Baghdad University did not have enough contemporary language books to properly support the students. This is particularly true of the college’s German book and literature collection.

Recognizing the school’s need for books and teaching materials, the 16th Engineer Battalion worked with the Justus-Liebig- University of Giessen, in Giessen, Germany, to get books donated from German students and faculty.

“The 16th Engineer Battalion is stationed in Giessen so it was a natural connection for us to contact our hometown university for help,” said Lt. Col. John Kem, the 16th Engineer Battalion commander. “Dr. Stefan Hormuth, the university president was very generous in collecting books to begin the rebuilding of the library of German literature.”

Capt. Casey Connors, the 16th’s rear detachment commander, coordinated for the pickup of more than 500 books and 300 pamphlets for shipment to Iraq via the U.S. military postal system.

“We have spent the last nine months working here at the Bab Muadham campus,” said Sgt. Wesley Dickerson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Engineer Battalion, one of the soldiers who helped deliver the books to the language library. “It is great to see the results of our efforts; especially the help from the students and teachers back in Giessen.”

Spec. Oralio Bowie, a food service specialist from Headquarters and Headquarters Company’s support platoon also helped with the delivery.

Dr. Dhai Al Nafir Hasan, the Dean of the College of Languages, who is actually a professor of Russian studies, said he was especially thankful for the assistance. His department manages a college that teaches Spanish, German, Russian, Farsi, Hebrew, English, French, and Italian and has more than 4,000 day and 3,000 evening students.

Getting new teaching materials is a very difficult challenge, he said.

“We are honored to accept these books from President Hormuth,” said Dr. Hasan. “Our students have suffered from the conduct of the war and the isolation because of Saddam; we hope this kind of cooperation can continue in the future.”