School Reopens in West Adhamiyah
Friday, 31 October 2008
BAGHDAD — Rebuilding schools is a top priority for Multi-National Division – Baghdad to eliminate terrorist and criminal activities and set the condition for a brighter future for Iraqi youth.
Al Tajadud school in the Adhamiyah District of Baghdad reopened, Oct. 26, after undergoing a two-month-long renovation. With $220,000 from the government of Iraq, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division facilitated the rebuilding of this important infrastructure.
“There have been some challenges to get schools funded and rebuilt here in Iraq,” said Capt. Patrick Soule, a native of Poth, Texas and commander for D Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, currently attached to 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment.
Soule said the school is a two-session school, each one having their own name. The morning session is Al Tajadud school, which is a boys and girls elementary school. The afternoon session is called Al Abda school, which is an all-girls junior high school.
The school, built in the 1960’s, was in desperate need of work after witnessing several years of fierce fighting and its use as a mortar platform by terrorists and criminals.
“The school was in bad shape when it was recommended to us by the local NAC [Neighborhood Action Committee]. You could tell it was pretty shot up,” said 1st Lt. Rosita Rodriguez, a native of Morristown, N.J., and team chief of C Company, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
Rodriguez said the improvements made included new classrooms, new roof and floor, a completely new electrical network, and additional bathrooms with a complete sewer network. The outside was painted tan with a green trim and a play ground was installed in the courtyard consisting of a basketball court and volleyball net.
The school’s headmaster said the new facility is a complete turn around from less than a year ago, confirming that terrorists used to lob mortars from the courtyard of the school.
“It was notorious for finding [weapon] caches,” Rodriguez said.
The official opening of the school was marked with a ribbon cutting by Omar Rahmani, vice chairman for the Adhamiyah District Advisory Council, followed by a poem in Arabic recited by the boys and girls of the elementary school. The children clapped in rhythm welcoming all guests, and thanking everyone for their “prettier school.”
The pomp and circumstance continued when a young Iraqi boy stood in front of all the guests and sang a traditional Iraqi song. Then Iraqi girls from the junior high school passed out refreshments, as a group of students recited lines in English they had learned from their textbooks.
Soul said he believes education is the cornerstone that will help rebuild Iraq and give the Iraqi people confidence in their government and the local leaders.
“It’s a good step forward,” Soule said, “putting money back into the schools and investing in future generations.”
(By 2nd Lt. Josh Woodke, 4th Infantry Division)
U.S. Hopes to Resolve Differences Over Iraq Agreement, Official Says
WASHINGTON — The United States is holding out hope that issues delaying a status of forces agreement (SOFA) with Iraq will be resolved before the United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing U.S. forces there expires Dec. 31, a senior Pentagon official said Wednesday.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said at a news conference that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is translating written issues submitted by the Iraqi government, and expects a “very deliberate” review to follow.
Promises Kept: �Sons of Iraq� Train to Become Iraqi Police
BAGHDAD — More than 600 ‘Sons of Iraq’ (SoI) began in-processing at the Al Furat Iraqi Police Training Center here, Oct. 29.
As SoI begin the transition into the Iraqi security forces, these SoI are officially signed in as Iraqi Police (IP) recruits and will begin a four-week basic recruit training course, which will result in the SoI becoming Shurta (Police).
| GOI Vows Support for Jurf as-Sakhr Farmers, Agriculture |
|
FOB KALSU — The embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, the Babil PRT and Provincial Council chairman, Muhammad Ali Hussein al-Masoudi, met with local sheikhs and Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Jurf as-Sakhr to discuss agricultural issues in the area, Oct. 28. |
Interactive Iraq :: Video News
| Iraqi Freedom Minute, Oct. 30 |
• This edition features a story on the two-day National Women's conference in Iraq.
• This edition features stories on the turnover of control to Iraqi's in the Wasit province, training Iraqi Police and Army, and Ultimate Fighting Championship members who taught Marines mixed martial arts skills.
Watch Now
Thursday, 30 October 2008 IA Soldiers get receive new counter IED vehicles
Checkpoint Children
Thursday, 30 October 2008 NPs, MND-B Soldiers seize weapons in Baghdad
Baqubah Buddies
Thursday, 30 October 2008 Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Bureau leading the way in development of counter-terrorism strategy
Smile Train
Thursday, 30 October 2008 291 complete Central Bank of Iraq FPS training course
Football Fans
| Thursday, 30 October 2008 | Anbar Justice Center - the province model for justice |
| Thursday, 30 October 2008 | Coalition forces capture four wanted men, detain four more suspects |
Stumble It!
