For the first time since 2003, Shi’a Muslims participated in a mass pilgrimage to the holy city of Samarra July 7.

A mass celebration was held in honor of the former Shi’a Supreme Islamic Iraqi leader, Imam Sayyid Baqir al-Sadr. Thousands made the pilgrimage to Samarra to show their respect for the anniversary of Baqir’s death on this date 28 years ago.

Baqir could trace his ancestry back to the Holy Prophet Muhammad through the Seventh Imam, Imam Musa al-Kadhim. He had many followers in Iraq prior to his brutal death in 1980.

The day was full of celebration and remembrance and demonstrated that security has improved to a level that an event such as this could be held in the once precarious city of Samarra.

Iraqi Security Forces provided protection along the route from Karbala to Samarra, where over 110 buses carrying the pilgrims traveled to the northern-Iraqi city.

“At this time last year, Samarra was a city under siege by al-Qaeda criminals and criminal activity,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Hauerwas, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “Today, Shi’a pilgrims came to the Al Asharia Shrine because of their faith in the Iraqi Security Forces and the overall security of Samarra.”

Balad, a predominately Shia city, also held a ceremony paying respect to Baqir.

A few thousand joined in the celebration there as many of the gatherers packed the Sayyid Muhammad Mosque with no incidents.

“The celebration in Balad today was marked by large crowds gathering peacefully and enjoying the day out with their families,” said Maj Timothy Brumfield, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment executive officer. “This is largely possible due to the sharp decline in violence resulting from scores of former criminals choosing another life and reconciling with the Iraqi Government.”

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Reconciliation efforts have recently broadened in the Salah ad Din Province, with the city of ad Dawr seeing 58 former fighters pledge their allegiance to the Government of Iraq June 30.

Seeking to clear their names, the men initiated the reconciliation process.

Taking advantage of security gains in the area, GoI leaders, Iraqi Security Forces and Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, see reconciliation as the next phase of development for the province.

“Reconciliation is the logical next step in our area,” said Maj. Tim Povich, executive officer, 1st Special Troops Battalion. “With the recent security improvements in both Ad Dawr and Tikrit, reconciliation, or Musalaha as the Iraqis call it, will provide additional momentum to keep the situation improving in both areas.”

Povich, whose battalion falls under the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, said that by allowing those with checkered pasts to gain a fresh start, the people of Iraq can focus on the future.

“Iraqis want to be part of the future of Iraq, and the reconciliation effort allows them to put past transgressions behind them and start with a clean slate,” said Povich It is very powerful when an Iraqi comes in and pledges to stop attacking Iraqi Security and Coalition forces and supports the Government of Iraq. We think reconciliation will have a tremendous impact in both Ad Dawr and Tikrit.”

Meanwhile, Iraqi Security and Coalition forces continue to see an increase in the number of cache finds in the Balad area after a major reconciliation effort in May that saw more than 500 men pledge loyalty to the Iraqi government.

Acting on Iraqi sources, Coalition force soldiers were led to a subterranean arsenal near Balad containing rockets, mortars and anti-tank missiles. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division discovered the cache, which is the latest in a series of large finds.

“Reconciliation efforts in the Balad area have led to an increase in cache finds due to an enhanced flow of information from the local populace,” said Maj. Johnpaul Arnold, spokesman for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. “The people of the Balad area are coming forward with information on weapons caches and the whereabouts of terror supporters, because they want to be free from the fear and brutality that al-Qaeda brought to their country. Al Qaeda is being marginalized by Iraqi citizens who see hope in Iraq’s future.”

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WOW! Here’s a story I did not expect to see.

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At the request of the Imam of the Balad Shrine Mosque, soldiers of 2nd platoon, 164th Military Police Company, 728th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade and Multi National Division – North visited the mosque Feb. 24 to increase force protection measures.

The idea is to prevent future attacks on the mosque. The soldiers were the first Coalition forces to visit the mosque.

Following eight months of working with the Imam and other local religious leaders, 2nd platoon has developed a good working relationship with the community’s religious leaders and is frequently asked to provide additional security assistance during events near the shrine, according to Capt. Matthew Norris, commander of the 164th MP Co.

Soldiers, Iraqi police and National police in Balad have worked together to place approximately 160 protective barriers around the mosque.

Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Wogomon, a Leesville, La. native and platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, said, “The soldiers received many favorable comments from the Iraqi police and local populace who continue to see the Coalition forces working with the Iraqi security forces to improve security in Balad.”