4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

Courtesy Story

Spc. Shane P.S. Begg

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - "To travel and see the world." That is the answer many Soldiers give when asked why they joined the Army.

However, a lot of Soldiers don't expect to have much opportunity to get out and see their host nation while deployed.

But when living overseas, those Soldiers can. With opportunities like visiting museums and historical sites, or simply admiring the scenery of a foreign country, even deployments to Iraq present numerous prospects.

More than 40 Soldiers from 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division "Strike Force," were given one such opportunity to take a guided tour of a historical site.

They visited the Great Ziggurat of Ur, most commonly known as simply "The Ziggurat of Ur," located a short distance from Contingency Operating Base Adder.

A local Iraqi man who has lived his entire life next to the site and has spent many hours studying the history and culture of the people, Dhaif, offered to provide a tour for the STB Soldiers.

The ziggurat was built by the Sumerians over four thousand years ago under the rule of King Ur-Nammu.

It served as a temple to the Sumerian moon god Nanna.

"It is a rare opportunity to be able to visit a site with such biblical and historical significance," said Staff Sgt. Miriam Mountain. "I highly recommend this tour to all Soldiers living on or visiting COB Adder."

Dhaif explained the historical significance of the site and touched on some of the ongoing restoration and excavation projects.

"We also visited what is believed to be the home of Terah and Abraham, the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam," said Spc. Courtney Sloat, a medic from Grand Blan, Mich.

Upon the completion of the tour, the Soldiers were able gather at the base of the ancient step pyramid for a few photographs before returning to COB Adder.

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