Soldiers Continue To Build Schools, Trust In Iraqi Towns

IEDs other explosive materials found planted at construction site.
By Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, May 8, 2007 — While insurgents continue attacks near and at construction sites, U.S. soldiers with Multi-National Division-Baghdad this week continue bringing construction supplies for several schools being built north of Baghdad.

“We won’t be deterred in our task to help these people. I think it sends a powerful message to the world.”

U.S. Army Maj. Robert Rodriguez

Soldiers with 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, escorted local contractors transporting boxes of tiles, doors, windows, bathroom fixtures, ceiling fans and other building supplies for several new schools in two small towns north of the Iraqi capital, Tarmiyah and Musada.

One school under construction is the Huda Girls’ School in Tarmiyah, which was targeted by al-Qaeda extremists in the area twice in the past month using improvised explosive devices. In the most recent attempt by insurgents to halt construction, stallion soldiers discovered five artillery shells, two large explosive-filled propane tanks and numerous projectiles emplaced in and around the all-girls’ school

According to the executive officer of the battalion, Maj. Robert Rodriguez, from Santa Fe, N.M., the Multi-National Division–Baghdad troops will continue to develop projects such as these, despite al-Qaeda’s attempts to stop them. The coalition is determined to show the people of Iraq its commitment to a better Iraq and to the people’s well-being.

“It is ironic that on the same day terrorists were planning to blow up the school, the soldiers of 2-8 Cav., along with local leaders, were making plans to deliver more school construction supplies,” Rodriguez said. “Together with the Iraqi people, the U.S. military makes Iraq a more secure, stable place one day at a time.”

Rodriguez said his unit remains committed to making Iraq a better, safer place to live, despite the terrorists’ efforts to stop them.

“You have al-Qaeda trying to influence even the opening of schools,” he said. “We won’t be deterred in our task to help these people. I think it sends a powerful message to the world.”