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Independence Days bring Iraqis, U.S. Soldiers together

By Pfc. Justin Naylor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public AffairsJuly 12, 2009

Lt. Col. Flint Patterson, the executive officer of 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, cooked up a traditional Fourth of July meal of hotdogs, steaks, hamburgers and more, to celebrate the holiday on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. Ameri...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Flint Patterson, the executive officer of 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, cooked up a traditional Fourth of July meal of hotdogs, steaks, hamburgers and more, to celebrate the holiday on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. Ameri... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
1st Lt. Saba Galeb Ali (center right), a member of the Kurdish Army who acts as a liaison officer with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, celebrates Independence Day with Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Warrior, in Kirkuk, Iraq. Ali, a...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Lt. Saba Galeb Ali (center right), a member of the Kurdish Army who acts as a liaison officer with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, celebrates Independence Day with Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Warrior, in Kirkuk, Iraq. Ali, a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Lion of Kirkuk tries his hand at grilling during a Fourth of July barbeque and celebration on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. The lion is the official mascot of the Iraqi Police in the city, and joined the Soldiers and their Iraqi p...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Lion of Kirkuk tries his hand at grilling during a Fourth of July barbeque and celebration on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. The lion is the official mascot of the Iraqi Police in the city, and joined the Soldiers and their Iraqi p... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq- With red, white and blue streamers hanging from the dusty roof, and matching colored top hats sitting on the tables, it would be hard not to realize this was an Independence Day celebration.

More than that, it was a chance for the Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq to share their traditions and holiday with their Iraqi partners.

"This is my first time," said 1st Lt. Saba Galeb Ali, a member of the Kurdish Army who acts as a liaison officer with 2nd BCT, discussing participation in the celebration.

Ali said that his only experience with the holiday had been seeing it on television or in the movies.

It is nice that 2nd BCT made this a reality for the Iraqis to be part of, he explained.

Special guests from the Iraqi Police included Maj. Gen. Jamal, the Kirkuk Provincial Director of Police, and his deputy Maj. Gen. Turhan. Even the Lion of Kirkuk, the official mascot of the IP in Kirkuk city, stopped by to deliver a celebratory basket and to take part in the celebration.

And 2nd BCT Soldiers were more than happy to put on a traditional Independence Day party for them, complete with a barbeque, music and beverages.

"It's all about sharing with them our appreciation for our celebrations," explained Lt. Col. Flint Patterson, 2nd BCT's executive officer. "Especially on this great day, which causes us to pause and be thankful for the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy."

This event comes only days after Iraqis celebrated their own National Sovereignty Day, to commemorate the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraqi cities June 30.

The same happiness that Americans feel for their independence day, we feel for ours, and right now we are celebrating for both because we are friends with these Soldiers, Ali said.

One day Iraqis will probably celebrate their independence day like this, and we are giving them something to use to model their celebration, said Patterson.

The only complaint that the Iraqis and Americans could offer was the dust storm that had settled on the region earlier that day, but the party continued on despite it.

"It's a beautiful day for everyone," said Ali.

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