America's North Shore Journal

In what was once a recruiting hotbed for terrorist and Special Groups elements in northern Baghdad, a pool complex now serves as a spot of relief for residents. The pool re-opened Aug. 26 as community leaders and residents gathered to celebrate the return of the Al Asafah Pool complex. The complex was in such a state of disrepair that residents had long stopped patronizing it and squatters had taken up residence there, with some even raising sheep on the pool deck; additionally, the pool hall located inside the main building had become a makeshift recruiting center for extremists. “One of the first patrols we went on was to go assess this pool,” said Capt. Clint Rusch, fire support officer for Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, … Read entire article »