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DEL.ICIO.USSoldier uses music to chase Baghdad blues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bita Honarvar/AJC
Spc. Edward Middleton strums Green Day’s “Good Riddance” on a friend’s guitar in the searing afternoon heat Saturday in Baghdad.
Camp Striker, Iraq - Not too many folks would find it appealing to sit outside under a searing Baghdad sun to strum a few notes on the guitar. Much less find it relaxing.
But Spc. Edward Middleton doesn’t mind the debilitating heat. “This weather doesn’t bother me one bit,” he said.
Besides, he said, it’s a great way get a tan.
Middleton, 22, of Macon, began playing guitar five years ago when he was in high school. He and several of his buddies had an Alvarez acoustic guitar shipped to Baghdad ahead of the 48th Brigade Combat Team’s deployment to Iraq. They share it to play a few songs after long, grueling days patrolling the uncertain streets of the Iraqi capital.
“I like all sorts of music - rap, oldies, rock,” said Middleton, on his second tour of Iraq. He was here in 2003, with a unit attached to the 3rd Infantry Division. “One thing I was never keen on though was classical. Really couldn’t get into it.”
His favorite piece to play is a Christian song called “Breathe” that he learned a long time ago.
While most other off-duty soldiers were hibernating in their air-conditioned tents Saturday afternoon, Middleton decided to wait outside on a friend to go play volleyball later.
Just a soldier, a folding chair and a few peaceful chords to take away the Baghdad blues.
So does he ever think of entertaining his tent buddies?
Middleton laughed. “Well, I try not to,” he said, “because they tend to show me up.”
Comments
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By Robert Hobbs
July 30, 2005 06:12 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Specialist Middleton for his guitar playing in the desert. Maybe his music career will take off with a bit more practice (ha-ha). I’m planning on learning to play the guitar myself.
By Pam and Tom Brooks
July 30, 2005 07:18 PM | Link to this
it was good to see the SPC. had a guitar. we sent our son’s guitar 8 weeks ago and we are waiting to see if it arrived.
By Jessica
July 30, 2005 07:22 PM | Link to this
Has anyone else been having communication diffulties with their soldier’s at Camp Striker?
By cindy
July 30, 2005 09:41 PM | Link to this
Jessica, yes I seldom hear from my loved one, but I know how busy he is and how little time he has to sleep. So, most of the time unless 2-3 days have gone by I just say, “No news is good news and move on.”
By NANCY
July 31, 2005 12:46 AM | Link to this
YES,FOR ABOUT THE TWO OR THREE WEEK THE COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN AWFUL, HARDLY ANY PHONE CALL AND WHEN HE DOES CALL,BAD CONNECTION OR DISCONNECTION. ALSO EMAIL DOWN MAJORITY OF THE TIME. I UNDERSTAND ALOT OF THINGS GOING ON,BUT NOT HEARING IS THE WORSE THING.MY SOLDIER IS NOT A WRITER HE EITHER CALLS OR EMAILES. I GUESS WE JUST PLAY THE WAITING GAME. I JUST LIKE TO HEAR SOMETHING,IT BETTER THAN NOTHING.
By K. Poole
July 31, 2005 01:04 AM | Link to this
Jessica,
Yes, there has been some difficulties. Start trying again tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon/evening EST.
To SPC Middleton, kudos! Glad to see, even on your second tour, you can find the time to relax, and do your own thing.
Keep your head on a swivel, and stay safe. We’ll see you soon!
By kristy hutton
July 31, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this
jessica, yes!!! their network is awful. and my hubbie says sometimes the wait for a phone is an hour and the internet is slow and they are very very busy. i just got my 1st phone call from my hubbie in 2 1/2 months!! thanx so much to the AJC for keeping me updated on whats going. my heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. your son/husband/brother/father were wonderful men and will always be remembered. to my husband, SPC chris hutton, i love you so very very much and i am so proud of you. kisses
By M. Rich
July 31, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this
K. Poole, your man is doing fine. Thanks for the support back home and watching the blogs. I’ll tell him to call. MSR
By Debora
July 31, 2005 12:52 PM | Link to this
I see the Striker problems with communication, but at least now you can see what the guys from the combat zone @ St Michael have been tolerating this entire deployment…yes this is WAR…and we are lucky to even be able to make contact as often as we currently are acheiving! The soldiers at Michael have been living in horable conditions, unlike those at Striker and Liberty, but they have made it tolerable for themselves…. BLACCKOUTS ROUTINE MORTAR ATTACKS, ONLY BOILED FOOD NO MAIL AND LOST MAIL
Now how do you feel….the families with those at St. Michael have had to understand this war a little eariler than those of other FOB’s….get a grip! When the conditions get better for those whom live and serve at Michael…that’s when others may deliver a little sympathy for others!
By Sharon
July 31, 2005 01:12 PM | Link to this
My son is at Camp Striker. Fortunately, he took his laptop computer with him, and he uses the wireless internet connections on base. We “talk” through AOL’s Instant Messenger about every other day. If we aren’t using IM, we email each other. A couple of days ago, I asked my son to send me a quick email if there are any other injuries to soldiers of the 48th so that I would know immediately that he was ok. He told me today that the base shuts down all internet connections until families are notified of any injuries to their soldiers. Last week I sent him a web cam so that I will be able to see him when we are “talking” on IM. If I were not able to communicate with my son constantly, I would go insane. I know how lucky I am! Thank goodness for technology!
By W
July 31, 2005 09:02 PM | Link to this
Debora - I fee so sorry for you. You must be glad that communications are better than in WWII and Vietnam. You may not have survived that era of history.
Personally - I think the Soldiers at the FOBs (not just one) should have the same accomodations as at Stryker and Liberty. They shouldn’t have to sew up their pants. They should have a shower every day and hot meals. They are all American Soldiers; however, I’m not in charge so I can’t make it happen. But don’t get in an uproar with those who have heard from their Soldiers and are asking if suddenly there is a lack of communication at Camp Stryker. I don’t hear from my Soldier at Stryker every day either. They have visits from mortar rounds, too. They just aren’t out on those highways every day; however, they, too, have to go on those roads from time to time in support of those at the FOBs.
As far as I’m concerned every Soldier there (all services, that is) should have suites with all the amenities of the best hotels and have the best food that is in existence. They should never be exposed to enemy fire nor accidents. They should be home with their loved ones. But, again, mu authority ends with the waiting gaime - I just wait here for their return and pay my taxes on time in full. And send boxes over there. That’s my job. I would go with them were I allowed. I pray God will keep them safe and well.
We love you Soldiers of the 48th and pray for your safety and early return. God keep you in His care and send Angels to watch over you. Ooo Hah
By Sonya
August 3, 2005 08:45 PM | Link to this
Debora, It is unfair that any of our loved ones have to be so far from home. It is unfair that some of the soldiers have better living conditions then others. However, those of us left behind can do nothing to change this. It is, also, unfair that you take out your anger on a worried loved one. During this terrible time we should be pulling together and supporting each other. We should be hitting our knees and praying. There is enough meaness in this world already. I would hope that the 48th brigade family and friends would not want to add to it.
By Richard
August 6, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this
Debra,
I am a current soldier at Camp Stryker. Everyday I go out on convoys, an on occasion I go to St. Michaels. Yes they run into a few probs. just like any other place. Stryker gets blackout, just THIS morning we had been mortared. There hasnt been any deaths from St. Michael that I have heard of. But on the other hand havnt you heard the 8 SOLDIERS that died from 2nd Foot. As a matter of fact there FROM stryker. They go out just as much as anyone esle does. How do you think the families feel about loosing there loved ones. On top of that the VERY first attack was with the MP’s with IED. And instead of praying for the soldiers, all you wanna do is complain that Soldiers at St. Michael arent bein recognized. As far as Im concerned, as much as everyone complains theres more talk about St. Michael than anywhere else. So theres your satisfaction. Us soldiers are equal here, and were here to do one thing. Do our job and get home safely. Because as far as Im concerned thats all I care about. And by the way Fob Roe and Joe are in more worse conditions than St. Michaels. So count your blessings and thank god that there not either one of those Fobs. God Bless and Have a Nice day. I hope your loved one makes it home.