Good News, August 23, 2007

IPs, Marines host youth soccer day
Thursday, 23 August 2007

By Gunnery Sgt. Eric Johnson

2nd Marine Division

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Eric Johnson, operations chief of the Hadithah Police Transition Team, plays soccer with local Iraqi children in front of the Iraqi Police Station. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen M. Kwietniak.

HADITHAH — The morning of July 4th started out like any other inside the Hadithah Police Station.

The Iraqi police conducted morning police call, uniforms were set straight, and reports were prepared. The Marines of the Hadithah Police Transition Team (PiTT) gave guidance to their Iraqi counterparts, making corrections wherever necessary. As the heat began filling the building, the anticipation for the day’s events grew.

Within the building’s multi-purpose room, the morning formation lined up. However, the formation wasn’t of Iraqi police officers standing at attention, ready for drill practice. In fact, no one was standing at attention. July 4th was the first Youth Soccer Day held at the Hadithah Police Station.

More than 200 local children gathered at the police station for a chance to play soccer with their police officers. The police and children were equally excited for the day’s festivities (read more)