Soldiers re-up under Crossed Swords monument

Courtesy Photo | Three Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team requested to re-enlist at the Crossed Swords monument in Baghdad. The Soldiers, from the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, said that it was a rare opportunity for American Soldiers to re-enlist at such a historical Iraqi monument. Sgt. Jason Wright, Sgt. Charles Beauregard, and Sgt. Alex Crowther all re-enlisted.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.07.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Pfc. Jason Jordan
1/10th Mountain Division PAO

BAGHDAD -- American Soldiers have the rare opportunity to visit different places in the world and see things in person that most of the world will never see.

Some Soldiers with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment took advantage of this opportunity when they recently opted to re-enlist underneath the Crossed Swords monument in Baghdad.

"It felt great to have the chance to re-enlist here, because I know very few will ever have the chance," said Sgt. Jason Wright after re-upping for another four years. "For an American to be standing under such a historic monument for the Iraqis is a significant moment."

The Crossed Swords, on former dictator Saddam Hussein's main parade grounds, was built to symbolize his claim of victory in the Iraq-Iran war.

The monument is two arms holding swords that cross at an angle. The arms are modeled after those of Hussein's, and the swords are made of the iron from destroyed Iranian tanks. The base of the monument is surrounded by speed bumps made from the helmets of fallen Iranian Soldiers.

"This is my third time to Iraq, and I haven't had an opportunity like this to visit these monuments," said Sgt. Charles Beauregard, another of the 1/71 Soldiers who re-enlisted. Beauregard signed up for another six-year hitch.

The Soldiers also took time to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Iraqi Soldier.

Although the 1/71 troops realize they are at war, they all have respect for Soldiers fallen in combat.

"You have to pay respect to those who have fallen in combat, whether they were beside you, or out in front of you," said Beauregard. "Maybe many of these men fought under the dictatorship against their will. I'm just glad that we are here to help prevent that from happening again."

• Date Taken: 11.07.2005
• Date Posted: 11.07.2005 13:38
• Story ID: 3621
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ