Marine Dares Iraqi Children to Dream

Marine Dares Iraqi Children to Dream
March 02, 2009
Marine Corps News

RUTBAH, Iraq — Dreams were difficult to imagine for more than 300 girls at Shahira al-Joulan Girls Primary School in western Iraq, who have grown up in a world plagued with poverty, a dearth of basic essential services, violent insurgent battles, and constant U.S. military presence in the city.

But things have changed drastically in Rutbah over the past year. Since the Reserve Marines of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, arrived in the area in October, there has been very little violence.

Not one Marine has fired a shot in the city for more than six months, and Coalition forces are working arduously with the U.S. State Department and local Iraqi government officials to provide reliable electric and water services to local citizens, and spearhead a host of initiatives to improve the city’s infrastructure and quality of life.

Since the security situation in Rutbah has improved, the Marines’ focus of effort has shifted from fighting insurgents to establishing constructive “lines of operation” which include initiatives in governance, communications, essential services and economic development.

On Feb. 16, 2009, the Marines of the 2nd Bn. conducted their sixth Rutbah-area school visit at Shahira al-Joulan. The event included an interview with the principal, an inspection of the school’s infrastructure, and the distribution of more than 400 stuffed animals.


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