January 25, 2007

Iraqis Hold Reopening Celebration For School

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20070124-10


Multi-National Force – West PAO
AR RAMADI – An Iraqi neighborhood north of Ramadi celebrated the reopening of its combined primary and secondary school Tuesday by sharing the moment with visiting Iraqi Army Soldiers and Coalition Forces.

Community leaders asked Maj. Derek Horst, civil affairs team leader with the 4th Civil Affairs Group, to cut the ribbon for the Al Haitham School, which provides classes for the Abu Jassim tribe. The school was temporarily closed in November for renovations. Tribal leader Sheik Taher, who oversaw the renovations, led a group of community leaders and military personnel on a brief tour of the building after the ribbon cutting.

First Lt. Stuart Barnes, a civil affairs team leader with B Company, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion, said attendance at the school shows stability in the area continues to increase.

“We’re making progress day after day,” he said.The school, which began holding classes again earlier this month, hosts an estimated 200 to 300 students, Barnes said.

No comments: