Marines turn command outpost into youth center

by Lance Cpl. Paul Torres
Regimental Combat Team 5

ANAH, Iraq (Sept. 8, 2008) — A virtue of a good guest is to leave things better than you found them. Coalition forces have been working hard since the demilitarization of Command Outpost Ocataw in Anah to refurbish the building back into a building that could be used by the community.

The stage of the new youth center in Anah, Iraq, is lined with flags of Iraq as members of the community gathered to celebrate the grand opening, Aug. 30, 2008. The center had been previously used as a military outpost by coalition forces.

Key leaders gathered Aug. 30 to celebrate the grand opening of the Anah youth center and to officially open its services to the community. “The center is important for the people in Anah,” said Ganem Tawfiq Shakir, the mayor Anah. “It was used by coalition forces in the past, but with the help of embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team and Civil Affairs, it will provide a place to hold many activities for the community.”

Over two months of work was put into repairing the floors, plumbing, electricity and other repairs to fix the building so that it could be used by the people here.

“We are right now using the building to celebrate Ramadan, and in the summer, we have plans to use it for sports classes such as boxing and tae kwon do,” said Shakir. “We are also going to use the center for educational classes and the school can use the main room for public speakers to come and teach.”

The ceremony included speeches from key leaders within the Anah government and coalition forces. “After the mayor cut the ribbon, coalition forces officially handed over [the building] to the community,” said 1st Lt. Daniel M. Thomas, of Santa Barbara, Calif., who is the team leader with Civil Affairs Team 5, Detachment 1, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5.

A group of about 20 to 30 boys attended the grand opening to represent the youth. The center is being supplied with basketballs, footballs, table tennis and billiard tables to give the town children a safe place to spend time and stay out of trouble.

“The youth center will be a place where kids can go that will have facilities and equipment they wouldn’t otherwise have access to,” said Sgt.Vaughn E. Ball, of Hamer, Idaho, a civil affairs Marine with CA Team 5.

After the ceremony, the Marines with CA Team 5 handed out soccer balls that had been donated by the Kick for Nick foundation to the children, a foundation started in memory of Army Pfc. Nick Madaras. Madaras was killed, Sept. 3, 2006, in Iraq by an improvised explosive device.

With the Anah youth center now open and have and a safe place to have fun, the children of Anah have even more reason to be happy.

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary’s Thoughts.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Trackback URL. [Right click, ‘Copy Shortcut’, paste to trackback provider.]

Read Full Post »

Petraeus pays visit to troops in Anbar

by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray
Regimental Combat Team 5

CAMP GANNON, Iraq (Sept. 7, 2008) – When the MV-22 Osprey landed, Army Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general, Multi-National Force – Iraq, emerged with a grin on his face, eager to meet with and commend the service members under his charge.

The Warlords of Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5, escorted Petraeus throughout the visit. His first course of action was to tour the nearby point of entry along the Iraqi-Syrian border and witness the progression that has taken place in the area. “This part of al-Anbar province is a much quieter place now,” said Gen. Petraeus. “It’s a real privilege to be back out here.”

Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general, Multi-National Force - Iraq, arrives at Camp Gannon, Iraq, Saturday to visit Iraqi security forces at the point of entry along the Iraqi-Syrian border and speak with American troops at the camp.

Upon returning to Camp Gannon, Petraeus joined Marines, Soldiers and Sailors for lunch and a brief meeting. Shortly afterwards, he gathered the troops for a ceremony to recognize those individuals who have served more than 24 months in Iraq or for outstanding actions while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. “You should feel very good about what you’ve been a part of, what you’ve contributed to,” Petraeus said. “It’s an enormous tribute to your skill, your ability, your sheer force of will at certain times along the way and the wonderful work you have done.”

Lance Cpl. Shane Swartz, a motor transport mechanic with Motor Transport Platoon, 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines, was recognized by Gen. Petraeus for helping to train Iraqi police officers on maintaining and preventing mechanical problems with their vehicles. “The Iraqi police just had a group graduate from a mechanics school and I helped fine tune the skills of 16 Iraqis,” Swartz said modestly. “It’s not something I could have done without the help of my platoon and the guys in maintenance.”

Swartz, along with other service members, received Petraeus’ personal coin, and he hopes to share the meaning behind the coin with his children one day. “I’ll keep it somewhere safe for now,” Swartz said. “I’ll show it to my kids one day and tell them that hard work pays off. Things you do are appreciated in the long run.”

The visit concluded with Petraeus addressing the troops before departing Camp Gannon. “I’m real pleased to recognize some of you today,” Petraeus said. “Truth is, every one of you could be recognized. You’ve shown the enormous intrinsic value of everybody who wears a U.S. Military uniform. Thanks again for all you’ve done out here.”

Source: CENTCOM.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary’s Thoughts.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Trackback URL. [Right click, ‘Copy Shortcut’, paste to trackback provider.]

Read Full Post »

Founders’ Daily Quote: 17 Sept 08

“[T]he present Constitution is the standard to which we are to cling. Under its banners, bona fide must we combat our political foes – rejecting all changes but through the channel itself provides for amendments.”

–Alexander Hamilton (letter to James Bayard, April 1802); Reference: Selected Writings and Speeches of Alexander Hamilton, Frisch, ed. (511)

Let me see if I understand this correctly. There’s that amendment for abortions, campaign finance reform (otherwise known as incumbancy security), lack of free speech for conservatives, animal rights, environmentalism rights, homosexual marriage…oh wait a minute. I just looked in my Constitution and none of those rights have been granted or amended! On the contrary, the judiciary system is being used to forge through any legislature that the people reject.

How do I know the people reject them? Because everytime we have an opportunity to vote on these issues, WE SAY SO. But apparently that does matter, because the American Communist Legal Association (ACLU) comes down on the other side of the law. They are trying to destroy our country from within, and it is our responsibility to have an open resistence against them. After all, is this not what Alex is proposing?

Source: Patriot Post.
To Subcribe: Free E-mail: Subcriptibe.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary’s Thoughts.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Read Full Post »