Story, Photos by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp
MNCI-PAO
Feb. 17, 2005
RECONSTRUCTION
CAMP VICTORY, IRAQ -- Post-Saddam reconstruction is in full swing in a section of Baghdad known as Iraqi Village.
Numerous recreational facilities and utility projects are completed, and others remain under way, thanks to the diligent work over the past year by National Guard Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 303rd Armor Regiment, 81st Brigade, Kent, Wa.
Iraqi Village was originally built by Saddam Hussein as an orphanage for the widows and children of Iraqi soldiers who were killed during the Iran/Iraq war, explained Maj. Patrick M. Barry, executive officer, 1st Bn., 303rd Armor.
"(Iraqi Village) was quickly evacuated due to the Baathist affiliation as Operation Iraqi Freedom began, leaving a vacuum. That's how all the people got there.
Every one that lives there has a different story of how they got there. The people are there because they have fallen on hard times," said Barry.
When elements of the 81st Bde. first rolled in last year, Iraqi Village was in a state of disarray. "The contractors used to use the village as a dumping ground, and the vegetation was all grown up," Barry said. "Also, when the war began, there was a big problem with looting."
"Every electrical transformer was looted," said Barry. "If there was any electrical wire, anything of value, it was taken."
Concerned with the electrical system in the village, Barry and local contractors decided to solve the problem by putting anything electrical above ground, rather than underneath. This helped ward off any further looting.
The citizens of the village were also having trouble finding a voice to speak on their behalf. "When we came here, no one here knew who to go to for help. None of the citizens could say who was in charge," said Barry.
Subsequently, the task of helping the citizens of Iraqi Village help themselves fell on the shoulders of Barry and his Soldiers. One of the first items on the 303rd Armor's agenda was setting up an interim government.
Barry said the citizens of Iraqi Village wanted and worked hard for their local government. "They didn't know how to go about doing it though," he said.
"They decided they wanted to form a council. They were looking for guidance on
how to do that. And we worked with them on how to do that, in an advisory role only.
They were calling the shots and they came up with a fairly decent plan," said Barry. "We supported their plan in securing their election.
About 500 people showed up for the election in July. They ended up electing a president who elected a city council. Eventually, just five city council members where elected."
Once a week, Barry meets with his interpreter, Jamal "Jimmy" Samo, and the Iraqi Village city council members to listen to any issues or concerns that the council and citizens of Iraqi Village may have.
Barry then works through Samo to convey any guidance he may have for the council, or to let them know what he can and cannot do to help them.
In a recent council meeting with Barry and a 303rd Armor medical officer, 1st Lt. Glenn Allen, council members expressed their concerns about the completion of the water and electrical systems, and a broken sewer pipe. Also on the agenda was the discussion of various recreational facilities that have been built and are in the process of opening.
During their tenure here, the 303rd has overseen and helped facilitate the construction of tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and a soccer field, explained Capt. Jason A. Bleadsoe, assistant training and operations officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 303rd Armor.
"All these completed projects were worked through us and the village council," he said.
The day of the meeting, the village council wanted to know when they could open up the playground.
Two days later, a line of more than 100 village children stood in front of the
playground gates, smiling and waiting. With Soldiers from the 303rd overlooking, the gates opened and the children of Iraqi Village poured in.
Playground equipment was put to the test; every see-saw, swing and merry-go-round had throngs of children vying for their turn.
Although facility completions was a mainstay for coalition forces in Iraqi Village, Barry said that the election held in July was their high point. "The single biggest thing we've done here is help them govern themselves," he said.
Other coalition accomplishments in Iraqi Village include a fully functional daycare center, and a nearly-operational medical clinic. A council building was built, and "for their protection, we repaired all the walls and gates," Barry said.
As the 303rd prepares to head home to the U.S., Barry said that there is still work to be done, but "we've moved the ball a little closer to the goal line. It's been a rewarding experience for us all."
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2005 11:10 |
| Story ID: | 1238 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
This work, Iraqi Village reconstruction final, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
