Another School Re-Opens

Iraqi and Coalition troops joined school administrators and faculty for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 1 in New Baghdad where a primary school that provides education for almost 500 elementary-age students, was refurbished by Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, attached to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team:

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – After a month of painting, repairing, and installation, the Tumooh Primary School reopened Sept. 1 in the New
Baghdad.

The school, which provides education for almost 500 elementary-age students, was refurbished by Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, attached to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Battalion leadership had determined that bringing the school up to speed was one of the key areas to be tended to in the area. Improvements to the school included a reattached water line, a new water pump, and a fresh coat of paint.

Iraqi and Coalition troops joined school administrators and faculty for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and refreshments to celebrate the reopening. U.S. and Iraqi forces have been working on such projects to help bring stability to the capital.

Capt. Jordan Vanek of Fairfield, Conn., a field artillery and effects coordinator for 3-1-9th, described the school before and after the upgrade.

“It was the worst school in the area as far as quality of life. It was run down,” he said. “(Now,) it’s clean, looks relatively new and well-kept. It’s fenced off and they don’t have a playground yet but there’s an open court yard for the kids.”

Vanek said the administrators and faculty like the new look.

“They were pleased,” he said. “Everyone was receptive to it.”

Senator Kerry's terrorists stuck again in Iraq, opening a school for 500 children.

COIN operations involve more than just killing the enemy, it also involves killing the morass that envelops the communities as insurgents terrorize and hold them hostage in their own houses. That morass is killed by engaging the citizens and upgrading their surroundings and giving them hope for a better life. This is the most important facet of COIN and unfortunately the least glamorous and exciting, and because of it, the progress in Iraq is under-reported.

The media has failed us in Iraq, by only repeating the graphic and gloomy they have clouded the vision of Americans. Fortunately, many Americans have begun to change their views on Iraq and once again a majority of Americans believe that Iraq can be won.