TREA Chapter 115 "Stories from Iraq & Afghanistan"
TREA Chapter 115has pledged to publish the "untold" stories from Iraq and Afghanistan. The stories from the troops that you don't read about in the media. Stories like the one below:
Greetings from Iraq. It is the New Year, and it doesn't feel any different. Things are continuing along the path of progress. We are doing well and the security situation is continually improving.
When we were going through our training at Camp Shelby last year, our instructors always said that "Your job is to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people." Well, we are doing what we can. There is a small town in our area of operation called Makasib. I have been conducting a market assessment in Makasib. Many of the shop owners have told me that a playground would be a welcome addition to Makasib. It would give the children in town something to do.
In my travels, I have not seen a playground, a slide, a swing set, monkey bars or anything that children can play on in the area. However, I have seen two small, dirt soccer fields in the area. Rocks are the only thing that outlines the goals. I have seen children playing at the dirt fields sometimes, but not very often. Most of the children don't even have shoes.
I am working on a plan to get some playground equipment donated from a local manufacturer. Bruce, thank you for looking in to this. I am talking with a representative from a major corporation who could possibly arrange shipment. I talked to my battalion commander and company commander and they said that obtaining the equipment and shipping it here would be the major stumbling blocks. If we can eliminate these problems, we just might be able to get this project built.
When the unit that we replaced arrived in country, there were no more than 5 shops in Makasib. Now, there are almost 100 shops in this town. Makasib has become an economic hub. People are moving to the area because of the economic prospects and the security. Sometimes when we go out on patrols, we do walking patrols down the market street in Makasib. These walking patrols have sometimes become "Shopping trips." The store owners are eager to peddle their wares and the soldiers in the patrol are eager to purchase souvenirs.
Our patrols also have a positive economic impact in the area.
Most recently, a new market opened in Makasib. There was fanfare and celebration. The new market has 20 new shops. The new market will be an economic boost to the area. The economic outlook for this area is bright.
Please let all the folks back home that things are going very well and the soldiers greatly appreciate the support and the care packages. We are doing great things and we are playing an important part of the future of Iraq.
Thank you,
(name withheld)