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| Iraq |
| Winning Hearts and Minds With a Medical Project |
| 2006-08-17 |
| With tears welling up, a little Iraqi girl reacts to receiving a shot from a coalition forces medic that will clear-up her upper respiratory infection. While pain is minimal, the after effects will provide her with a more healthy start in her young life. The little girl’s medical treatment was courtesy of the Soldiers from 5th Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers from 1st Battalion 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, who jointly conducted a Medical Civil Action Project (MEDCAP) in the town of Tahrir; a town that is not used to readily available medical care. A building in the town had been converted into a waiting room, pharmacy and doctor’s offices where one Iraqi doctor, Capt. Farhan, from 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division and one American Maj. Jeremy Beauchamp, battalion surgeon, 1-68 Cab, prepared to see patients. Word of the MEDCAP was broadcast over Humvee loudspeakers that joint forces were ready to see patients; then the people began to pour in from the surrounding streets. “It’s one way to make the Iraqi people see the Iraqi Army and the U.S. as good people,” said 1st Lt. Edmond Jackson, operations officer for the Military Transition Team, 1-68 CAB, about the MEDCAP. Often the local people hear information about coalition forces and the Iraqi Army that has been distorted by the enemy, Jackson said as he was about to be overrun by a squad of six year-olds who desperately wanted the Beanie Babies in his hands. While the medics were treating Iraqis, Jackson and his Soldiers were handing out toys, pencils and notebooks to the children. |
| Posted by:Bobby |