DRAFT – LTC Nantz Bridge Dedication Ceremony

LTC Eric W. Nantz – Al Hamza Bridge Dedication Ceremony – 0900, 24 August 2003 It is truly a great honor to stand with you today on this new bridge. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that had a part in the building of this bridge between these two great communities. I would like to especially thank the advisory councils of Al Noor and Ghazalea, for your hard work and cooperation. You have taken a great idea and made it a reality. I want to personally thank Engineer Basil for taking a vision, putting it on paper, acquiring the resources and supervising the work. I am really excited about the progress that I can now see here and in other areas of our communities. I hope that this project along with the completion of many other community projects will encourage not only those assembled here but also others to join in being a part of the rebuilding of Iraq. This bridge represents much more than just dirt and concrete. It is a link between two communities. More importantly I believe it represents a bridge to the Iraqi future A bridge is a great symbol of hope not only for bridging a gap between two communities but also for building a way to a brighter tomorrow. There is no doubt there will be many challenges as we continue across the bridge to a democratic future. As it took time to erect this bridge, it will also take time to build the future we all desire. With the resources and talent assembled here and throughout this country I believe the future looks very bright - for this community, for Baghdad and for all of Iraq. I am extremely encouraged by this small step. I believe it is an indicator of much bigger and brighter things to come. The next few weeks and months may not be easy - but I am convinced that with every ones hard work and with God’s help - success will follow. Thank all of you very much for your dedication and hard work. KEY PERSONNEL LTC Eric Nantz – 1-325 AIR Commander Mr. Basil Tawak – Bridge designer, head supervisor 1LT John Prettyman – Coalition coordinator for the Al Hamza Bridge Project Mr. Ali Hussain Shatte – Al Noor DAC representative – former NAC chairman Mr. Salman D. Salman – Ghazeliyah NAC chairman