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August 16, 2008
Pool opens in Adhamiyah, Iraq
Col. John Hort (center) along with members of the Iraqi Army and the Adhamiyah District Advisory Council, cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the Adhamiyah Community Pool.
by Sgt. Zach Mott
For most people in Iraq, a dip in the local watering hole is either impossible, or involves tempting fate in the ancient Tigris or Euphrates rivers.
“This is the only swimming pool in Adhamiyah district. All of the children go to the river and that’s very dangerous for them,” said Muhtad Hasan, a member of the Support Council of Adhamiyah who works with youth and education.
The project to refurbish the pool and recreation complex began in March under the direction of the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. That unit recently completed its 15-month tour in Iraq and was replaced by the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, who oversaw the project’s final days.
The $150,000-venture helped reopen the pool after violence and the subsequent damage from criminals left the facility uninhabitable more than three years ago.
During the opening festivities, children ran around the deck with smiles and happily showboated acrobatic feats to gain the attention of the ceremony attendees.
“It’s really money well-spent when you look at the thrill that it’s given these kids,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Barnett who commands 1st Squadron, 2nd SCR, which is currently attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
The adjoining recreation center has a boxing ring, a weight room and wrestling mats for children to practice their specific sport of choice.
“It’s an ongoing project,” Barnett said. “One of the first things they asked for, as far as community projects, was to get this pool re-established so the kids didn’t have to swim in the river.”
Temperatures in Iraq historically surpass 130 degrees during the unrelenting summer.
For the Soldiers who patrol these streets in northern Baghdad, the pool is a welcome sight to help the people they’re here to protect.
“This is a good example of what cooperation with the local government officials, the Iraqi Army, with the Coalition Forces -- what we can all do together to improve the quality of life here,” Barnett said.“Every time a Soldier walks by on a patrol here he’s going to say, ‘Hey, you know, we helped facilitate that. We helped make a difference.’ ”
Wild Thing's comment..........
"Hey, you know, we helped facilitate that. We helped make a difference."
I hope and pray these soldiers know how much we appreciate all they do, and we know just as the Iraq's do too, that our troops make a huge difference in people's lives.
Posted by Wild Thing at August 16, 2008 02:45 AM
Comments
"...I dig those burka bikinis on the Babeylon Gulf and a palm tree in the sand!" - The Sand Boys
2008 (Babeylon Girls?)!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at August 16, 2008 05:50 AM
And I bet the people are just loving it! Those kids deserve to have fun. They're only kids. let them splash around and have fun. In the heat of the desert, you need a nice pool to relax in.
Thank God for our soldiers who helped make it possible. But you'll never see the media report something good like this. We are and have made a difference in these people's lives. These people are in such a much more wonderful place than they've ever been in and they love it. We are going to have a wonderful ally in the middle east because of what we did today. It was never about the oil or empire building. It's about basic human needs and rights.
Posted by: Lynn at August 16, 2008 05:51 AM
Darth, LOL hahahaha good one.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 16, 2008 05:44 PM
Lynn,yes there are so many things these people in Iraq have now they did not have before that was taken from them by Saddam. The media would choke if they had to tell American citizens how awesome our troops are that have done so many good things.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 16, 2008 05:46 PM
