14 August 2007: "The Peoples' Champ" returns to H6

I have to back up and tell everyone about something else that happened yesterday. It directly affected events that unfolded today. While I was having supper with the group commander the night before I heard someone call out my name. Looking around I saw an Army Specialist running over to me. It was the same guy I came to the defense of during the last Balad Idol. If you aren’t familiar with what I’m talking about then refer back to April and read about the Balad Idol competition. The specialist told me that he was in the competition again. I didn’t even know there was another competition. He asked me to come cheer him on. At considerable risk of being lynched, I agreed to return to the AF recreation center to cheer for him. It turned out that the competition was tonight.

Now I’ll get back to today. The group commander is in town. When I came into the office this morning I made certain the office was straight. Everyone was busy. I gave them a quick refresher for the day’s schedule. At 1300 he commander arrived for his briefing. He brought a big entourage. It included two sergeants major and another lieutenant colonel. I assembled my team and began the briefing. Everything went well. At the end he remarked, “excellent briefing, good job.” Then the entire entourage got up and left. The whole thing lasted about forty minutes. As soon as they were gone I told the team to take care of whatever personal business they needed to resolve. Our next event involving the commander was a hail and farewell at 1700. I took off to the gym. My workouts had been elusive the past few days.

At 1700 we experienced the military adage of “hurry up and wait.” We all were standing tall in the “Audie Murphy Room” of DFAC 1 at precisely 1700. However, nobody else showed up until 1730. Then the group commander and his entourage didn’t arrive until after 1800. While we waited I told everyone to go ahead and grab chow. After all, it was Mongolian BBQ night. At around 1830 we finally started the hail and farewell. We welcomed a couple of new folks and then said goodbye to a long time member of the unit that provides operational support to my team. He’s been in Iraq for 21 straight months. Although we’ll certainly miss him, he’s definitely ready to get out of here. His next stop is Korea.

At this point you’ll need to refer back to the first paragraph. I’ll pick the story back up. After the hail and farewell I left the DFAC to venture back to forbidden territory – the AF H6 recreation center. I had no idea what to expect but had already decided to just lay low and cheer on the specialist. When I arrived it was like returning to a crime scene. I hadn’t even walked five steps inside before I was mobbed by several AF and Army personnel. They immediately asked if I would sing, could I do TNT, would I please shake up the place. At first I said no. People kept asking. The specialist, the DJ, one of the BI judges, a host of people I didn’t even know (or remember), etc. – they all kept asking. Finally, I relented. I agreed that as long as it wasn’t part of the competition I’d sing TNT. Around 2130 it happened. I was brought back onstage at H6. When I was handed the microphone I acknowledged the crowd. Then I rocked the place. People were up on their chairs cheering, everyone was screaming “Oy! Oy! Oy!” There was no sign of trouble. At the end I said “thank you everybody, H6 – I still love you. If you can find another LTC in Iraq that does what I just did I’ll give you $20.” Then I walked off, high-fiving folks the whole way. I don’t think I will start going back to H6. However, it was funny to make such a triumphant return. It was like the return of “The Peoples’ Champ”. But the night wasn’t about me, it was about the specialist. Once the place died down the competition resumed. He did outstanding. Unfortunately tonight wasn’t the final. He did get voted on to the final though. I can’t be there because I’ll be on mission. It was cool to see him perform again. The ogre chief was nowhere to be seen. Equilibrium seemed to have been restored at H6. Everyone was happy.

The specialist told me he only has about 30 days before he redeploys. Although I won’t see him perform at the final I do hope to see him again prior to his departure. He’s a good soldier performing dangerous work daily and still finding time to have fun. His whole unit deserves a hero’s welcome upon their return to Arkansas.