BAGHDAD - Members from the Jurf Nadaf community and Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, Multi-National Division-Baghdad met Feb. 12 for a ribbon cutting celebration at the Al Ghasacena Primary School to celebrate completion of a major refurbishment to the school.
Teachers and staff of the Al Ghasacena School held the celebration to emphasize the reconstruction gains in the area. The newly refurbished school provides an improved educational environment for children in the area. With funding from the Commander's Emergency Relief Program, the project included the addition of nine new classrooms and construction of a new restroom facility.
The ceremony included student performances and comments from Nahia Council members including Abdul Razzaq, Councilman and Education Committee Chairman for Jisr Diyala.
"Since the "Iron Knights" began their deployment in the Jisr Diyala Nahia in April 2008, they have worked hard to improve the quality of education received by the students in the area," said Abdul. "In total they have completed over 16 education projects at a cost of over $2,500,000."
During the celebration students from each age group at the Al Ghasacena School performed short skits and dances.
"It is wonderful to receive appreciation from the populace for a job well done. This celebration was a very fun and entertaining gesture of that Iraqi appreciation," said Capt. Andrew Besser, a native of Raleigh N.C., the civil military operations officer of Task Force 1-35 Armor.
The Al Ghasacena School located in Jurf Nadaf West, historically set on a sectarian fault line but now enjoys relative peace and cooperation.
"This project is successful because of the gains in security that have been accomplished over the past 6 months by [Coalition Forces] and the National Police," said Razzaq. "God willing, the peace will continue, we will continue to rebuild Iraq, and our children will enjoy a safe prosperous future."
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