By Claude D. McKinney
Gulf Region North
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Dahuk, Iraq - Within a community, the activities occurring in two specialized types of buildings hold great sway and influence for the residents of the community - they are schools and religious structures. Because of the influence a school can have on the current and future society, it is important to the reconstruction of Iraq to provide sound lasting facilities that will positively influence the future of this country for years to come.
The Kovak Primary School in the Dahuk District is one of those buildings. This 12-classroom school was newly constructed from the ground up. A year in the making, it is now complete and ready to house 36 teachers and about 825 students.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had contract over watch of this project.
“The Dohuk Resident Office has managed several different types of projects throughout Northern Iraq, but the school construction and renovations are special... they make you smile. I’ve never seen children so excited to go to school,” said Derek Walker, project engineer.
“You can see the future of not just the country, but perhaps the world, in the happiness of the faces of these children who long to enter them. I can honestly say I know we’ve made a difference in their lives,” he said.
Walker is no stranger to these efforts, he has aided in the renovation or construction of 30 schools, in Iraq. He is on his second deployment in two years.
In his normal, humble manner, Walker credited others for this success.
“I refuse to take credit for this completion as it has been a team effort, as all of our projects are. Without the support, oversight and coordination of our local Iraqi architect, and our quality control engineer, Tommie Lemons, the local government, and so many others, the experience would have been terribly difficult,” he said.
Now that the school construction is complete, it is expected students will arrive and attend class in September 2006.
Many schools in Iraq hold classes in two shifts each day. As the class sizes grow to meet the school’s capacity, this will surely be the case at this school.
Story from CENTCOM
Army Staff Sgt. Clarence Hutton watches an intersection in Sadr City, Iraq, as he provides security for other soldiers on Jan. 12, 2006. Hutton is attached to the Army's 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, deployed to Iraq from Fort Campbell, Ky. DoD photo by Spc. Teddy Wade, U.S. Army.
U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division prepare to unload two armored Caterpillar D9 bulldozers from their carriers at Al Butoma, Iraq, on Jan. 11, 2006. The soldiers will use the bulldozers to construct berms for security in Al Butoma. DoD photo by Spc. Jose Ferrufino, U.S Army.
CORDON AND SEARCH — Iraqi forces and U.S. troops conduct a a cordon and search operation in Hadem Mutleg, Iraq, Jan. 18, 2006. The Iraqi soldiers are assigned to the 9th Mechanized Brigade, and the U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 4th Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Charles W. Gill
Army Staff Sgt. John Newland helps an Afghan boy try on new boots in Zanto Kalay, Afghanistan, on Jan. 11, 2006. U.S. Army soldiers are bringing medical assistance, donated winter jackets, sweaters, blankets, and food to the people of Zanto Kalay during a medical outreach program. Newland is attached to the Army's 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion. DoD photo by Sgt. Andre' Reynolds, U.S. Army.
U.S. Army Military Police discuss the wreckage as they assist Iraqi firefighters and policemen at the site of a bus destroyed by a suicide vehicle born improvised explosive device in Baquaba, Iraq, on Jan 2, 2006. The soldiers are attached to the 978th Military Police Company deployed from Fort Bliss, Texas. DoD photo by Pfc. Danielle Howard, U.S. Army
Army 1st Lt. Ruben Vazquez treats a patient at the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, on Jan. 5, 2006. The Department of Defense is supporting the State Department by providing disaster relief supplies and services following the massive earthquake that struck Pakistan and parts of India and Afghanistan. DoD photo by Airman 1st Class Barry Loo, U.S. Air Force
(right click image, then "Save as")
Stumble It!
