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DEL.ICIO.USChicken on the grill, Iraq-style
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Moni Basu/AJC
Lt. Michael Zellous, 41, of Riverdale fires up his grill.
Tallil Air Base, Iraq — On the menu at the dining facility here:
Fried chicken, pork chops, veal cutlets, fried rice, taco bar, succotash, mixed vegetables, salad bar, onion rings, French fries, hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken breasts, sandwiches, apple pie, brownies, layer cake and ice-cream.
So much food. And yet, for soldiers spending an entire year deployed in Iraq, it all begins to taste the same after a while. There’s a distinctly bland flavor and not much variation to the daily menu.
Veteran soldiers in the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team scoff at complaints - think about the soldiers who landed on the beaches of Normandy and shivered in the trenches all over Europe,eating cold slop in tin cans. Or C Rations in Vietnam.
Yes, but this is a different world. And Iraq is a vastly different war.
Georgia soldiers have learned to be inventive when keeping their stomachs full, their energy levels up. At some camps, soldiers are offered a wide array of microwavable items they can take back to their tents or trailers. Thai soup bowls, Chef Boyardee spaghetti and meatballs, Ramen noodles, canned soups. Others buy meat at the PX to cook to their liking.
Take 1st Lt. Michael Zellous, for instance. Dressed in his Riverdale High School (where Zellous teaches math) t-shirt worn stylishly over Army-issued long johns, Zellous took time out to clean out his Weber grill.
“I like to cook, he said standing amid a field of gravel at Base Camp Adder’s Living Area III. “I do it all the time at home.”
With that, Zellous fought the chilly wind to light a fire and throw some chicken on the grill.
At Camp Liberty in Baghdad, soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment’s Charlie Company often grill hunks of USDA approved steak - sometimes so thick that it’s impossible to cut with a plastic knife.
At Camp Scania in central Iraq, home to soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, an enterprising young Iraqi named Qasim Jidan opened a small café within the confines of the military base.
The café offers freshly baked Iraqi flat bread, falafel, hot soup, tea and soon, Jidan promised, roasted chicken and kebabs.
“I wanted the soldiers to try Iraqi food,” said Jidan, 22, who also owns a small shop next door.
The soldiers love the café. Unlike the bustling chow hall with its rows and rows of tables and chairs, Jidan’s café offers tables of four - a place for the soldiers to gather and “just hang out” like they would at a restaurant back home.
“It’s a nice break from the chow hall,” said 1st Lt. Jeff Morgan, an engineering inspector from Douglasville. “It’s a good place to come socialize.”
Now, if only they could get a mug of icy cold beer. Alcohol, of course, is forbidden for military personnel in Iraq, but there’s always “near beer.” Odoul’s, Coors and even Becks offer non-alcoholic options.
And no, you still don’t feel a buzz if you drink in quantity. This according to official testing conducted by Georgia soldiers.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Pork? Chops
January 23, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
I understood pork is not allowed in Iraq so what kind of pork chops do they have and from where did they come? I haven’t seen a picture of a hog or pig from Iraq - ever….
By Family Member
January 23, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this
In the article we read, “Alcohol, of course, is forbidden for military personnel in Iraq,” but this should read that it is forbidden for U.S. military personnel. Soldiers from other countries are allowed to live their lives just as they would at home, including having actual bars in their portions of the bases! So it is forbidden for our soldiers, but not for all, definitely not for all. (And yes, I’ve seen photos to prove it!) Glad to hear the guys are able to BBQ like back home!
By wife of 48th
January 24, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this
If the soldiers, while serving in Iraq, want Alcohol—then they sure can get it.. I have seen plenty of pictures and video too of this. I was really kind of shock to see some of the pictures and just how much the soldiers were able to get at one time.. Oh well, guess what the military doesn’t know-won’t hurt them.. It’s kind of like the porn stuff too.. I mean, do you all really know what some of these soldiers are looking at while on line-espthe soldiers that have their own laptop’s and wireless hook up. Come on, we are not stupid—even if some people want to play stupid…
By SPC Kimberly Schatz
January 24, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
Concerning pork: While stationed in Kuwait, I noticed that there was A LOT of pork, and various pork items served in our DFAC every day. My guess is that the contractors were able to order it or something. The thing is, there ARE pigs in that part of the world, but they’re considered “unclean”, and therefore, not eaten, just used as a garbage disposal…
As for alcohol, having been stationed at Camp Doha, which had a fairly large international contingent; the only beer I ever saw offered at our PX, which was open to everyone, was near-beer. If the Aussies and the Brits got the real stuff, they never shared with us. Yes, people were able to get alcohol… and most of the time they got caught and got themselves in A LOT of trouble, too. Just because one can get something, doesn’t mean one should.
The fact that alcohol and porn weren’t readily available, unfortunately, DID make some of the Soldiers more determined to seek it out, but Soldiers are just like any other human being, we do stupid things sometimes too, just because we can. It’s unfortunate that “Wife” wants to dwell on these things. But I raised my right hand to defend her freedom to fixate and dwell on them.
By Another family member
January 24, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
I don’t think anyone is dwelling on the fact that some do “stupid” things once in awhile, just the fact that alcohol isn’t a forbidden commodity for other nationalities. Just as it wasn’t forbidden for our soldiers in past wars, it isn’t forbidden for other soldiers now. Not all soldiers use the US PXs or go to the eateries, most have their own shops, restaurants, and bars in their own portion of the camps, especially the larger camps like Tallil, Striker/Liberty/Slayer, and probably Doha. Yes, I know of some who have gotten caught sneaking in alcohol, and I also know some vets who think it’s ridiculous that our soldiers aren’t allowed to live their lives as they would at home.
By I may be wrong, but
January 24, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
Just my opinion:
I thought (pardon me) that the reason our military was not allowed pork and alcohol in Iraq is because the US did not want to offend the Iraqis who live by some ‘rules’ set forth in the Old Testament. The one concerning pork - do not eat the flesh of animals with cloven hoofs - they are unclean. As for alcohol - maybe abstinence isn’t all bad - some (not all) humans (from whence come our military) do things they would not normally do when under the influence. Some people will never adhere to rules or obey laws (things made to be broken) and will find a way to have the things they want. If these things are forbidden then they want them more. If they access porn sites on the internet when they are at home they will find a way when they are not at home the same with other addictions.
God bless America, our military (with or without pork, alcohol and porn) and bring them back to this land of freedom to live as the please safely.
Serious thought: God keep our military and the military of other nations who are fighting terrorism safe. Hold them close in Your arms and bring them all home safely.
Thank you to all the military. Again I would like to say - banning pork, alcohol and porn in Iraw may have been done in order to honor the mores and customs of the Iraqi people. When in Itaq do as the Iraqis. Is that so hard to understand?
By Wife
January 24, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
I am very glad to see that Lt. Zellous is improvising and making the best of life no matter where he is. I know that his family misses his homemade dishes.
By Thomas Strider
January 24, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
Regarding food service info in Iraq. In Puerto Rico, ration breakdowns used to provide two types of rations: Continental and Puerto Rican. The Puerto Rican ration not only served more rice but also provided the ability to serve three different plantain servings as well as arroz con pollo (in addition to the “normal” Continental ration). Perhaps its added garlic for pork would not be allowed in Iraq. Nevertheless, the ration could be modified and definitely would provide appropriate variety to the “normal” Continental ration for units that would choose to select that ration.
By think about it
January 25, 2006 01:18 AM | Link to this
Its not the fact of not being able to live their lives as they would at home,but they are there doing a job,DO WE DRINK ON THE JOB ? Do we really want a soldier to drink when their lives are in danger, NOT !!! You know, alcohol does no good for the mind, especially when they need to keep their brains functioning on the important things.
By Big cousin
February 2, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this
To see Lt. Zellous healty and alive doing what he likes made my day,hope he gets good practice because he promised a large cook out when he gets home. I was already proud because of his occupation as a teacher, but even more prouder that he is protecting our country. God bless all our soldries keep them safe and their stomachs full.