Dinner Parties in Baghdad, Putting My Life on the Line for Bullshit
American, Interrupted is the longest, most complete account that exists about Operation Iraq Freedom by a soldier. Learn more about it at www.American-Interrupted.com.
31 March, 2004 2400 (Actually 1 April)
Another day in this wounded country. Tonight we (SGM Walker and CSM Brown) drove to CPA to the “Freedom Rest” compound (former Republican Guard resort) for yet another sergeants major dinner. I encountered another reason to stay out of the Army – why the hell am I putting my life on the line just so a bunch of enlisted good ol’ boys can all hang out and smoke cigars?! What is wrong with these people? They do more “dinners” out here than they do in Germany – and we’re engaged in a Guerilla war here. It’s not right. There’s nothing to celebrate. I’m tired and going to sleep now. I’ll call later. I love you!
After many of the units in Baghdad settled in, there began a trend of hosting and attending a multitude of special events. That could be a goodbye party for some high ranking officer or NCO, an NCO gathering, a cavalry get together across town, a Christmas party, a spur party, a promotion dinner. It seemed there was a dinner every time a high ranking person farted. This is not the case in garrison. There are dinners in Germany, and NCO gatherings every now and then, but nothing like the volume we had in Iraq. What angered me about it was that the soldiers driving and guarding these high ranking people were putting their lives on the line so, for example, a bunch of West Point alumnus could get their picture taken under the crossed sabers on Founder’s Day or something. There was a greater, more important task at hand, one greater than us – one that self congratulating could never help. There was no reason to celebrate, no reason to party, because outside of the walls of our compounds, a rebellion was brewing. It would be a rebellion that no amount of fake beer and Hajji steaks could wipe from our wishful thinking.
The end of March also saw the death of Alistair Cooke, a BBC writer and broadcaster whom I respected greatly. I was able to hear his essays more often while living in Baghdad, where the BBC broadcast the World Service on FM.
American, Interrupted is the longest, most complete account that exists about Operation Iraq Freedom by a soldier. Learn more about it at www.American-Interrupted.com.
31 March, 2004 2400 (Actually 1 April)
Another day in this wounded country. Tonight we (SGM Walker and CSM Brown) drove to CPA to the “Freedom Rest” compound (former Republican Guard resort) for yet another sergeants major dinner. I encountered another reason to stay out of the Army – why the hell am I putting my life on the line just so a bunch of enlisted good ol’ boys can all hang out and smoke cigars?! What is wrong with these people? They do more “dinners” out here than they do in Germany – and we’re engaged in a Guerilla war here. It’s not right. There’s nothing to celebrate. I’m tired and going to sleep now. I’ll call later. I love you!
After many of the units in Baghdad settled in, there began a trend of hosting and attending a multitude of special events. That could be a goodbye party for some high ranking officer or NCO, an NCO gathering, a cavalry get together across town, a Christmas party, a spur party, a promotion dinner. It seemed there was a dinner every time a high ranking person farted. This is not the case in garrison. There are dinners in Germany, and NCO gatherings every now and then, but nothing like the volume we had in Iraq. What angered me about it was that the soldiers driving and guarding these high ranking people were putting their lives on the line so, for example, a bunch of West Point alumnus could get their picture taken under the crossed sabers on Founder’s Day or something. There was a greater, more important task at hand, one greater than us – one that self congratulating could never help. There was no reason to celebrate, no reason to party, because outside of the walls of our compounds, a rebellion was brewing. It would be a rebellion that no amount of fake beer and Hajji steaks could wipe from our wishful thinking.
The end of March also saw the death of Alistair Cooke, a BBC writer and broadcaster whom I respected greatly. I was able to hear his essays more often while living in Baghdad, where the BBC broadcast the World Service on FM.
American, Interrupted is the longest, most complete account that exists about Operation Iraq Freedom by a soldier. Learn more about it at www.American-Interrupted.com.
posted by American, Interrupted at 12:00 AM
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