AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKaraoke great way to meet a fellow GI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Liberty, Iraq — They had heard about a soldier named Chuck who wore bright orange tennis shoes with his Army-issued gym clothes and stood on stage every Thursday night at one of Camp Liberty’s recreation facilities. With microphone in hand, he was a transformed soldier, singing his heart out to the crowd.
Soldiers of a Gainesville-based infantry unit decided to “check out Chuck” on karaoke night.
Diversion is a vital necessity for soldiers who go on exhausting patrols all day and night. The officers of the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment’s Charlie Company grabbed a table and played rounds of cards while soldiers queued up for their chance to shine.
“It’s fun. I love to sing,” said Staff Sgt. Renee Newfrock, 47, of the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade, after belting out a rendition of Melissa Etheridge’s “Come Through My Window.”
“This is a great way to meet people,” said Newfrock, from Ft. Drum, N.Y., where the 10th Mountain is based.
Next up: Sgt. Tikoi Mangual, 30, from the same unit. He sang “Lady in Red.”
“It’s my ice-breaker song,” said Mangual, originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico. “I get up there with butterflies. But this is great. It breaks up the monotony here.”
None of the Georgia soldiers dared to show off their vocal skills. But they offered plenty of moral support, even holding up lighters for encore performances.
At times, it was almost as though they were home. At a bar in Buckhead or Roswell — minus the civilian clothes and alcohol, of course.
“This is actually enjoyable,” said 1st Lt. Will Phillips, 35, a fulltime Guard soldier from Roswell.
After a litany of songs and endless rounds of cards, the Georgia crowd was ready to call it a night. They would, apparently, have to come back another time to catch Chuck, though his very existence was by then in question.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Stacy L.
January 20, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this
I love reading posts like this. In a war zone, diversion is a great thing. Our soldiers need to be able to wind down in order to stay on top of their game. Stay strong, guys!