Multi-National Division – Baghdad
BAGHDAD – In the spirit of summer, though a little after the season, the citizens of the Ameriyah neighborhood of northwest Baghdad received a welcome gift when they reopened the Ameriyah pool, Nov. 22.
The pool has been closed since 2003. Shihad Ahmed Abdullah, the lead contractor for the project, said the area has seen a number of terrorist attacks and the pool itself has been vandalized and stripped of all necessary resources to maintain a functioning pool.
Things took a turn for the best when Soldiers from the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, made renovating the pool one of its top priorities.
"It's really about working together with the community," said Capt. Kelly Lanphere, 4th Sqdn. 10th Cav. fire support officer. "We pooled our resources together to work with the local community and local government to reopen this pool and now, today, we are reopening the Ameriyah pool."
The reconstruction project rebuilt the pool and pool house in the complex, adding a new air-conditioning system.
"This is another place where people can come and enjoy themselves," said Shihad Ahmed Abdullah. "Thanks to the air-conditioning system, local citizens can now host computer training, catered events as well as wedding parties."
With improved security and the quality of life on the rise in Baghdad, 4th Sqdn. 10th Cav. Soldiers said they knew they had a golden opportunity to provide a boost to the morale of the local citizens and they took full advantage of the chance.
"I think this pool's great; it's a great project," said Lanphere. "More than anything, it represents hope. Ameriyah was a very bad place for a long time, and today is really a sign of hope of things to come."
Once the ribbons were cut, children from the community had the chance to take a quick dip into the pool. Although the cold of November was in the air, the warming sense of pride in their new pool could be seen all over their faces and that sense of pride was shared by the Soldiers of 4-10th Cav.
"We're making progress one day at a time," said Lanphere. "All the projects we're doing, they're making an impact for the people."
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2008 23:51 |
| Story ID: | 26860 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 167 |
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