Cadence Associates

Randy’s Story

10/8/07 | No Comments | Comment on this post below |

Randy, a Cadence Associate, was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in August of 2006. Sometimes the articles we read concerning the war are filtered to the extent that we don’t see the whole picture. Randy tells an unfiltered story here about a recent humanitarian mission in Baghdad. >>

I deployed with the US Army in August of 2006 to Camp Victory, Baghdad Iraq. I serve here as a civil/military affairs officer, over seeing civil projects intended to enhance the quality of life, restore or emplace essential services in two Iraqi villages in our battlespace.

Recently our unit undertook a medical mission in conjunction with the Iraqi 6th Army in a village known as Iraqi Family Village. The village was created by Sadaam to house widows and orphan of the Iran/Iraq war. As coalition forces drew near to the village in 2003, the inhabitants fled in fear for they had been told the Americans would treat them unkindly because they were associated with the Iraqi military. After the legitimate residents fled, squatters moved in and have inhabited every available and usable space. Offices have been turned into homes, as have store rooms and even the horse stables. The current residents of Iraqi Family Village are not welcomed by surrounding communities because of tribal differences and not recognized by the City of Baghdad for the provision of essential services. So, the only friends they have are us, US Forces who patrol the village and work to raise the quality of life for the people there. Employment is low and medical care is non-existant; thus we set our sights on the village for a medical mission.

The mission began early in the morning, about 5:00 a.m. when the first element of gun trucks departed our base and arrived at the school chosen as the location of the clinic. The mission was not announced in advance to the Iraqis in the village for such an event would be a ripe target for attack by insurgents. The gun trucks arrived at the school and awakened the Iraqi guards there at about 5:15 and told them to unlock the school. The guards expressed some frustration, not knowing the purpose of the intrusion.

Soon more gun trucks showed up and sealed off the streets leading to the school. Bomb dogs, whom the Iraqis fear, soon trotted up and down the halls to make sure all was clear. Concertina wire was pulled in a U-shape around the front of the school to keep the crowds, especially the children, at a managable distance. One entrance point was chosen where patients would be searched before passing through the wire and permitted to approach the school.

About 6:00 a.m. an armored bus arrived carrying the bulk of needed personnel including more security and medical staff. As they unloaded supplies and began setting up the clinic, to include a dental unit and a pharmacy, gun trucks began driving though the village announcing the clinic and its opening time of 8:00.

At 7:00 a.m. the Iraqi Army arrived, including a general who would serve as the dentist. The Iraqis supplied more than half of the medical staff and a third of the security, so this was very much a joint operation. Their Humvees parked side by side with our’s as they got out and joined our Soldiers in setting up the operation and ensuring security. By 7:30 a crowd of anxious patients was gathered out at the entry point.

All in all, the day was quite a success. Over 800 patients went through the clinc in the seven hours it was open. Everything we brought was given out to include all the medications, toys, personal hygiene packs and Arabic newpapers. People left with smiles on their faces and much needed meds in their arms. I even watched a young, but brave, girl have a tooth extracted. Her mother almost fainted!

The enemy did remind us what they are made of. They fired one round of rifle fire at one of our Soldiers, missing him by a considerable mark. They also fired one round of mortar fire at the school. Yes, the school with families of men, women, children and babies inside. The round impacted behind the school just enough to raise a few eyebrows, nothing more. There is evil in the world.

Not only were many physical needs met, but good relations were made
even better. We spent several hours standing next to our Iraqi
allies. I was impressed by their appearance and professionalism. Their uniforms were immaculate and weapons clean. They stood out in the heat with our Soldiers and did ALL of the searching of patients. I was even able to trade patches with an Iraqi sergeant major only to be topped off by one of my Soldiers who got the Iraqi generals
shoulder patch!

I’m sure they still have a way to go, but seeing the Iraqi Army that day gave me hope they can be trained up strong enough to defeat the enemy here on their own. I can see a day when the security of Iraq will be completely in Iraqi hands. Then, and only then, can guys like me go home to a safer America.

Randy was involved in the Kaiserlautern Hospitality House from 1986-1987 and continues being involved as a Cadence Associate today.

Want to read more stories like this one? Jump to stories in the stories category.