Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi woman proudly holds her infant child in the village of Etab, Iraq, on May 8,...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Jonathan J. Springer
2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment Public Affiars Office
ETAB, Iraq – Since the beginning of the war, millions of Iraqis have fled their homes seeking refuge from violence and unrest brought on by insurgent groups in the war-torn country.
According to recent U.N. reports, over 2.2 million Iraqis have been displaced due to conflict and sectarian violence, and an estimated 60,000 are being forced to leave their homes every month.
To leaders within 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), helping those who have been displaced has become a top concern.
"Every opportunity we take to help the people of Iraq in the midst of this conflict further isolates the insurgent from his power base ... the people," said Maj. Tim Frambes, battalion operations officer.
On May 8, the battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery visited the small village of Etab, where hundreds of displaced and less-fortunate Iraqis have taken refuge.
"In the remote village of Etab, we found a concentration of people displaced from the neighboring Diyala Province where a great deal of fighting took place over the last year," said Frambes.
With supplies donated from various groups and communities back home, the "Bastogne" artillerymen were able to hand out valuable bundles of clothes, blankets, and toys to the displaced families.
"I believe that the compassion expressed by our supporters at home was well and generously articulated through our Soldiers as they provided some lean measure of comfort that will go far to building a strong bond with the people we are here to protect," said Frambes.
Leaders have made it a priority to implement humanitarian-relief type operations into their battle plan; they believe visits to remote places like Etab are critical to helping facilitate improvement in the lives of displaced Iraqis.
Frambes added, "Women, children, and the infirm have been given reprieve from the violence in places like Etab. We want to insure the continued health of these displaced people."
Soldiers within the 2-320th FAR believe the Iraqi people deserve the opportunity to make a better life, and through hard work and genuine goodness, the artilleryman from Fort Campbell have strived to make that opportunity a reality.
"In spite of not having a permanent home, all these people want to do is raise a family without violence," said Sgt 1st Class Jonathan Mudget, who is a platoon sergeant with the 2-320th FAR.
Mudget has faith the "Balls of the Eagle's" visit to Etab will help cultivate hope and also create a sense of belief that things are changing for the better. Top brass within the battalion agree.
"Bottom line, although hope is not a method, hope is what keeps us striving and gives us faith. I think we need to continue to create hope; create a belief that things get better everyday until their own government can do the same. That belief may not be will something you can touch, but it is real," said Lt. Col. John Dunleavy, battalion commander for the 2-320th FAR.
Frambes concurred and noted that one of the most important aspects about conducting civil military operations is the fact that they establish lasting friendships between coalition forces and the Iraqi populace.
"When we build relationships based on respect, generosity, and genuine care, we get the same in return. The enemy here is everything that actively or passively prohibits a return to normalcy where families can be raised free of fear, intimidation, and violence," Frambes noted.
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2008 18:59 |
| Story ID: | 19377 |
| Location: | ETAB, IQ |
| Web Views: | 360 |
| Downloads: | 285 |
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