Marines Doing Stuff

from the Fearless 1st Marine RCT 1

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.”

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

“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.

Yep, we definitely need to get all the troops out of Iraq cause we're most certainly losing. We can't win, the dhimmis said so, so just pull 'em all out and bring 'em home before we wind up winning this thing and making the dhimmi's look stupid.

Ooops, too late.