Former detainees return home

Courtesy Photo | A former detainee signs an oath to better Iraq before becoming a free man May 8. Eleven men were released after a ceremony, hosted by 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, at Joint Security Station Nassir Wa Salam, located west of Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Dustin Weidman)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.08.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Capt. Benjamin Roark
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – Eleven former detainees gained their freedom May 8 – beginning a new life and returning home to their families.

To mark the occasion of their release, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment "Gimlets," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, hosted a ceremony at Joint Security Station Nassir Wa Salam, west of Baghdad, to mark the latest release of detainees in a national initiative to reincorporate the men back into society.

The former detainees signed an oath in front of friends, family, local leaders, in addition to military leaders from both the Iraqi army and coalition forces, to maintain their allegiance to the government of Iraq, give support to the troops and work for the stability of their country.

One of the released men expressed his joy at beginning a new life.

"I am so thankful to be given this opportunity," he said, "I will make this time count and not go back these bad decisions again."

Before the ceremony, the men verified their basic information and local leaders signed as guarantors for their release, which serves as a testament of their readiness to return to society and keeps them accountable for their actions.

"This is your first step down a new road in your life," said Capt. Rafal Stachowski, a native of Warsaw, Poland, and intelligence officer for 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt. "What you do with this opportunity will make all the difference."

The Gimlets have hosted several release ceremonies as part of the national reconciliation process and will continue to support the GoI and Iraqi security forces in the future.

"I cannot tell you how many of these men said that they can't wait to turn their lives around," said Sgt. Richard Ash, a native of Ann Arbor, Mich., who serves as the detainee operations noncommissioned officer in charge, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt. "I feel proud to be involved in helping these Iraqi citizens return to the community and become a productive member of society,"

• Date Taken: 05.08.2008
• Date Posted: 05.10.2008 10:03
• Story ID: 19289
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ