National Police spread cheer during blanket drive

Photo By Thomas Ribas | Iraqi Gen. Amer Flayeh Hassoun, commander of the 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division, gives a wool blanket to a child during a humanitarian blanket drive Jan. 3 at the Kamaliyah orphanage in New Baghdad. The 4th Bde., 1st NP Div., and their coalition forces partners assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, distributed more than 400 blankets to orphans and widows in the Kamaliyah orphanage.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.08.2009

Story by Thomas Ribas 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

By Staff Sgt. Thomas Ribas
1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Police officers assigned to the 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division, in partnership with Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, donated more than 400 blankets at a children's orphanage Jan. 3 in the Kamaliyah neighborhood of New Baghdad.

The donation drive was led by the 4th Bde., 1st NP Div., along with neighborhood leaders and the orphanage head master. The donation was to help children and widows battle the chilly weather this winter where average temperatures can dip down into the low 40s.

Iraqi Gen. Amer Flayeh Hassoun, the 4th Bde., 1st NP commander, along with his officers, handed out wool blankets to all who attended the drive. Each child and widow thanked Hassoun for his help upon receiving the donation.

"NPs are making continuing efforts to improve all of the communities of New Baghdad," said Hassoun. "This is just one way of giving back to our fellow citizens."

The drive allowed Hassoun the opportunity to speak with citizens about the upcoming projects the NP is planning and assured residents that Iraqi security forces will continue to maintain security and improve living conditions in New Baghdad.

Soldiers from 1st Bn., 66th Armor Regt., provide assistance to the 4th Bde., 1st NP Div., by helping to distribute the blankets in a sign of partnership with the ISF and to support the local community.

"The blanket distribution was planned and executed by the ISF," said Capt. Benjamin Culver, a native of Portland, Ore., and fire support officer for the 1st Bn., 66th Armor Regt. "They continue to impress me by their willingness to secure the New Baghdad area and help the local community."

The orphanage head master also expressed his gratitude to the 4th Bde., 1st NP for donated the blankets.

"These blankets were important to get out to people as the temperature in Iraq has dropped dramatically in the last few weeks," he said. "We are excited to receive these blankets, and this shows how police officers are helping the people who really need it."

• Date Taken: 01.08.2009
• Date Posted: 01.08.2009 02:43
• Story ID: 28578
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ