Members of the 354th strike it rich

Army Reserve soldiers from the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade from Riverdale Park, Maryland, have struck it rich. In a compound that had been home to Special Republican Guard officers, the soldiers found at least $4 million in crisp U.S. bills that had been hidden in sealed compartments in an L-shaped bunker.

"I'm just awed," said Col. Dave Blackledge, Commander of the 354th, which had just arrived in Baghdad to assess war damage, and support relief and reconstruction efforts. "I guess we can rebuild Iraq now," he joked.

According to a statement written in Arabic and witnessed by five men whose signatures attested to the contents of the compartments, the money was hidden on March 16, just three days prior to the start of the war.

Capt. Krispian McCullar of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and 1st Sgt. Dale Blosser of Mt. Sidney, Virginia, were the first to break through the five-inch thick wall made of brick and mortar that housed the currency 40,000 tightly packed and bank-wrapped $100 bills.

Several soldiers said their interests mm were piqued by the small wire cages W that lined two sides of the bunker, apparently to hold small guard dogs or chemically sensitive birds. They also were puzzled by the presence in the enclosed courtyard of a new glass-walled room that seemed to be a guardhouse. The cages and guardhouse all suggested close surveillance of the bunker and its contents.

After everyone was given the opportunity to fondle the money, Col. Blackledge rounded up every packet and made sure the box went to a secured location.

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Several soldiers said their interests were piqued by the small wire cages that lined two sides of the bunker...