Military

Task Force Liberty Soldiers Reverse Effects of War

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2005 – U.S. and Iraqi soldiers this month continued their efforts to repair and rebuild areas battered by war, improve the lives and education of children, and help the citizens of Iraq advance toward a safe, secure and democratic nation.

So far this month, soldiers from Task Force Liberty and the Qadaa Council in Baqubah repaired and refurbished local schools earmarked by the council and the director of education. The schools received new classroom desks, stools and chairs as well as new door locks, light socket switches, lighting, coffee tables, iron security gates and replacement glass for broken windows.

In Hamrin, Task Force Liberty soldiers distributed school supplies and toys to the town's children. In all, over 10 boxes of pens, pencils, notebooks, coloring books, crayons and toys were collected by the soldiers, with the help of their families back home, and distributed to children ages 3 to 14. The supplies were gifts from the people of the United States to the children of Hamrin, the soldiers told the children and their families.

Also this month, task force soldiers teamed up with troops from the 1st Iraqi Army Battalion to clean and repair a traffic circle and Iraqi checkpoint. Soldiers removed trash, swept away dirt, repaired and repainted curbs, and emplaced new Iraqi signs around the circle.

In Abarra, the task force's soldiers, together with Iraqi soldiers from the 4th Iraqi Army Battalion, met to commemorate the recent renovation of the Iraqi Army and governing council building damaged by insurgents in a March 20 attack. Abarra governing council representatives, local contractors and area citizens all assisted U.S. and Iraqi soldiers with the reconstruction.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2005/20050618_1765.html