America's North Shore Journal

Dujaylah Iraqi Police pick up trash during Dujaylah Pride Day, April 18. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson

Iraqi Security Forces, government officials and Coalition forces banded together for Dujaylah Pride Day to clean up the town, April 18.

“It was very good for the city and the people because they see the Army and the Police and the Americans as they worked together to clean the area and that’s a really excellent job to inform the people of the cooperation,” said Salah Nasser Al Attabr, deputy mayor of Dujaylah.

Iraqi Army Humvees led the way with two garbage trucks following as the group picked up trash along a one mile loop in the inner city.

“The Iraqi Army, [Iraqi Police] and the Coalition forces helped to clean this area and the people saw that we just don’t protect them, but we also help the community,” said Maj. Jabber Jom’ah Owaid, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade.

Kids in the town gathered around the Soldiers and also joined the clean-up, working hand-in-hand with Coalition and Iraqi forces.

“It’s supposed to be for everybody, every member of society, even the officials, kids, students and college students,” said Salah. “They have to share in this kind of job of cleaning their city. That is their duty.”

The hope for this event is that the citizens of Dujaylah will see the example of partnership and care of community, according to Salah.

“It’s an excellent example,” said Salah. “Plus, a lot of people see the Americans doing this job, so they know the Americans came from all over and came here to help people, even to clean their streets and try to help them to improve their city.”

“I think that this shows the people that it’s important to clean up their streets and that a lot of people here feel that they have to start to do that themselves,” said Jabber. “People promised me that they will work hard to clean their city in the future.”

MNF-I
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson, Multi-National Division – South