Forwarded by Anthony Fenton:
The Associated Press State & Local Wire
February 14, 2005, Monday, BC cycle
HEADLINE: Disgraced MP unit has humanitarian mission in Haiti
DATELINE: CRESAPTOWN, Md.
BODY:
The Army Reserve unit at the center of the Iraqi prisoner-abuse scandal
has a new assignment: providing security for a humanitarian mission in
Haiti.
About 40 members of the 372nd Military Police Company have volunteered for
the joint mission with the Navy, Capt. Michael Rauh, the unit's commander,
told the Cumberland Times-News for a story published Sunday. He said the
mission involves renovating schools and clinics and drilling wells in
areas devastated by hurricanes last year.
Staff Sgt. Edwin Ramos, operations sergeant at the 372nd's headquarters in
western Maryland, said Monday that some of the reservists hope to redeem
their unit's tarnished reputation.
"They want to show the world they have a big heart. They way I see it,
they live up to the Army values of honor, courage and selfless service,"
he said.
Seven of the unit's members were charged last year with abusing detainees
at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad. Four received prison terms, one was
demoted and two have yet to be tried.
Rauh said the mission in Haiti is an opportunity for unit members to
fulfill an annual, two-week training requirement. He said troops from six
different companies are going to Haiti in eight rotations. The first group
is already there, he said.
Rauh succeeded Capt. Donald J. Reese, who commanded the 372nd in Iraq.
Reese, of New Stanton, Pa., now works for the 400th MP Battalion
headquarters at Fort Meade, officials said.
See Also: http://www.antiwar.com/news/?articleid=2444
# posted by ArnieHoffman : 11:57 a.m.
