Troops Extend Helping Hand to Town

Friday, 27 October 2006
By Spc. Chris McCann2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div.

RUSHDI MULLA — The first few were hesitant, coming in by ones and twos, but soon the floodgates opened and the citizens here came from all over town to receive medical care for a variety of ailments Oct. 19 at a Multi-National Division – Baghdad medical operation. The Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, conducted the medical operation to get an idea of what medical supplies the town needed and to determine what clinics and health care providers were available in the area.“It’s what we came to do, besides taking care of our own,” said Spc. Carrielynn Spillis, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and a medic with Company C, 210th Brigade Support Battalion, attached to 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment. “It’s nice being able to come here and help them.”Kazar, a resident of Rushdi Mullah, brought his cousin’s son, Mustafa, to the operation to have the 1-year-old boy’s hand treated for an injury.Medics washed it, applied antibacterial ointment and explained, through an interpreter, that each finger would have to be wrapped separately to keep them from healing together.

Maj. Casey Geaney of Ashland, Wisc., Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment (right) and Capt. Richard Galgon (left), both doctors with Company C, 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, examine Iraqi children. Spc. Chris McCann, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs.“I’m glad the Americans came to help,” Kazar said.“We’re planning treatment … to provide for local civilians in the area,” said Sgt. Jason Lane, a medic with 4-31 Inf. Regt. “We had a very good turnout, didn’t see anything too extreme, and we have a better idea of what to expect in this area.”“Initially they were fairly timid,” he said. “By the end of the operation, they were more personable, particularly the children.”The Soldiers brought bags of toys – everything from plush animals to squeezable rubber ducks, which seemed to transcend the language barrier and brought smiles.Initially, the operation was announced over loudspeakers throughout the neighborhood; but after a poor showing to start the operation, Soldiers went door-to-door to get the word out. “When we did the foot patrol with announcements, we saw a huge change (in turnout),” said Maj. Robert Griggs, a native of Colusa, Calif., and plans officer for 4-31 Inf. Regt. It wasn’t only the medics that made the operation work.“We went out to distract the enemy so the medics could act,” said Pfc. James Cook, Company D, 4-31 Inf. Regt. “We set up three traffic control points to search vehicles and patrolled the areas … It was all quiet.”“We kept an eye on things to make sure Soldiers didn’t get hurt. We all came back in one piece. It was a good patrol,” said Pfc. Samuel Rhodes, also of Co. D.“It’s a positive step in the war on terror,” said 1st Lt. Aaron Brooks, of Syracuse, N.Y., medical platoon leader, 4-31 Inf. Regt. “The Iraqis trust us enough to seek health care, and we are willing to give it in any way possible. … The end state should be that we help support the Ministry of Health to do its own medical operations.”

You're Invited on Monday, October 30

Maureen Murphy will conduct a Property Tax Appeal Workshop for you and your neighbors at HQ on Monday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. sharp, hosted by Republican Women of Wheeling Township. Maureen is our commissioner on the Board of (Tax) Review and is seeking re-election. But the reason she’s coming out to do this workshop is that the Board of Review will be opening the books on Wheeling Township in November, giving us property taxpayers a crack at appealing our assessments. Free of charge, of course, and open to all. Pass the word and bring your tax bill!

First in A Series: Progress In Iraq

This is the first of many regular reports coming from the Multinational Force in Iraq. We are daily bombarded with negative images. Still, there ARE good things being accomplished. Turn on your nightly news and you rarely hear about those. The perception needs to change and the positive that is occuring is what will be emphasized.

Two schools reopen in Kirkuk

Saturday, 14 October 2006
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Government officials and Coalition Force members celebrated the reopening of two schools in Kirkuk Oct. 12. The renovations were part of a broader civil affairs program and will serve as a model for other area schools.
Musalla Secondary School students proudly hung their country and school flags on the newly-painted walls of their refurbished school in preparation for a ceremony attended by local officials.
The secondary school and a city elementary school are the first of six renovations under the program, which includes construction of new science labs with computers. Students can also look forward to new school supplies donated from the U.S., and other essential materials such as computer desks provided by a nongovernmental agency.
“These schools were developed to set the example for Kirkuk,” said Maj. Paul Beekman, team chief, 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion. “The Board of Education can go in and look at the schools and the equipment, and emulate it throughout the region.”
The Commander’s Emergency Response Program funds the plan and was officially authorized by congress. Officials contracted local Iraqis to complete the work during the summer while students were out of school.
Students and teachers alike are praising the new developments and anticipate heavy use of the science lab and other equipment.
“The school looks brand new and the environment will enable the students to be more focused,” said a science teacher through an interpreter. “The lab is a big improvement, allowing the students to learn hands-on.”
Musalla students were previously confined to small classrooms which limited the science projects they could work on. The new lab was designed with bigger rooms so that more students can get involved, Beekman said.
Col. Patrick T. Stackpole, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, joined the governor of Kirkuk and local education officials at the ceremony marking the reopening of the schools.
Col. Stackpole told students assembled in front of him they are their country’s greatest resource.
“This is the best day I’ve had in Iraq,” he said. “Being the future of Iraq, take this opportunity and I hope to see some of you up here (on stage) someday.”
(Courtesy of 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
In other developments throughout Iraq:
A tip from a concerned Iraqi citizen led Iraqi policemen to a vehicle-borne improvised-explosive device in Baghdad’s Al-Bayaa district Wednesday afternoon.
Iraqi Security Force defeated a complex attack in Mosul Thursday night with the aid of ground Forces.

Reform on the Horizon

We have high hopes of putting an end to taxes, corruption and government waste here in Illinois. That is why we will be voting for candidates Timothy O. Schneider for Cook County Commisioner (pictured left) and Tony Peraica for Cook County Board President (pictured right) Both men will strive to bring honest government to Illinois and we believe we're overdue for that kind of change. Find out more about these candidates and how you can help them at www.votetony06.com and www.schneider2006.com