Community heals through education

Courtesy Photo | Three Iraqi girls sit during the celebration of the re-opening of the al Thoha School on June 5, after it was destroyed by terrorists two years ago. The school is in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad assisted in organizing the re-opening of the school. (U.S. Army photo/Pfc. John Ahn)  

TAJI, IRAQ

06.10.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Pfc. John Ahn
1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – It was a picturesque day in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, perfect for the opening of al Thoha school, June 5.

There was a jovial feeling in the air and it was evident in the faces of the young and old alike on the clear sky afternoon.

The headmaster of al Thoha School, Akmed Salmin Hussein, stated, "Al Qaida destroyed this school (two years ago), but with the help of coalition forces this school was rebuilt. This area has been made safe by the Iraqi army and the presence of coalition forces."

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warriors," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad work to secure this area of the Taji Qada and have had a presence for over six months.

Their presence, along with members of the Iraqi security forces was instrumental in the rebuilding and opening of the school.

This community has begun to heal from the war that has consumed this nation.

"We're at the tipping point," said 1st Lt. Eric Wiesenhan, a native of Camby, Ore., and member of the embedded local reconstruction team for the Wolfhounds. "It's really a unique time now. The locals can take pride that it's being funded by the government of Iraq and ultimately by them."

Iraq's ministry of education has begun to prompt change for the children and the people of Iraq as a whole.

As the people of Iraq are beginning to take a more active role in dictating their future, the government of Iraq and the Iraqi security forces are there to shoulder the weight as a foundation that is well-built.

"It went well. The people who needed to be there were there," stated 2nd Lt. John Busego, a native of Ontario, Calif., and education advisor for the 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Reg., 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div., MND-B's eLRT. "The government of Iraq, Iraqi army, local representatives were all involved. There's really a sense of accomplishment."

This community has begun to heal, and the Wolfhounds continue to secure and assist the government of Iraq in reestablishing essential services, such as education, to the residents in the area.

• Date Taken: 06.10.2008
• Date Posted: 06.10.2008 05:07
• Story ID: 20295
• Location: TAJI, IQ