U.S. Troops Help Iraqi Kids Back to School

A B U- H A S S A N, Iraq, Oct. 1 -- It was not the sort of job Lt. Col. Drew Ryan expected to be doing in Iraq.

The commander of the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, part of the California National Guard, was the self-described "catalyst" responsible for overhauling and reopening the Al-Khedera Elementary School.

The school was one of many to have gone through a massive rebuilding program, funded by the coalition, managed by the soldiers, and undertaken by local contractors.

With the help of a team of soldiers, Ryan located the schools, liaised with the community leaders, assessed the work needed, employed contractors and managed the project.

"I've never drawn up contracts for building schools before," he noted. "When we arrived here in March, our mission was to destroy the enemy. It is kind of a unique role reversal now. We are out meeting people, we are in the community and we are helping to rebuild a nation."

In a rural area to the northeast of Baghdad, Al-Khedera, like all schools in Iraq, was a victim of severe underfunding. As Brig. Gen. Vincent Boles, commander of the 3rd Corps Support Command explained, "The need is so great. Any money that the regime spent, they put it into palaces or riches for themselves. … If you saw what these schools were like before we got here, they did not put it into these schools."

From Roofs to Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans and air conditioners have been installed in the schools — a necessity with summer temperatures soaring well over 100 degrees.

But with many schools lacking window panes, desks and even roofs, much of what was needed was on a more basic level.

"Atrocious doesn't even begin to describe the condition of some of these schools," said Ryan.

So this Tuesday, under a blazing summer sun, troops from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion gathered at the school with their commanding general and handed it over to scores of excited parents and children.

Also present was the local sheikh of the province. It was with his approval and guidance the soldiers were able to complete their project.