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Soldiers deliver school supplies in Baghdad

Sep-19-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

By Anita Powell, Stars and Stripes

BAGHDAD — American-led clearing operations near Sadr City took a softer approach Monday and Tuesday as soldiers from the Alaska-based 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team handed out much-needed supplies to Iraqi schools.

However, as is often the case in Iraq, the grateful recipients brought with them a laundry list of other, more basic needs that have yet to be addressed by the Iraqi government.

Among their requests: better security, more electricity, functioning sewer systems and better-stocked hospitals and schools.

On Monday, officials handed out generators and backpacks to grateful school headmasters in the Shab neighborhood. Top American military officials spoke with local leaders in the Shiite suburb about their needs.

Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who has long said that the path to security is paved with essential services, assured neighborhood leaders that infrastructure improvements were a top priority.

“This is just a start,” he said. “This is just a start.”

Neighborhood council member Ahmed Hannon said the gasoline-powered generators — about 130 in all — were requested by the neighborhood council.

“It will help security and will encourage the people to work with the American forces,” he said.

He added that he will track the donated generators to make sure they reach the schools and are used for their intended purpose. Headmistress Hurriyah Mohammed, who runs a girls’ school in Shab, was delighted at the prospect of having a generator.

“We can have a fan for every classroom,” she said, beaming...



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