School opening offers hope for children of Ghazaliya

UNCLASSIFIED

BAGHDAD - The day was bright - as were the smiles on the faces of the
families and children in attendance at the opening of Nahwaran School in
the Ghazaliya district of northwest Baghdad Nov. 25.

With more than 100 people in attendance, the event began with local
Iraqi Police, Iraqi Army and teachers handing out backpacks, notebooks
and pencils to the school children.

The talk among the Ghazaliya citizens present was of the growth and
changes that have taken place, allowing such a happy event to occur.
This opinion was echoed by the Multi-National Division - Baghdad
Soldiers present.

"The ceremony went really well," said 1st Lt. Thomas Wilson, fire
support officer, 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "It was great to see the Iraqi
Police, Iraqi Army and the Sons of Iraq come together for a great event
that shows the movement forward in this community."

The troopers of 5-4 Cav. Regt. are responsible for security in the
Ghazaliyah district. The unit's leaders attended the ceremony and
observed the festivities.

Guest speakers at the event talked of the progress already completed in
making Ghazaliya a safe place to live and of the potential of this newly
thriving community.

They spoke of the improved security in the area and said that not very
long ago the building, now housing the Nahwaran School, was a
dilapidated shell and was not safe enough to house the school. But with
the diligent efforts of Iraqi Security Forces, the area has become
secure enough to develop.

This school, they added, is only one part, albeit a very significant
part, of the beautification of the muhallah. The attendees were excited
about the progress the school embodies.

"I was impressed by the facilities that the school now has, to include a
computer room. It is a model for the standard of what schools should be
in Ghazaliya," said Maj. Thomas Downey, civil affairs team chief, 5-4
Cav. Regt.

This occasion, as well as other school openings in recent weeks in the
'Longknife' operational environment, represents a return to normalcy in
Baghdad. But more than that, they represent the foundation for Iraq's
future. Schools like Nahwaran School strive to teach the Iraqi children
the skills they need to help them develop themselves so that they can
play a role in advancing their country economically and politically.