 Heroes
do more than just destroy
their enemies: They also
build up their friends.
During an eight-month
deployment in Iraq, Chief
Cissell oversaw $30 million
worth of reconstruction
efforts in southwest
Baghdad.
When his team of 20 people
arrived in an area known as
the “Triangle of Death,”
they faced neighborhoods
without utilities, schools
without supplies, and
hospitals that were
inoperable. As the team
began to build up the
infrastructure, insurgents
attempted to thwart the
reconstruction efforts. On
two occasions they succeeded
by destroying a council
building and a police
station.
Cissell had the buildings
rebuilt; a signal that
reconstruction efforts could
be slowed but not defeated.
Cissell's job was largely
one of management: He had to
work with engineers and
local contractors, with
mayors and local sheiks, all
in an effort to make sure
that the construction
efforts were geared to what
the townspeople and local
governments wanted.
In all, Cissell's team built
14 schools, four hospitals,
five main water stations,
four sewage pumping
stations, two council
buildings, two major police
stations, and several
electrical grids to
distribute power throughout
the neighborhoods.
For his leadership and
service, Cissell was awarded
the Bronze Star on Dec. 8,
2006. |
