by Pvt. Jared N. Gehmann
3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B PAO 

photo by Pvt. Jared Gehmann/3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B PAO Lt. Col. Michael Shinners, of Alexandria, Va., walks with Iraqi army Capt. Abbas Kadhum and surveys the grounds surrounding the Arch of Ctesiphon during a site assessment mission Aug. 5 in Salman Pak, Iraq. Shinners and other officials hope to start improving the area by cleaning up all the trash, fencing in the area, and planting trees and grass. Shinners serves as the deputy brigade commander for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

SALMAN PAK, Iraq — In an attempt to restore national pride and tourism to one of the oldest landmarks in Iraq, American paratroopers and Iraqi army soldiers discussed plans for renovating the area surrounding the famous Arch of Ctesiphon in Salman Pak, Aug. 5.

The all-brick arch was built nearly 16 centuries ago and is one of the oldest free-standing arches in the world. But years of neglect and war in the region have transformed the once popular attraction into an Iraqi army outpost surrounded by acres of trash and rubble. 

However, as conditions in Iraq continue to improve, a new effort to renovate the area was discussed between U.S. and Iraqi army officials during a site assessment mission the hopes of bringing some heritage back to the people of the greater Ma’dain region.

“About 25 years ago, this area was very popular and people came from all over Iraq to trade at the marketplace that used to be here,” said Iraqi Capt. Abbas Kadhum, an Iraqi army officer who grew up in the region and currently oversees the outpost around the arch. “There was music playing all the time here, and the large fountain used to have running water that the kids would play in.”

Iraqi and coalition forces discussed their hopes to start projects at the arch site within the next few months.

“The first thing we are going to try and do is build a fence around this area and plant grass and trees, trying to make the area more beautiful and inviting,” said Capt. Dallas Cheatham, of Fayetteville, the commanding officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division — Baghdad, who is also taking a large part in the project.

Cheatham said another goal is to bring tourism to the area that will display Iraq’s history and culture. 

“The Iraqi people need a sense of pride and heritage for their country and few places in Iraq are as symbolic as the arch,” he said