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3/5 Marines help Fallujans return home

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 200412281468
Story by Cpl. Jan M. Bender

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Dec. 25, 2004) -- The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, began facilitating the reoccupation Fallujah Dec. 23 after the order was issued from the Interim Iraqi Government, allowing the residents to return.

The Marines worked hand in hand with soldiers from Iraq’s Security Forces and police officers from Iraq’s Public Order Battalion to accomplish the task. They ensured Fallujians had the proper paperwork and were thoroughly searched before re-entering the city. Residents without proof of residency in the Al Andalus district were turned away.

As of Dec. 25, more than 1,400 residents returned to home. Residents are only allowed into sectors of the city declared safe for reoccupation.

As they go through checkpoints they receive handouts that outline the rules, which are to be strictly enforced inside Fallujah.

One rule, a curfew, requires residents to be inside their homes between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. This is just one of several rules designed to protect the civilian populace and Iraqi and coalition forces.

Working amidst the concertina wire, concrete barriers and sand bagged bunkers used to control the flow of anxious Fallujians, and alongside the ISF and IPOB has built Marines' confidence in their Iraqi counterparts.

“Out here we kind of find ourselves in a supervisor position,” said Cpl. Anthony J. Howarth, team leader, weapons platoon, L Co., 3/5. “The (Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi Public Order Battalion) are conducting all the initial searches on civilians and their vehicles before they ever get back to any Marines. They are a great asset to have especially when it comes to our differences in language and culture. It cuts down on confusion. With out them, many of us would have to resort to grunting and pointing.”

As the ISF and IPOB worked tirelessly, patting down residents and meticulously searching every vehicle, they reassured Marines that they meant business.

“There is no doubt they want to be here,” said Howarth, an Othelo, Wash., native. “They hate the insurgency just as much as we do.”

The attitudes of returning residents stunned some Marines.

“I’m surprised at how cooperative the people have been," said Cpl. Amber L.Keddy, combat engineer, females searching females detachment, Regimental Combat Team 1. “You would think they would be very disgruntled, being put in this situation.”

She was shocked by one elderly ladies display of appreciation.

“I had just finished searching her and I said ‘Shukran’ (Arabic for thank you), when she got up on her tip toes and tried to kiss me,” laughed Keddy, a Plymouth, Mass., native. “She even made the smooching sound and then she rambled on saying something that sounded sweet in Arabic.”

Many Marines believed the Fallujians’ optimism would be short-lived once they saw the destruction caused by fighting, however that was not the case.

“I heard some Iraqi contractors who are working in the city, talking with one another about the cities condition,” said 1st Sgt. Bruce Robinson, the company first sergeant for L Co., 3/5. “They understand why homes had to be destroyed, but they said they would rather come back to this than the insurgency.”

“They said ‘this is the easy part, rebuilding our homes, but to rebuild a single generation of our people that have been torn apart by the insurgency that’s what will take time,’” said Robinson, a San Diego native.