Seabee MWR Brings New Life to Iraqi Businesses
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS030822-26
Release Date: 8/24/2003 5:09:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class Lisa Keding, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7
AD DIWANIYAH, Iraq (NNS) -- When the average person makes a run to the store for their every day needs, they don't usually pack along locked and loaded M-16 rifles and .60 caliber machine guns. But this is Iraq, where a simple trip to the store can be dangerous. Still, the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 here at Camp Hope want some of the simple comforts of home like soft drinks, snacks and batteries for their personal electronics. And despite the dangers of a drive through Ad Diwaniyah, the battalion's Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) committee are dedicated to keeping the Bees' morale high.
Seven days a week, a three-person team makes a special run to local businesses to pick up various items requested by the troops.
"We try to work a lot of different angles to keep these guys happy," said Steelworker 1st Class (SCW) David Shepheard, chairman of the committee. "One thing we do is take special requests. We want to make it as comfortable as possible while we're over here."
Shepheard's creative effort to find things worthy of the Seabees' needs and wants has extended to a number of resources in the area.
"Shepheard's role in the committee has given this battalion's MWR program a unique flair," said Steelworker 1st Class (SCW) Joey Cordova, vice chairman of the committee. "He has contacts at a Marine camp near here, and a lot of contacts in the Iraqi community."
Shepheard humbly plays down Cordova's comment, adding that he just picked up where the previous battalion, NMCB-4, left off.
Among the team's acquisitions are a satellite dish and souvenir embroidery on some of the Seabees' unifom items.
One of Cordova's biggest contributions was the acquisition of refrigerators and freezers from other commands in the area to keep the soft drinks and snacks cold. The Seabees also have the luxury of plastic foam coolers in their berthing areas filled with bottled water. To keep it all chilled, a local businessman delivers about 50 blocks of ice to the camp each evening. The committee distributes the ice and coolers to the Seabees' berthing areas so they're never without cold water.
Utilitiesman 3rd Class Robert Thomas, the third member and backbone of the committee, works diligently seven days a week to keep the spirits of the troops up. He monitors the soda mess during movie screenings, and keeps an eye on the satellite channels. The committee just received the satellite from Camp Castle, the battalion's camp in Kuwait.
"UT3 [Utilitiesman 3rd class] Thomas came in to help the committee at a stressful time," said Shepheard. "He has helped to make MWR over here a great success."
The activities of the committee are popular with the troops, but they are also popular and helpful to the townspeople of Ad Diwaniyah. Dozens of children greet the convoy when they arrive. Asking questions in endless, fluent streams, "What's your name? Where do you live at in America? How long are you staying in Iraq?"
"I am very happy with the business the Americans bring," said Felah, the owner of Hassan's market in downtown Ad Diwaniyah. In broken English, he is eager to talk to the Seabees. "After Americans are in Iraq one year, I hope it will help my friends and family. No soldiers in Iraq, no dollars, no business."
Felah is the third-generation in his family to operate the shop. Cordova, the businessman in the committee, bargains with him through an interpreter about several items he wants to purchase. He explained that haggling over the price is normal, and it would be considered rude not to in Felah's culture. Felah's shop often sells electronics and soft drinks to the committee. The committee also purchases items from two or three other shops in the Iraqi town. Each shop owner greets them as they approach with a welcoming hand and a free, cold soft drink in the traditional Arab manner of not conducting business until social courtesies have been exchanged.
When the Seabees arrive, small crowds gather around the shops to watch the transactions. One of the shops had a long line of customers waiting, and the line only grew longer after the Seabees arrived.
It's an exciting two-hour outing, but for the Seabees standing security duty, it's an experience that keeps them on their toes, said Builder 2nd Class Bennie Morgan, who occasionally serves as a member of the security team during the trip.
"There are many smiles in the crowd, but there have also been ambushes and shots fired from crowds like this in other Iraqi cities," said Cordova, "We go in with good intentions, but we also need to be careful."
The stakes may be high for the MWR committee trips, but the payoff comes in the form of happier Seabees and relief from the stresses of the unique daily grind they experience here. Their camp, which is situated in an old terrorist training compound, lacks many of the comforts found back home such as refrigerators, takeout and recreational items found easily in the states. The days are extremely hot and long, but the cooler evening hours have become more like home, because of the three members who make up this unique team.
For related news, visit the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nmcb7.
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