Hatra

Fort Lewis-based Stryker brigade soldiers and an Iraqi police officer climb to the top of an ancient temple Monday in Hatra. The city is one of two places in Iraq to be designated by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. A U.N.

Hatra

The ruins of the ancient city of Hatra blend Greek, Roman and Arab architecture. Remains of public baths, statues and defensive towers give a feel for its former grandeur.

There is an historical element to the counter-insurgency work our Soldiers are doing in Iraq, once known as Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization.

HATRA, IRAQ – Remains of the giant columns, temples and fortifications of the 2,600-year-old city of Hatra tower over the Iraqi desert.

This was a major city along the Silk Road. Hatra sent caravans of traders throughout the Middle East with spices, woodwork and gems. It was a tolerant center of diverse religions that twice repulsed Roman invaders.

Now the 1st Battalion of the 37th Field Artillery Regiment from Fort Lewis does daily combat patrols in the area, and religious tolerance is hard to come by. Just a month ago, a suicide car bomber killed several people in the neighboring settlement of al-Hatra.

But the U.S. soldiers draw inspiration from the beautiful ruins, hoping someday they can be a world-renowned center of tourism.

“It’s remarkable that it’s still standing in a place of pretty much chaos,” said Capt. Alex Aquino, a 26-year-old who lived in Tacoma before the Stryker brigade deployed in July. “It’s like there is some hope, if this thing can last after all the stuff that has happened in Iraq.”

Archeologists have been concerned about damage done to the ruins during the Battle of Iraq. There has been looting by insurgents and stockpiles of weapons found and destroyed nearby. Local sheiks have asked US Soldiers to help protect the ruins.

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So What’s Everybody Talking About?

October 18 - 19, 2006

Just link and trackback to this post. Nothing to it but to do it.

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chezDiva has some beauty tips and says it really is about the hair.

The Median Sib reflects on blogging.

Toasted Bread sets the record straight about The Spanish National Day Parade and the crowds reaction to Zapatero’s disrespect for the U.S. flag.

7.62 Justice explains why being called islamophobic isn’t necessarily an insult.

Peace Moonbeam and Jimmy Jong-Il (Squid) try to stop North Korea’s nuclear tests without success. Even worse, Jimmy Jong-Il goes over to the dark side.

Just Raven has some beautiful fall pictures of Maine.

Adam is vidblogging - go check out his new video.

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