Wolfhounds, government of Iraq work to rebuild education

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jb Jaso | A representative from the government of Iraq's ministry of education speaks to members of the Boob al Sham community about the importance of education, and the hope to expand and improve the education network in Iraq during the grand opening of the Bilal school, northeast of Baghdad, Oct. 11, 2008.  

TAJI, IRAQ

10.11.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Jb Jaso 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. J.B. Jaso III
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Leaders from Multi-National Division – Baghdad's 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, joined officials from the government of Iraq's ministry of dducation, community leaders, Iraqi national police and more than 500 students at the Bilal school in Baghdad's Adhamiyah security district, Oct. 11, 2008.

The large crowd gathered to celebrate the opening of the area's largest school, which recently received a much needed facelift.

"Just three months ago, the school was uninhabitable; it was in disarray," said 1st Lt. John Busuego, an Ontario, Calif., native, and the Wolfhounds essential services coordinator. "The school was not in use for a long time and the ministry of education wanted to refurbish it for the area."

Construction workers braved the summer heat and completed the nearly $200,000 worth of projects in only three months.

The construction workers did all the necessary repairs, inside and out, Busuego said. They installed a new main gate, new lighting, electrical, a sewer system and painted.

"Definitely, one of the best looking schools I've seen here in Iraq," said Lt. Timothy Schul, a California, Md., native. Schul is the Wolfhounds Civil Affairs officer who observed progress and knows the importance of this school to the area.

"The GoI has gained confidence, and they are concerned with education and everyone was pleased to see the cooperation, which is a step in the right direction," he said.

The step in the right direction began with the ribbon cutting ceremony, symbolizing the official opening of the school.

Iraqi Col. Ahmed Mohammed Mohammed, commander of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police Division, cut the ribbon and all present were eager to enter the school too see the progress made.

After walking through the newly opened school, community and government leaders spoke of the importance of the school's opening. The police distributed Iraqi flag stickers, flags, soccer balls and soccer jerseys to the students.

"The students all stuck the Iraqi flag stickers on their chest," said 1st Lt. Aaron Kletzing, a Chicago native, and Company A's fire support officer. "It was so surreal."

As the festivities concluded, Kletzing continued to watch the residents from the area approaching the city council members.

"People were coming up to the city council members saying that it was a good job," he said. "The people were thanking the council for taking care of them."

"They area hasn't had such a fulfilling happy experience in some time," Kletzing said. "There are probably five things that I will always remember about this deployment," Kletzing said. "This is one of them; I was really impressed."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2008
• Date Posted: 10.17.2008 12:15
• Story ID: 25141
• Location: TAJI, IQ