‘With The 10th’…Part 2

Soldiers from Bravo Company, 2-22nd Infantry walk the village of Al Noor.

Located south of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, the village was once one of the most violent communities in the area.

Now U.S. soldiers are there all the time.

“There were some bad people who lived in here. So we came in and we just started talking with them and engage the populace in a positive manner and they were very receptive to it.,” said First Lieutenant Chris Holmes of Fort Drum.

“The village was real run down. had a lot of terrorist activity coming out of here. and now it’s made a 180 degree turn around,” said Corporal Jeffrey Morris, a Fort Drum soldier from Watertown.

The soldiers live on a small patrol base named Bushmaster, located inside the village.

They man the guard towers and keep watch constantly, cautious about against insurgents trying to get back in.

“You’re always watching your back. You can never let your guard down just in case. It’s one of those - don’t give an honest man an opportunity to turn dishonest,” said Private First Class William Medlin of Fort Drum.

Soldiers walk the streets of the village every day.

They play around with the kids and work with the local men, offering work and security.

The locals reciprocate the attention.

“The populace likes to say that they will secure us, is how they put it. I think they really enjoy us being here. We put some money into their economy, buy stuff at the local stores, sodas water stuff like that,” said Lieutenant Holmes.

A major reason it’s quiet in the village is because the Iraqis run their own armed security groups.

Private citizens, called the Sons of Iraq, are paid by Americans and help keep Al-Qaeda and other terrorists out.

“They’re Sons of Iraq. To have their support in the fight against the terrorists and insurgents just makes all the difference,” said Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Sullivan, commander of the 2-22nd Infantry.

Soldiers say the closer to the people they get, the safer their lives become.

See Part 1

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Comments

4 Responses to “‘With The 10th’…Part 2”

Lauren Morris on May 23rd, 2008 8:27 am

Hello,
My name is Lauren Morris and I am CPL Jeff Morris’ wife from the second video. First I want to thank you for doing these videos, it assures all the wives at home just to be able to see our men. I haven’t seen my husband since he left in early September, so seeing your video with him on it was extremely thrilling. These are great documentaries. How long are you going to continue these videos? Also, how can I save these videos to my computer? Thanks!
-Lauren Morris

[Ms. Morris: Thanks for your note and your kind words. We're glad it helps you and other military spouses get through a difficult time. The freelance reporter who provided these stories to us, Doug Grindle, gave us the three parts that aired Tuesday through Thursday. We'll contact you directly through e-mail about getting the videos.]
LeeAnn Aldridge on June 1st, 2008 7:51 pm

I would like to thank you for doing this story on my husbands unit. My husband is Sgt. Aldridge and he is in part 3, I haven’t seen him since February and seeing him was wonderful. I would like to know where I could get a copy of the video, and will the whole thing be on one tape or will it be split up unto parts like it was broadcast? Thank you again fo giving me the opportunity to see my husband and doing this story on our soldiers.
Stephanie on June 6th, 2008 10:08 am

Thank you so much for doing these videos. The news video has given me a wonderful opportunity to see my husband and hear his voice - the video is a real comfort. My husband is 1Lt. Christopher Holmes (from Part 2). He left early in September 2007 and I look forward to having him home for this Christmas. These stories help to give a better understanding to everyone here about what it’s like (living conditions and so on) over there. Thank you so much for doing this!
Chris Morris on June 13th, 2008 11:13 am

Thank you for airing these videos. It means so much to the families to be able to see our soldiers in the field. Our son, CPL Jeffrey Morris, was one of those that were injured in the recent suicide bombing attack on Bushmaster (Segment 2). He is recovering and will be coming home for leave in few days to spend time with his wife.
Thanks again for airing these pieces to give a better understanding of what is going on so far away with those that we love.

Chris Morris