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| Iraq |
| Hearts and Minds in Sadr City - American Style |
| 2008-04-19 |
| Iraqi Army provides first aid supplies to Sadr City residents BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers conducted a combined medical assessment in the southern portion of the Sadr City district of Baghdad April 17. The operation was supported by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National-Division – Baghdad, and provided citizens with essential medicines and personal hygiene supplies at Joint Security Station Tharwa 1. For the assessment, Iraqi Security Forces provided military and civilian doctors to ensure visitors received medical supplies and were not in need of immediate or critical medical care. Citizens ranging from the very young to the elderly received medical attention at the station. Dealing directly with the ISF, the Iraqi people living in Sadr City witnessed the ability of Iraqi Forces to care for them. More than 400 citizens received medical care in less than two hours, making the event a successful one. “It really turned out good. It was successful and turned out better than I thought,” said Capt. Ryan Mendenhall, a native of Ephraim, Utah, who serves as the fire support officer. Mendenhall said he was surprised by how quickly the people reacted and came to the project. “This is just a small step to let the people know that we are not here to destroy a home. There is a lot of work ahead of us, and we will continue doing it; eventually, it will pay off,” Mendenhall said. For others, the amount of people who attended the assessment was unbelievable, due to the gunfire that could be heard in the distance. “It exceeded my expectations; I didn’t expect anybody to show up because what was going on,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lawrue Bush, a native of Cleveland, who serves as the fire support NCO. For the ISF and Soldiers, this is not the end for this mission. The Soldiers are expecting the next assessment to be a bigger, and they are preparing to get more supplies, said Bush. The combined efforts are geared toward helping to improve the location where the assessment was conducted. “Hopefully the next one is a little bit better,” Bush said. |
| Posted by:Glenmore |
| #1 Four hundred citizens in two hours? That sounds quite impressive, and certainly not something the Iraqi Army could have done a year ago. Congratulations, gentlemen! We're proud of what you're becoming! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-04-19 21:58 |