tradition of showering celebrants with candy to express joy in their success, Lassus showered each of the promoted officers in turn.
The celebration recognized the accomplishments of these fine Iraqi officers and presented a great opportunity for Lassus to reinforce the partnership between the members of the MNSTC-I Office of the Staff Judge Advocate and the MoD General Counsel’s Office. Mohammed Soby, a Bilingual-Bicultural Advisor with MNSTC-I summarized the occasion by saying, “Having an American officer celebrate with the Iraqis in their tradition showed great respect for the Iraqis and made the event memorable for them. The Iraqi officers were honored by Col. Lassus’ participation.”
Your Move
Emergency room, youth center open in Seddah
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
SEDDAH, Iraq – Community members and Coalition forces participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of a new emergency room and youth center in Seddah Jan. 13.
The facilities, built solely with Iraqi government funds and by Iraqi contractors, serve as an accomplishment and milestone for the Seddah community and the people of Iraq.
“I want to say congratulations to the Seddah district citizens,” said Jabeer Al-Hamdanie, a chairman with the city’s council. “The project was supported with Iraqi government funding and, God willing, this project will open up opportunities for more building and improvements in this district.”
According to Ali Naama Azeez Alshamrie, the Mayor of Mussayib, the Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment were invited to the opening out of respect from the Seddah community and to show how Iraq and its people are capable of standing on their own and rebuilding their country.
The projects, which took nearly four months to finish, cost approximately $50,000.
The emergency room renovations included new bathrooms, additional patient rooms, an x-ray room and sanitary stations throughout the building. It also covered the cost of beds and necessary equipment needed to treat patients.
“The emergency room was well needed for this city,” said Eman Naeem Muhammad, a doctor at the facility. “Before, the patients suffered more because they had to go all the way to the hospital in Mussayib, which is about 45 minutes away.”
The youth center renovated through this project will now serve as a safe place for children of the community; where they can go and participate in community events and activities.
“We got this project done with the help of our local government, the Seddah District and the Babil Government,” said Alshamrie. “But we don’t want to forget our American brothers who helped make all this possible for us.”
The Soldiers of 1st Bn., 2nd Inf. Regt. monitored and helped facilitate the project. For the most part, they watched as the people of Iraq and their government took control and accomplished the mission.
Sneaking Off
U.S. University Officials Visit Iraq to Forge Educational Links
The American Embassy today welcomed a delegation of U.S. university officials visiting Iraq to participate in the Baghdad Forum for Iraqi and International Universities being held January 19-20. The 24-member U.S. delegation is here to confer with Iraqi higher education officials and to meet with prospective students about educational opportunities in the United States. The two-day event is sponsored by the Government of Iraq.
“We congratulate the Government of Iraq on this outstanding and far-sighted initiative. Strengthening ties between Iraq and American institutions of higher education benefits both our countries. Furthermore, this educational forum is an example of the benefits that come from Strategic Framework Agreement, which provides increased opportunities for cooperation,” said U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Ambassador Adam Ereli, who delivered remarks at the opening ceremony.
Representatives of 24 American universities representing a broad range of government-funded and private universities participated.
Friendly Faces
‘Good Citizens’ clean-up streets of Abu T’shir Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Local Iraqi citizens initiated clean-up efforts in the communities of Abu T’shir, Hadar and Saha, sweeping up trash and debris and making basic repairs to sidewalks in the neighborhoods of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district during the month of January.
Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, aided Iraqi Security Forces in providing security for a portion of the clean up Jan. 17.
The current security situation in Baghdad provides Iraqis in Abu T’shir the opportunity to beautify their neighborhoods and communities, said Khalid, an Iraqi citizen employed by local leaders to sweep and paint the curbs.
“There is no pressure,” Khalid explained. “I feel totally comfortable serving my people.”
The local neighborhood support councils and community leaders made the job opportunity possible, he said, adding that the administration is doing an excellent job in the neighborhoods, even despite their need for basic services such as electricity and sewer.
Khalid said that he will encourage other Iraqis to join the local program, and looks forward to eventually having a job with the government that will pay more and benefit his family.
Local citizens returned to work Jan. 10 after the community-led initiative was reinstated by Dr. Muayad Hamed, a prominent local community leader in the Doura, Abu T’shir and Hadar communities of southeastern Rashid, said Karim, a supervisor of the clean-up efforts in Abu T’shir.
Muayad, who manages the program for the communities, began the beautification project with financial support from the Rashid District Council and the Government of Iraq.
“The people of Abu T’shir are feeling happy and are comfortable picking up the trash daily,” said Karim, who said that community projects such as the clean-up would not have been possible last year before local security improved in the area.
Karim also said that the citizens use the opportunity to look for criminals and thugs, or anything out of the ordinary and will report to the Iraqi Security Forces, admitting that he is concerned about the large number of unemployed men in Abu T’shir.
The Iraqis are taking charge repairing roads, picking up trash and cleaning up their neighborhoods, said Staff Sgt. Arto Brown, a squad leader, assigned to Troop C, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
“I think it is a good thing for the country, getting the country back up on its feet,” Brown said. “The people are generally happy … and have pride in their community. They want to keep it clean and others will start following suit.”
Clean roads and beautiful neighborhoods also contribute to ongoing security efforts preventing criminals and terrorists from emplacing bombs in garbage piles along the road, explained Brown, who hails from Fort Meyers, Fla.
The implementation of the Security Agreement Jan. 1 impacted the troop’s mission to the point that Coalition Forces gave control to the ISF, who became more involved in providing security for their country, said Brown.
Security is good, and the Iraqi people are doing a good job working together to call in tips, helping ISF and CF to find weapons caches, roadside bombs and criminals, said Brown.
Stumble It!
