Fostering relationships for a brighter future

Jul 17, 2008 at 6:01 AM
7 comments

Story by Pfc. Jerry Murphy

MUDIQ, Iraq (July 7, 2008) – The transition of authority in the al Anbar Province from Coalition forces to the Iraqi government is a priority in the province. However, this cannot be accomplished without the trust and support of the Iraqi people.

To strengthen their relationship with local Iraqis, Marines of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, conducted a combined medical engagement here July 6.

“The people need to see our presence – know we are here to help them,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. McDonald, a corpsman with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines. “Our support through (medicines), food, stickers, suckers and interaction with the children is very important.”

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The purpose of a CME is to provide the local Iraqi people with medical attention to those incapable of affording or reaching a clinic that provides proper medical attention.

Throughout the afternoon, the corpsmen with the unit cared for several hundred Iraqi patients, who are recently showing more faith in Coalition forces’ efforts to secure a safe and hospitable environment for them to live in.

“The Iraqis see that we are here to help them and, in turn, begin to realize that we are not here to hurt them,” said McDonald, a 25-year-old from Hanover Park, Ill. “We’re here to bring them hope.”

Female Marines were on hand to search Iraqi women and children in accordance with Muslim traditions.

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“Having us there really fostered a positive image, showing the Iraqis that we care enough about them to (respect their traditions),” said Capt. Lisa M. O’Brien, the communications officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron 374. “We’ve seen at least 300 people today and without the girls here helping it would make it hard on not only the Marines, but the Iraqis as well.”

Attending her first CME, Lance Cpl. Amanda R. Carnagey, a 20-year-old Marine from Vancouver, Wash., said she was a little nervous before coming to the CME, but calmed down eventually and had fun interacting with the Iraqi people for the first time.

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“It was a blast. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but it turned out to be a great experience,” she said. “It was funny; the Iraqi women would come at you and try to do everything they could to get us to understand what they needed, using hand gestures while speaking in Arabic. It was confusing at first, but I got it towards the end and just had fun. If I could volunteer to go out again, I would in a heartbeat. It was very rewarding knowing that I was actually out there helping the Iraqi people.”

At the end of the day the Marines an d sailors packed their medical supplies and headed back to the respective bases only to begin planning their next operation to support the Iraqi people.

7 comments

Comments

[this is good]

Ya'll keep doing Gods work and we'll make sure America knows about it. This is just effing AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

Semper Fi Marines, you make me proud, you make America proud.

Hi,Chris! THis is excellent. The Marines do great work for our country.

what a wonderful story of everyone getting along. Why can't the world just get along and hold hands. Thansk for sharing.

[this is good]

Thanks for sharing this Pfc. Jerry Murphy. This is great news. As I look at the pictures of these kids and and think about Lance Cpl. Amanda R. Carnagey - My mind races with imagined ways she and the Iraqi women and children interacted.

Another work well done. When this war is over and all of you Marines are back on home soil, I look forward to all of the ways you all will make our country better too. You are the best of our countrymen and women.

I thank God for each and everyone of you!