Spc. James Lewis, of Terra Alta, W. Va., hands out backpacks to a teacher at the new secondary school for girls in Tarmiyah, Oct. 20. Photo by Sgt. Jon Soles, MND-B.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were able to see first-hand the fruits of cooperation between Iraqi leaders as the new school was dedicated here, Oct. 20.

U.S. Soldiers took the reins of the $225,000 school project after the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team redeployed to make sure all contracted work was completed. Lt. Col. Scott Jackson, the regiment's commander, toured the school with about two dozen guests, mostly local civic and tribal leaders.

According to Jackson, the two-story building, with white paint and purple trim, is a vast improvement.

The new girls’ school replaces several older facilities that were so crowded that teachers were forced to hold class in split shifts. The new school has more classrooms, indoor bathrooms, and an inner courtyard surrounded by an outer wall for security. "It will serve up to 300 more students," said Jackson. "It's a great feeling. It's a good use of resources."

As the guests sipped tea and ate chocolates, Jackson made remarks about the importance of investing in children for Iraq's future. Jackson said the new school, built by local contractors and laborers, would help maintain security and stability in the Tarmiyah area.

"Education is a vital part of defeating an insurgency," Jackson said. "An educated youth helps stabilize the population; it helps in many ways."

As a way to celebrate the new school's opening, American Soldiers distributed backpacks to the students in each classroom.

"It's a great looking school and it's cool to give out school supplies to help them kick off a new school," said 1st Lt. Jeffery Wollenman, a fire support officer from Irving, Texas. "Before this school, there was not a female secondary school, so it's kind of a big deal."