MonticelloLive

Thanks and congratulations. Col. Kendall Penn, 39th IBCT commander, shakes hands with a student during a tour of the newly refurbished secondary school in Airport Village. “Success can be measured in many ways, and after the tour, I can say with confidence that the measure of success for this project comes in the smiles of the faces of these children.”

The band plays on. The U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division provided the music for the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new school in Baghdad. The ceremony marked the dedication of the secondary and primary school as well as a newly constructed governance building that will be used for council meetings and other community functions.

Ready to learn. A large crowd of students and Soldiers gather during the ceremonial opening of the new ‘Airport Village’ schoolhouse in Baghdad. Seven months earlier, the school didn’t so much as have a name. The classrooms were in disrepair, over-crowded and not conducive to learning for the student population that had seen substantial growth in recent years. The primary school, which was also refurbished, is home to more than 300 students.

Working together. Col. Kendall Penn, of Malvern, participates in the opening of the new school, yet offered the credit to the local leaders who surrounded him at the ceremony. “These men have a genuine desire to improve the well being of those that live here in Airport Village. They are the true meaning of public servants, and they been instrumental in making many good things happen here,” said Penn.

Arkansas influence. Lt. Col. Jim Foot, civil military officer for the 39th Brigade, works with three Arkansas schools in partnering with the Airport Village schools. The participating schools are Arkansas Baptist High School and Chenal Elementary School, both in Little Rock, and Pine Forest Elementary School in Maumelle. A resident of Little Rock himself, Foot said, “We didn’t have a problem finding schools back home to participate in the program. There’s a genuine interest and willingness to help; not to mention the fact that it’s a great experience for the children in the schools at home as well.”

Words of encouragement. As Col. Kendall Penn addressed those in attendance, he complimented the working relationship he’s had with community leaders since the 39th Brigade arrived in Iraq in March 2008. “Everyone here that is a parent understands the importance of a quality education for their children,” he said. “It is the means at which our children’s future becomes brighter. I tell my fellow brigade commanders working here in Iraq that I have the best village in all of Baghdad to work with due in large part of the leadership as well as the citizens who understand the importance of a quality education.”

Touring the new school. Col. Kendall Penn, commander of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, accompanies school and community leaders during a tour of the new ‘Airport Village’ schoolhouse in Baghdad. Seven months earlier, the school didn’t so much as have a name. The classrooms were in disrepair, over-crowded and not conducive to learning for the student population that had seen substantial growth in recent years. The primary school, which was also refurbished, is home to more than 300 students. “I’m convinced you can’t put a price tag on what I saw today. The leaders here in Airport Village have stepped up to the challenge of their future and told these kids, ‘We believe in you, and so much so, that we’re going to provide you with the tools, the environment that will make you successful.’ ”

Success seen through smiles. “Success can be measured in many ways, and after the tour, I can say with confidence that the measure of success for this project comes in the smiles of the faces of these children,” said Col. Kendall Penn, commander of the 39th after the opening of the new Airport Village school in Baghdad. Capt. Raymond Wilson, a civil military officer who assisted with the project said, “Projects such as this help instill self-reliance with the Iraqi people, and we want them to know that we are here to assist, but ultimately, this is their project, their future.”