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DEL.ICIO.USSoldiers manage to soak up some relief
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bita Honarvar/AJC
From left, Corp. Michael Lanham of Chicago, Spc. Tricia Frankewich of Macon and Spc. Steven Listwan of Addison, Ill., lounge in a kiddie pool as Pfc. Tracy Jacobson snaps a photo as a keepsake. “We get in the pool to relax after pulling long, hot, sweaty, 12-hour shifts,” Listwan said.
Camp Striker, Iraq - Like every other soldier here, Spc. Steve Listwan, a high school history teacher from Addison, Ill., asked his family to send him creature comforts from home.
“I told [my dad] we’re desperate; that we needed some recreation,” Listwan said.
His father went to a garage sale to pick up a few things and when Listwan opened his package from home a few days ago, out came a $2 swimming pool.
Yes, an inflatable swimming pool that comfortably holds four. Listwan said his wife threw in a few smoothie mixes to complete the party.
Listwan - a member of the 133rd Signal Battalion from Chicago, which is attached to the 48th Brigade Combat Team - tried filling up his new pool with 5-gallon jugs but that took almost two hours.
“It was more work than it was worth,” he said.
So Listwan and his friend, Cpl. Michael Lanham, a paramedic from Chicago, talked the driver of a water tanker into coming by to fill up their new pool.
And, voila. Pool party on a balmy Baghdad afternoon. Temperatures holding at 125 degrees.
“It’s like bath water,” said Spc. Tricia Frankewich, a homemaker from Macon who works in the brigade’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
“We’re working our butts off here,” Frankewich said. “We deserve a little relaxation.”
There is a swimming pool available for soldiers who are staying at the bases around the Baghdad International Airport, but it’s at Camp Liberty, which can sometimes take up to 90 minutes to reach by shuttle bus.
Listwan said he understood the concept of a 24-hour soldier. “I’d be up in a minute and in uniform if they needed me,” he said. But for now, he was ready to soak up a few rays.
Sunbathing in Baghdad? This is a place where not even SPF 70 can save you.
“I can take care of that,” Lanham piped in. “I’m a medic.”
To which Listwan, his skin rivaling the his red hair, responded: “Next, we’ll need a lifeguard.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Jen
August 6, 2005 08:19 PM | Link to this
After everything that i have been reading this past week, it is good to see something funny and uplifting. You guys deserve the relaxation. We are all thinking of you.
By ray conlan
August 6, 2005 09:54 PM | Link to this
Do you guys ever report the opening of a new school, opening of a new business, the joy of family freedom?
Guess not, you losers just want to focus on the negative.
Simply anti-American…
Ray
By Amy L
August 7, 2005 12:06 AM | Link to this
HOOAH!!
By Christina Penrod
August 7, 2005 12:59 AM | Link to this
Enjoy it guys you deserve it!!!
By Doris
August 7, 2005 02:10 AM | Link to this
Thanks Moni for letting us know that ours guys and girls still have their sense of humur. And to the 133rd, we are all praying for you.
By John
August 7, 2005 07:51 AM | Link to this
As you can see, there is nothing a soldier cant improvise. God Bless em!
By sw
August 7, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
It’s good to see some of the soldiers in the 48th get to relax some after the stressful patrols. Lord knows they need some relief. Someone in one of the comments said there is going to be a military family march on Washington Sept. 24th. I would like to get more information on this march and attend. Could someone direct me to a website or an email address?
By tammy
August 7, 2005 01:26 PM | Link to this
You guys and girls deserve an ocean of cool water for all that you are doing over there!!! Keep it up!
By tammy
August 7, 2005 10:29 PM | Link to this
I believe that is the march in the UK, it is for those against the war, peace mongers. I could be wrong though. Anyone else help on this one?
By LT Dan
August 8, 2005 04:02 AM | Link to this
Oh, to be a rear echelon Signal soldier…
By Kate
August 8, 2005 07:50 AM | Link to this
Great photo! (you chickenhawks posting here should go sign-up to serve instead of complaining the news is bad. War IS negative. Iraqis have 9 hours of power a day living in 130 F. temps and you want to talk about happy things? Pleeze.)
By Chief
August 8, 2005 02:21 PM | Link to this
I agree with Lt. Dan and Ray Conlan’s remarks. Oh it is nice to be REMF’s. I do not begrudge those soldiers any of life’s comforts because they are serving our Nation and the Iraqi’s. My son is at FOB Richardson without enough water for showers or laundry. They don’t have a PX so I would appreciate a new article posted so that if or when my son’s platoon gets internet service again, this doesn’t make them so envious. There are many positive things going on there that our 48th soldiers are a part of. These two new reporters need to get out of Stryker and start reporting. Schools, hospitals, bridges, sewerage treatment facilities, water treatment and power are some things our engineers are probably doing. The base and checkpoints around it that my son’s platoon is on was attacked last week in a military-style assault that was repelled by our guys and the Iraqi army soldiers with air support, etc. We inflicted some losses on the enemy for a change. My point is that Moni can’t report sitting back at Stryker. She needs to get out there and find out if our soldiers have the equipment they need and if the Iraqi Army is making progress in their training so they can take over these jobs and our soldiers can come home. To the men and women in the 48th I want you to know that support for you is stronger than ever back home. Stay safe, do your jobs (on the front lines and in the rear), may God Bless and Protect each of you and we will see back home soon. Thank you for what you and your families have sacrificed for the cause of freedom.
By Heather
August 8, 2005 02:25 PM | Link to this
It’s so good to see smiles… we hope to see you all home soon. God Bless you all.
By Eric
August 9, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this
Yeah, REMF’s. I was talking to one of my buddies at Roe the other day and told him about that photo. I do think any and every creature comfort that ANYONE can get over there is great, but it made my heart go out to my buddies at Roe. Having to defacate in bags while out on a 48 hr ambush so as to not leave any traces that you were there, not getting a bath for 3-4 days. I do take pride in my boys getting a little payback though, caught a couple of guys out laying an IED during rush hour, 5 seconds and 70-80 rds later, 2 insurgent would be bombers KIA. One less IED going off on that road and less potential for more 48th KIA/WIA due to IED. That is what I call good news, letting the bad guys think twice about setting up something on that route. God bless everyone with the 48th, REMF’s too 8-) but especially the guys at Roe cause I know their creature comforts are few and far between. Good Job fellas, you all know who you are. We love and miss ya’ll, stay as safe as possible. Eric aka Stik
By AM
August 9, 2005 01:24 PM | Link to this
I would like to get more information about the soldiers at Camp Row. My husband is one of the many soldiers there and like it was said in previous comments, all we see is about Camp Stryker. “Nene siempre en mi mente, alma y corazon”
By Laura
August 9, 2005 10:38 PM | Link to this
My husband is at FOB Saint Michael & haven’t heard anything about that place at all. No pictures have been taken there since they have been overseas. I would really like to see something other than Camp Stryker.
Proud Army Wife
By Sherry
August 10, 2005 11:07 PM | Link to this
It is great to see these guys having fun and I hope there is more of that to come. If we need to we’ll ship more blow up pools. We love you all and hope you all get to come home soon and safe. Camp Striker has had a bad week and its good to see things looking up this week. Take care and we are all praying for you all. Proud American !!
By Ben (Greenville, SC)
August 11, 2005 10:36 AM | Link to this
I see a recliner & cot.
Who can ship the beach umbrellas and coolers?
By George & Nora
August 17, 2005 04:06 PM | Link to this
Hi Darryl! Hope all is well with you & your group! It would be great to see you & hear what it is like you you in that far-away place. Take care of yourself, & we hope ypu’ll be coming home soon!
Love, George & Nora