Photo By Master Sgt. Mark Bell | An Ad Dujayl youth helps soldiers carry books into the Abraham Bin Alashter Public...... read more read more
By Spc. KaRonda Fleming
210th MPAD
AD DUJAYL, Iraq - The people of Ad Dujayl, were not allowed to read certain books when they were under the power of Saddam Hussein. Now, books of all types are being handed to them for free.
Soldiers of B Company, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, a reserve unit from Fort Dix, New Jersey, recently delivered hundreds of books to the Abraham Bin Alashter Library in Ad Dujayl.
"This is a very unique mission for us," said Staff Sgt. Magda R. Khalifa.
Typically, the unit attends governmental meetings with the Shi'ite city council members, said Khalifa. Soldiers discuss ways of helping the community at those meetings.
The unit's book donation efforts were part of a project begun by 3rd Corps Support Command. A diverse group of veterans, Boy Scouts, and other volunteers in America assisted with the project.
Plans are in progress to donate more than 10,000 books, including Arabic children's books, to the civilian population, said Lt. Col. Brian C. McNerney, 3rd COSCOM Public Affairs Officer.
The donation to Ad Dujayl included a variety of English-language items, such as science books, mathematics texts, fiction novels, non-fiction works, children's books, crossword puzzles, and National Geographic magazines. Several leaders in the city expressed their enthusiasm for the gifts.
"A large number of Iraqis who stood up against Saddam Hussein were from Ad Dujayl," said Sgt. Alexander Valencia. "They were subsequently slaughtered. This city is very pro-coalition and anti-Saddam."
One community leader said when Saddam Hussein had power over Ad Dujayl, the community was in fear every day. The people were afraid they would be arrested, and many were already in prison, said the community leader. Once Hussein's reign fell, the people created an 11-member city council.
The community leader said during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Iraqis enjoyed playing football with the servicemembers. He said that the people of Iraq want to be very close to Americans.
"The Ad Dujayl people feel lucky," said the community leader, adding the books being donated will definitely impact the children of Iraq and that the most important work starts with them.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2006 09:05 |
| Story ID: | 7259 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 24 |
This work, Books donated, delivered for a good cause, by SSG Karonda Fleming, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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