Charlie Wilson in Baghdad

It's been quite a while since I've made it to a concert. Charlie Wilson performed at Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, Iraq. The troops went nuts!!! I, personally, don't think I've seen a show that good ever. Charlie Wilson really is a bad dude.

I must say I was surprised. He's got to be like 60-something-years-old and he was performing like he just turned 21. The troops and civilians there even surprised me. I've never watched more than one hundred people do the 'Electric Slide' all at one time. It happened tonight though. Charlie had 'em hyped!!!

Suicide Prevention

Around these parts suicide prevention is a huge topic partly because it happens in combat zones regularly. However, a young woman committed suicide here recently. It's unfortunate no one could save her because she was alone when it happened. Her unit held a memorial ceremony and I attended. It made me feel extremely sad to listen to what kind of young woman she was; full of life and laughter. The Soldier was 20-years-old. She hadn't even experienced life yet. At that age everything is in front of you.

Now, on the flip side, I personally understand how hard life can be here. You're in a combat zone and at anytime you could get blown up by a road side bomb or be murdered by sniper fire. When one thinks about it, it is truly scary. Knowing there are individuals plotting on your life, day after day, is a frightening experience... And that's what we live with daily.

When you throw domestic issues on top of that, stress becomes one of the main reasons people take their lives in a combat zone. I've heard many horror stories. Wives cleaning out bank accounts. Families moving to other countries. Family members getting killed and the servicemember not being allowed to go home to grieve properly. The life of a troop in a combat zone is truly difficult... In a mental sense and definitely in a physical sense.

A man, named Francis Reynolds, said this morning that there are no reasons to take your life. I, personally, agree with this. I do not know of any reason to ever take your own life. There is nothing that bad in this world that should encourage or discourage a person enough to commit suicide.

I'm telling you right now that if you are ever feeling stressed, send me a message. We can talk. We can chat. We can do what is necessary to help you through your crisis. I'm available on twitter. I'm available on myspace and facebook. I'm available on email at new84kid@yahoo.com so please contact me so we can talk. I'm very sure that it'll help you feel better. I'm sure that everyone around you will be happy that you decided to stay with us another day.

Some Wild Things

I saw some wild things while traveling to the southern parts of Iraq. The cities included Talil and Umm Sa'ah in the Maysan Province.

While I was traveling I ran into a young Soldier who was tasked to clean the Outhouses and burn feces. I also saw a weird flock of birds take over a surveillance tower. They were deep! I even saw one of the most unusual ways to sleep. A Soldier was waiting for his flight in Talil and didn't want to miss it so he slept in the flight terminal with his alarm clock sitting in front of him. Wild!

Check them out.