Marines strengthen relationships through medical care

by Pfc. Jerry Murphy
RCT-1 PAO

MUDIQ, Iraq (July 17, 2008) – To strengthen their relationship with local Iraqis, Marines of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, conducted a combined medical engagement earlier this month. “The people need to see our presence – know we are here to help them,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. McDonald, a corpsman with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines. “Our support through (medicines), food, stickers, suckers and interaction with the children is very important.”

Combined medical engagements provide medical attention to those incapable of affording or reaching a clinic that provides proper medical care. Throughout the afternoon, corpsmen treated several hundred Iraqi patients. “The Iraqis see that we are here to help them and, in turn, begin to realize that we are not here to hurt them,” said McDonald, a 25-year-old from Hanover Park, Ill. “We’re here to bring them hope.”

Female Marines were on hand to search Iraqi women and children in accordance with Muslim traditions. “Having us there really fostered a positive image, showing the Iraqis that we care enough about them to (respect their traditions),” said Capt. Lisa M. O’Brien, the communications officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron 374. “We’ve seen at least 300 people today and without (female Marines) here helping, it would make it hard on not only the Marines, but the Iraqis as well.”

Attending her first medical engagement, Lance Cpl. Amanda R. Carnagey, 20, from Vancouver, Wash., said she was a little nervous beforehand, but calmed down eventually and had fun interacting with the Iraqi people for the first time. “It was a blast. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but it turned out to be a great experience,” Carnagey said. “It was funny; the Iraqi women would come at you and try to do everything they could to get us to understand what they needed, using hand gestures while speaking in Arabic. It was confusing at first, but I got it towards the end and just had fun. If I could volunteer to go out again, I would in a heartbeat. It was very rewarding knowing that I was actually out there helping the Iraqi people.”

Two Iraqi sisters pose for a photo after receiving medic treatment at a combined medical engagement in Mudiq, Iraq. Medical care was provided by Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1.

Source: CENTCOM.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Rosemary's News and Ideas.