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Dragoons continue to
reach out
to Iraqi community, provide support
Story and photo by Capt. Sean
Kirley, 2nd ACR PAO
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Sgt. Maj. Samuel Rhodes, 2nd ACR, distributes
a tee shirt to an Iraqi child
at the Virgin Mary Primary School in Najaf, Iraq. The
Soldiers of 2nd ACR
are working to help rebuild local neighborhoods. |
NAJAF, Iraq --
The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment spent a year in Baghdad, helping
the people of that city rebuild their lives and regain their
livelihood. When the “Dragoons” received orders to move into
southern Iraq, they continued to help Iraqis living in Najaf. The
people of this city have been receptive of the troopers, and the “Iron
Dukes” of 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment.
On May 20, elements of Headquarters
and Headquarters Troop, 2nd ACR, visited a school on the outskirts
of Najaf to distribute school
supplies, boxes of candy, and t-shirts that had the words “prosperity,”
“progress” and “Iraq” in English and Arabic.
The three-vehicle convoy, led by Sgt. Maj. Samuel Rhodes, arrived at
the Virgin Mary Primary School just before noon. Immediately,
throngs of children, led by a few teachers, surrounded the Soldiers.
As Rhodes, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Kerry and Spc. Matthew Mabry began
to distribute the gifts, the children laughed and cheered, hauling
bags of school supplies into a hallway.
Rhodes was then escorted on a quick
tour of the school. He wrote down in detail deficiencies and
the needed improvements pointed out by the school’s headmaster.
Projects recommend by Rhodes include
renovation of the latrine, air conditioning, and a daily supply of
water for the school. Also, many windows needed to be replaced and
general repairs made.
“We will be back tomorrow,” he
told the students and teachers. “And we will keep coming back
until this work is complete.”
The next day, the renovations
started. The regiment plans to continue to help the community by
distributing 1,000 pairs of shoes, 1,000 shorts and shirts, and 750
humanitarian aid bags. The contents of the humanitarian bags include
foodstuff, toys, and clothing. Other rural neighborhoods and schools
will receive these bags and renovation project.
The Dragoons continue to lead the way
in helping the Iraqi people live safer, more secure and prosperous
lives.
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