Bulldog Soldiers Secure Piece of Iraqi History

By Spc. David Hodge

1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B

The main chapel of the St. Peter Seminary of Chaldean Patriarchate is located in the predominantly Muslim community of Abu T'shir. It represents a piece of Iraq's cultural history in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, safeguard a piece of Iraqi religious history while operating from a combat outpost adjacent to a Christian-based seminary in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.

The Soldiers of Troop B, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, ensure the preservation of the seminary, college and chapel that encompass the St. Peter Seminary of Chaldean Patriarchate in the predominantly Muslim community of Abu T'shir.

"Due to the proximity of the seminary to the COP, it became necessary to conduct clearance operations within the seminary and chapel to ensure it was not being used by criminals for attacks against Coalition Forces," said Capt. David Lombardo, commander, Troop B. "Also, 'Bulldog' Troop conducts scheduled patrols within the seminary grounds to lock access points and prevent vandalism."

Lt. Col. Troy Smith (left), speaks with Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond, the commanding general of Multi-National Division - Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division, about the main chapel of the St. Peter Seminary of Chaldean Patriarchate, which is located in the predominantly Muslim community of Abu T'shir. The chapel represents a piece of Iraq's cultural history in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. Smith is the commander of 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.(U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B PAO)

The seminary opened in Baghdad in 1960; in 1991, the Pontifical Babel College for Philosophy and Theology was added to the compound.

"In 2006, Coalition Forces obtained permission from the Chaldean Bishop in charge of the property to use the college as a patrol base," said Lombardo, a native of Waynesboro, Pa. That year, the seminary had relocated outside the country and the college became a combat outpost for Coalition Forces.

U.S. forces found, collected and salvaged numerous religious artifacts, such as books and documents dating back to the 17th century, which helps to preserve a piece of Iraq's history, said Lombardo.

Baghdad Soldiers provide security outside the main chapel of the St. Peter Seminary of Chaldean Patriarchate, which is located in the predominantly Muslim community of Abu T'shir. The chapel represents a piece of Iraq's cultural history in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B PAO)

"We make sure all the religious valuables inside the church are safe," said Pfc. Shane Nerenberg, a forward observer from Riverside, Calif., assigned to Troop B.

The Soldiers said it is not a duty they take lightly.

"It's an honor to be charged with the duty of securing the church," added Spc. Michael Lavelle, a mortarman from Pittsburgh, assigned to Troop B.

Just like the previous four units that operated out of the COP, the Bulldog Soldiers will continue to provide security in their operating environment and preserve a small piece of Iraq's renowned history.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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