Posted on 10/19/2009 4:52:50 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD — U.S. Soldiers here interact with the citizens of the Yusifiyah region every day to build stronger relationships and ensure the safety of the community. 
Iraqi Soldier Hussein Ali and Sgt. Jeremy Fouts, a security non-commissioned officer from Charleston, W. Va., assigned to B Troop 1st Battalion, 150th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, formulate a plan on how to pass out the school supplies to the children at the Mullah Fayyad Primary School in Yusifiyah, Oct. 15. Photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Ford, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
"This results in a peaceful community, with people living together in harmony," said Staff Sgt. Steve Matthews, civil affairs non-commissioned officer with B Troop, 1st Battalion, 150th Armor Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, from St. Louis, Mo. "The greatest benefit for me is to see a smile on a child's face when we give supplies to the children at their schools."
These goodwill projects developed between the local governments and the Americans not only bring smiles to children but they help out the community and build a solid foundation for a stronger friendship, according to Sgt. Jeremy Fouts, a security non-commissioned officer from Charleston, W. Va.
"The strong friendship makes the community of Yusifiyah a safer place," he added.
"Yusifiyah is safer because the people are turning criminals in and keeping bad people out of their community," said Fouts.
The strong bond in the community has caused a reduction of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and improvised explosive devices, Fouts said. The friendship is not only good for the key players in the community; it is good for the soul.
"It makes me feel as if we are doing something meaningful when we take school supplies to local schools," said Cpl. Joshua Allen, a medic from Heard, W. Va. "Giving school supplies to kids builds long-term relationships, and they grow to love and trust us."
Many of the supplies are shipped in from the families of the Soldiers, small churches in the United States and humanitarian aid organizations like USAID, said Staff Sgt. Michael Hawf, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and civil affairs non-commissioned officer. Unit commanders meet with the local government to find out what is needed most in the communities and try and accommodate the need with the supplies gathered.
Insurgents and criminals may try to hold sway over Yusifiyah, but the U.S. Soldiers and the community are rallying together to reap the biggest benefit, a more peaceful community with little or no discord.
Our troops are our very best ambassadors around the world.
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