Photo By Chief Warrant Officer Bobbie Curtis | A Marine from Company A, Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, 2nd Marine Logistics Group...... read more read more
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CAMP AL TAQADDUM, Iraq – Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, visited the village of Al Kem Al Esbani, Iraq, Feb. 16, to strengthen the rapport Coalition forces established with the town since the U.S. entered Iraq in 2003.
The commanding officer of MWSS-373, Lt. Col. Todd M. Jenkins, chose to visit the town to enhance relations with its people with the intent on serving them in the future by providing them with supplies, medical care and other basic needs. He hopes these acts will promote the exchange of ideas between coalition forces and local Iraqi nationals in the area.
The Al Anbar village borders the town of Al Kabani and is just down the road from the city of Habbaniyah and Camp Al Taqaddum. Its estimated population is approximately 125 people, with a small percentage serving in the Iraqi security forces.
Jenkins and other 2nd MLG leaders sat with the village mukhtar, Shakir Ahmed Rejah and other villagers to discuss their challenges and needs. During the meeting, other Marines from the logistics group handed out blankets, mattresses, toys, soccer balls and water to villagers who lined up with anticipation and excitement.
Rejah explained to the Marines that the village's biggest need is fresh water, mentioning the village draws their water from a nearby canal. The water is not purified and could result in future health problems for the families that reside in the tight-knit community.
According to Capt. Jack D. Pearce, the company commander of Company A, MWSS-373, the unit is looking to help alleviate this problem by diverting water to the village from a newly constructed water treatment plant in nearby Al Kabani.
Several previously deployed Marines from MWSS-373 explained that a civil engagement like this would not have been possible in a couple of years ago, but with last year's decrease in violence, they now have the opportunity to assist Iraqi citizens with acts of kindness more often.
"The first tour I was here there was almost zero traffic and we didn't get the good fortune of seeing families out," Jenkins said to Rejah. "This time we see a lot of big families with happy kids that are doing better economically."
After the initial meeting and a tour of the village, the Marines were invited to drink Chai (tea), a traditional Iraqi drink that is a focal point for social gatherings.
While drinking the dark brown, sugary brew and conversating with the villagers, Sgt. Maj. Wallington Sims, of MWSS-373, reminisced about his last deployment to the region in 2006-2007 and proclaimed a single wish.
"When I was here last time in, you couldn't do this," Sims explained. "We lost 3 Marines ... I wish they could see this day."
Before the Marines departed, Rejah and other villagers expressed their appreciation for their visit.
"This is very important and what you do is very noble", Rejah said to the Marines, happy with the outcome of the visit. "We are not just friends, we are like family members and we wish that you return home safe to your families."
Jenkins plans to return his Marines to the town in the near future to follow up on what he calls a "ground-breaking" meeting to provide further aid to the villagers.
For more information about the ongoing mission in Iraq's Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2009 16:35 |
| Story ID: | 30401 |
| Location: | AL TAQADDUM, IQ |
| Web Views: | 325 |
| Downloads: | 282 |
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