Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed, Mussayyib district IP chief, unveils a memorial honoring fallen IPs during a private ceremony May 9 at the Mussayib IP Station. Courtesy photo.

“These men gave their lives for the people of Iraq and history will show their achievements when Iraq is one country … these men will live forever in our hearts and they are the reason why we are able to live free,” said Lt. Col. Mohammed, district IP chief.

Local leaders and sheikhs in the Musayyib area have been working on the memorial for the past three months in order to honor those fallen since Mohammed took command.

Major Stephen Capehart said the celebration was an awesome event for Coalition forces to be present at the unveiling, which shows the relationship they have formed with the people of Musayyib. Capehart is the commander of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.