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DEL.ICIO.USWar-torn unit finds relief in talent show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Striker, Iraq â€â€? Three times over the past two weeks, soldiers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team gathered at the stage here to grieve for their fallen comrades.
But the tears turned to laughter on a recent night as a brigade talent show drew soldiers primarily from the two units that suffered the casualties � the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment and the 648th Engineer Battalion.
Spc. Robert Davenport of Lithonia dances in the audience during the entertainment.• MORE PHOTOS
After a moment of silence to remember the 11 soldiers who have died in bomb attacks since July 24, the show got under way just as a C-130 transport plane roared overhead in its takeoff from Baghdad International Airport. From devotional songs to rap, from poetry to dance, about a dozen performers took the stage to demonstrate their talents.
Organized by Spc. Clayton Jones and Spc. Patrick Afeku of the 648th Engineers, the show provided some much-needed diversion for some deployment-weary soldiers.
“It’s getting their minds off some of this bad stuff that’s happened,” said Jones, who builds school buses in Montezuma in civilian life.
Jones said he was worried about the event taking place where the memorial services have been held, but then he decided to go ahead with the show.
The sound of music drowned out the constant buzz of nearby electrical generators and planes and choppers overhead. No one seemed to mind the hot wind blowing dust in their faces.
Jones, who runs a music studio, was looking for serious talent to sign when he goes home.
The star of this show by a large margin was “T. Jones,” otherwise known as Spc. Tarinzo Jones, who sings with a band called Simple Pleasures at home in Dillon, S.C. For an encore performance, he sang “Lovers and Friends” by Usher, Ludacris and Lil’ Jon.
Turnout wasn’t the best â€â€? some of the bleachers were empty. Many of the 648th soldiers couldn’t attend because they were on a mission in southwest Baghdad.
But it was all worth it for organizer Jones. In these difficult moments of a long deployment, he had put smiles on the faces of his fellow soldiers.
Comments
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By Sandy Cutshaw
August 10, 2005 07:40 AM | Link to this
Thank You so much for this story..It is great to see that the soldiers can get a little bit of relaxation in Iraq..I think it was well deserved. I thank god everyday for all of you over there.We pray for your safe return.Thank you again for this story,It’s great that you can report the happy times as well as the sad..Stay safe and prayers are with you all..
By Michael Castagna
August 10, 2005 02:55 PM | Link to this
We are all proud of you Company B, 1-108th Armor. As a former member of your company you are tought of often. God Bless all of you and keep up the great work. You are my heros.
Mike Castagna
By SPC Jeremy K. Nixon
August 17, 2005 11:56 PM | Link to this
I am currently serving with the 108th AR in Iraq. I knew all three of the soldiers involved in the rollover accident, one very well. SPC Dingler has brought so many smiles, laughs, and memories to my life. I am privileged and honored to have known him, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to go to war with. He was only a month older than I am; he was a brother to me. We had SO much in common we were good friends when we first met at FT Stewart. Kate he talked about you all the time. You are truly loved and you kept him driving on. My thoughts, prayers, and heart go out to all of the families, girlfriends, wives, sons, and daughters who lost a loved one. They are in better hands now. As for me I support our President and so did these three soldiers. They thought it was a cause worth dying for and so do I. I will pray for you all daily and my God be with you. I will see you all soon. With all my love, SPC Jeremy Nixon
SPC Jeremy K. Nixon HHC 1-108th AR/48th BCT/3rd ID APO AE 09372