Trying to prove that Hawijah, Iraq is now safe and free of insurgents, Lt. Col. Christopher Vanek, commander, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry and Sons of Iraq leader Khalaf Ibrahim Ali sat down together to play a game of Checkers in a local market, once a hotbed of insurgent activity.

The game was deliberately planned and photographers were present in order to convince residents that it was now safe to get on with their lives.

(source, image from staff member on active US military duty)