Celebration marks opening of new Iraqi school

Courtesy Photo | Col. H.R. McMaster, commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, watches as villagers of Tal Qussab dance in celebration Nov. 19 at the opening of a new school built for the village. The opening of the school came three months after 3rd ACR approved a project aimed a improving the quality of life for the citizens of the community.  

11.21.2005

Courtesy Story

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By Sgt. 1st Class Donald Sparks
3d U.S. CAVALRY PAO

WESTERN NINEWA PROVINCE, Iraq " Seconds after Col. H.R. McMaster stepped out of his helicopter, the thumping hum of rotating blades became a whisper as the sounds of festive drum beating and blaring horns filled the air in the background outside the village of Tall Qussab, Iraq.

Walking towards musicians, McMaster who commands the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, instantly found himself mobbed by dozens of school-aged children waving Iraqi flags and cheering.

After patting several heads and shaking hands with the children, he was finally near the objective of his visit " an Iraqi school that was built through the partnership of troopers under his charge and the residents of the small town.

McMaster smiled uncontrollably as he watched nearly two hundred Iraqis celebrate, through dance and music, the grand opening of the new school.

"This is amazing, and I'm truly touched," McMaster said. "These are just some of the most beautiful children here. This school represents what happens when we work collectively to bring security here in Iraq."

The opening of the school came three months after Capt. Dan Ruecking and 1st Lt. Ryan Poyant, met with the town's leadership to assess and establish projects that could improve the quality of life.

"Our immediate feedback from the sheiks, mukhtar [local neighborhood official], and other town leaders was that a new school was needed," said Ruecking, commander, Howitzer Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd ACR.

Ruecking, from Elmhurst, Ill., discovered there were only three primary schools in the area for children to attend, however the children of Tall Qussab had to cross a high-traffic highway by foot to another town to go to school.

"It was very important for us to make this happen," Ruecking said. "There are cars driving 85 miles per hour on that road, so the last thing that needs to happen is a kid to get hurt trying to go to school. It was very dangerous."

The $46,000 contract was approved by Lt. Col. Greg Reilly, 1/3 commander, on July 31, and ground was broke to build the school Aug. 4. The town's mukhtar won the bid, as Ruecking mentioned, because he was clearly interested in improving the lives of the community.

Another bonus from the school construction was that it provided jobs for several of the town's citizens. Also many of the town's leaders provided desks and necessary school supplies.

"Although we initiated this project, the Iraqi people took ownership and pride in building this school," Ruecking said. "This is a total team effort."

Mesmerized by the celebration, Poyant, from New Bedford, Mass., felt a feeling of satisfaction watching the Iraqis singing and dancing in the courtyard of the school.

With a gleam in his eyes, Poyant said, "I feel good. This is exactly why the Regiment is here to do this mission in Iraq " provide service to the population, support the government and help build relationships with the people."

Ponyant expressed the project also provided the community to see the Iraqi Army work hand-in-hand with the Iraqi government.

"The people see the end result of the IA and the government working together," Ponyant said. "They see the services brought to their town and the people begin to trust their government leadership and the Army."

• Date Taken: 11.21.2005
• Date Posted: 11.21.2005 14:00
• Story ID: 3812