By Lt. Matthew Horstman
HHC, 1st Bn., 502nd Inf.
BAGHDAD -- The city council in Al Rasheed is taking positive steps to clean up the city by hiring local youth.
Soldier from 1st platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, conducting a routine area reconnaissance mission within the Al-Rasheed area, saw first-hand how the new project is going Jan. 21.
Young workers cleaning up trash alongside the canals within the town are making a real difference in the area, said Lt. Charles Hill, a platoon leader in Co. D, 1-502 Infantry,
"The city council is seeing success in its attempt to prove its effectiveness and legitimacy to the people of Al-Rasheed via employing the local populace and establishing a sense of pride for their area."
During the past few weeks, the young people have targeted several of the most seriously littered areas in the town, resulting in a vast improvement in the overall cleanliness and appearance of Al-Rasheed.
Soldiers who regularly patrol the area applaud the city council for employing is youth to improve the quality of life for all its residents.
"The youth are a great target for the council because if they are earning money lawfully, they may be less likely to be recruited by the insurgency. The council is also able to play on their youthful exuberance and instill a sense of patriotism and self-pride," said Hill.