41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Story by Spc. Anita VanderMolen

AR RUMAIYTHA, Iraq--Select members from the 2/162 INF and 262 Delaware OD, part of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team transported people, supplies and equipment to the Al Amal School for the Deaf in the Ar Rumaiytha district in Iraq's Muthanna province on September 14, 2009.

The team provided security for 287th Sustainment Brigade, the Muthanna Provincial Reconstruction Team, and the local school. They helped to unload 80 hearing aids, two flat screen televisions with DVD players and a generator. The items will be used for education and information access. The students also received school supplies and toys.

"I think it was an excellent example of how the military and the PRT can work together to do some really good work in this province," said John Kuschner, team leader for the PRT.

They patrolled outside the walls as the group handed over the equipment and met with the school officials, parents and students inside the school.

The reaction of the local people, to with U.S. Soldiers in their neighborhood, was one of curiosity rather than concern.

"I think the reaction of the people to the military was encouraging," Kuschner said. "They see us all as friends whether we are wearing a coat and tie or we are in ACU's and carrying weapons."

The transportation of multi-agency personnel, delivery of the supplies and equipment as well as relationships built couldn't have happened without the help of the 41st IBCT 2/162 Volunteers, 262 DE OD.

"They were just mixing it up with us all like we are normal people in their neighborhood," said Kuschner.

The delivery of these items is the culmination of a 10 month long project. The military and PRT will continue to work with the students, teachers and community to make the transition from assistance to self sustainment.

Kuschner said, "The professionalism of the military is exquisite and beyond my imagination."

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