(TFO Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 9, 2004) – Approximately 20 Iraqi residents from Dahuk Province received instruction from Soldiers with the 133rd Engineer Battalion on how to build concrete structures.
Soldiers from Company B of the 133rd gave classroom instruction on laying concrete blocks to build solid structures near Habur Gate. After the classroom instruction, the Soldiers and the Iraqis participated in building a structure together.
The class gave the military engineers a chance to teach their skills to a group of Iraqis who will now be able to help in the rebuilding of their country.
For the engineers, it’s like the old proverb: give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. “We could build the structures for them, but by teaching them to do it themselves, we will enable them to take a role in the rebuilding process,” said 1st Lt. Elgee, from the 133rd.
The Soldiers and the Iraqis celebrated the completion of the class and the project with a small graduation ceremony August 9. This class is the first of many the engineers hope to conduct to prepare Iraqis to participate in the rebuilding of Iraq.