“We wanted to achieve something for our city and we can do that by helping to clean our city,” said 1st Lt. Muhenned Sattar Jasim, 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade. “It shows the people that we are here not only to pull security, but by working together with the IPs and U.S. Forces in cleaning the streets, the people can see that we are really here to help them out.”
Soldiers from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment have an ongoing partnership with IA Soldiers and IP in Numaniyah. This was the fourth Pride Day coordinated with Iraqi Army and police throughout the Wasit province.
“I think this was a lot more successful than I could have dreamed of,” said Capt. Rich Turvey, Btry. A commander. “I really think the citizens took hold of it and came out en masse. I was expecting about 50 people and I think we hit closer to maybe 300.”
Joining the group of Soldiers in the clean-up were dozens of kids who raced enthusiastically ahead of the group, filling their trash bags. Muhenned said he hopes that their example will resonate through the community.
“For sure we are going to motivate the citizens here in the city to start to help themselves by cleaning up the city,” said Muhenned.
“We wanted to just plant the seed of the fact that they can take ownership of their city and make it a place that everybody wants to come to and make it safer and cleaner for their children to play and grow up in,” echoed Turvey, a Kalamazoo, Mich. resident.
Improving the streets of Numaniyah as well as improving the reputation of the Iraqi Security Forces was the goal of the event, said Turvey.
“I appreciate all the support from the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi police,” said Turvey. “They were hesitant at first but I think we’ve proven to them this is something that can be of value and puts a better face on it for them and for the people here.”
“The people are happy for all the security forces out here, and we are proud in helping, and participating in cleaning and picking up trash in the city because it is our city,” said Muhenned. “We are proud to be a part of it.”
