Maderiyah Community Center opens

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - An old stable in Maderiyah found a new purpose April 17, when the once-dilapidated structure opened as a fully renovated and furnished community center.

"This is the first time there has been a physical extension of the government in the area," said Capt. Richard Aaron, commander of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. "This building will allow local leaders from the entire area to come together, discuss and prioritize local needs and present them in an organized and unified manner to the Rasheed Nahia Council."

Opening the Maderiyah Community Center - complete with offices, desks, computers and dining area - has given a positive outlook to an area once ruled by al-Qaeda in Iraq. Aaron said the area had been dominated by AQI, but the presence of U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers and Sons of Iraq ousted the insurgents.

Citizens of the area quickly learned that Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have their best interests in mind.

"We have been able to reconcile many local nationals," said Aaron, a native of Boston. "Many are now SoI who play an important role in securing the area with U.S. and Iraqi forces."

With improved security, Aaron said, the citizens can focus their attention on using the community center to become a legitimate part of the Government of Iraq.

"They now have a voice and a way to speak to the GoI through Iraqi channels," Aaron said. "It will increase communication with Iraqi Security Forces that operate in the area. It also provides a safe and legitimate location for ministry representatives and nahia council members to come and visit with the local leaders in the area.

"They see firsthand that the security and stability brought by the Iraqi and U.S. forces in the area has led to these projects," Aaron said. "They see that AQI could not offer the same improvements.