AJC > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2005 > August > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDinner and a ‘No’ show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In an effort to provide our readers with more insight into the daily lives of soldiers of the 48th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, we have asked several soldiers to provide occasional blogs for us. Spc. Lauren Schreck, 21, of Brunswick, has been doing her own blog from Forward Operating Base Michael in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, since July. A student at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta in civilian life, Schreck is an Army fuel specialist. But she is currently overseeing the telephone and Internet center at the base. This is her first blog for ajc.com.
FOB Michael, Iraq — The signs were posted days ago announcing a comedy show here. The show was supposed to start at 1800 (6 p.m. civilian time) in the maintenance bay following a cookout. It was to feature four comics from comicsonduty.com - Dave Mishevitz, Sarah Tiana, Danny Bevins and John Bizzare. I was very excited. I thought there was no way that our tiny FOB would ever get to host one of those MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) shows that we always hear about. It was always the larger camps like Taji, Liberty and Striker that all the celebrities went to. But it was our turn this time, and I couldn’t wait for the show to begin.
The festivities kicked off around 1700 (5 p.m.) with a good, old-fashioned cookout. Having a cookout is how we celebrate everything in the South. There were steaks, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans and lots and lots of cold beer (near beer, that is). Our cooks were grilling steaks on make-shift grills made out of wire and metal barrels sawed in half. They sure did the job, though. The chow line got pretty long for a while as people waited for the HHC (Headquarters and Headquarters Company) 1st SGT to serve the beans. It was a nice change of pace to have chow somewhere besides the mess hall. Everyone took their tray and just found a nice piece of curb or Humvee bumper to sit down on and eat. I walked over to the HHC building where they have plastic tables underneath a camouflage shade to eat with a few old friends.
After I finished dinner, I walked back over to the maintenance bay to discover that they were serving Baskin-Robbins ice cream!! The only ice cream that we have ever gotten is the Iraqi ice cream cups that have melted and been refrozen several times over. Needless to say, there was a constant line for the ice cream until they were left with one lonely tub of mint chocolate chip. I took my chocolate ice cream cone and went to sit in front of the tiny wooden stage to wait for the show. At around 1810, I started to wonder where the performers were and if the show was going to be late. One of the soldiers next to me informed that the show was not going on. The comedians’ flight had been cancelled. I should’ve known that would happen. Flights into FOB Michael are grounded every other day or so because of low visibility. The only choppers that fly those days are the medevacs and other priority flights. So, we made the best of it and put on a Chris Rock video. It was the same video I had seen a dozen times, but Chris Rock is funny no matter how many times you’ve heard the joke.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Lauren Schreck
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By Elizabeth
August 16, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this
Lauren, THANKS! My boyfriend is in the 108th also. He is not at Micheal, but its great to hear stories and the lives of other soliders. However my best friend is there, PV2. Chris Goshorn. He and my boyfriend are best friends and got seperated. Spc. Chris Gerhard, my boyfriend, is further south from what I understand. Thanks for everything!
By Debora Everett-Walston
August 16, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this
Spc Lauren Schreck…GREAT JOB ON THE BLOG!
By Debora Everett-Walston
August 16, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this
Spc Schreck, Thank you for the insight into the Michael FOB. Thank you for the tremendous job you and your fellow commrades are doing for our country. My prayers are with everyone of you daily. Spc Walston is my husband, serving @ Michael along side you, because of your delightful blog you have made families at home see a glimmer of light….always remember, there is a little angel always sitting just on your shoulder…God Bless you one and all.
By michelle
August 16, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this
lauren: thank you for your contribution to the site with your blog, and thank you for your service in iraq.
i would much rather read a blog from a soldier than a “blog” from a reporter. this is much more personable and is comforting.
bless you and keep safe. thank you again.
By sgt. cooper
August 16, 2005 11:55 AM | Link to this
i do not share the love of fob st. michaels with spc. schrek. although it has improved, it is not fit for any american. I can not wait to get home to my family for good. I wish that our stay in Iraq can be extremely shortened so I can return to new baby girl as soon as possible. It is not fun fighting an enemy who has no rules, but you are smothered in them…
By jeannie
August 16, 2005 01:05 PM | Link to this
I have been reading your site for a while now and I am so glad that AJC has now added you to their site.. I am a supporter for the HHC-108th-Scout unite But I also support ALL the Men and Women that are in Iraq fighting for us..
My boyfriend has been home from Iraq, for almost three months now, after being there for a year and a half and we are soon going to have a USA wedding. This may be weird to say—but while he was in Iraq,it really gave us a chance to grow together. He has shared so much with us, about what all he and his men went through. Every day I worry about our other friends and love ones that are still there..Your site/ Blog has helped in so many ways and I was so glad to see some pictures posted… PLease Keep up the Great Work.. My daughter loves the HHC-108th Scouts and will always Remember what they gave to her life.. They are her hero and I have promised her that we will do all that we can for them now and when they come home… Spc. Matt Hayes- I hope you got our e-mails and if you see this-please e-mail me.. Steph says Hi and that she misses you.. Spc. Michael Astuto- we miss you and hope that you are doing well. Olivia Faith sent you pictures not too long ago and she holds your picture daily with some of the other Scouts.. Spc. Chad Carter- Olivia Faith misses her daddy-the one that she found in you and that you gave to her..Family-well we may not be that as a Carter or even with the military bond- but we do care as we always cared and we hope you will stay safe and always remember the good times and not let people push other things onto you..I am gave you were able to spend time with your family on your leave and I know it was so hard to leave on the 9th to go back to Iraq.. Kyrsten as well as Olivia Faith will always have you as a Hero, for what you have given to them..
By Bryan Shue SR
August 16, 2005 06:47 PM | Link to this
My son is at MichaelFOB and we Pray for ALL of our people over there and support you all as well. I am glad to get another point of view from your location, as he spends more time on a Humvee than in the camp. If you happen to see Bryan JR. say HI.
Thank you for the chance to see inside a day at MichaelFOB. Please stay safe.
By DEE MCDANIEL
August 16, 2005 10:39 PM | Link to this
LAUREN, THANKS FOR YOUR STORY. I AM GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU GUYS HAD SOME GOOD FOOD TO EAT. YOU ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS EACH DAY. MY HUSBAND IS AT CAMP MICHAEL. HE IS SFC MARK R MCDANIEL YOU WILL FIND HIM WORKING ON A HUMVEE I AM SURE. IF YOU SEE HIM GIVE HIM A HUG FOR ME AND TELL HIM I LOVE HIM. AND FOR YOU ALL TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
By Lisa
August 17, 2005 01:49 AM | Link to this
I,m glad someone has time to relax! My husband is in Charlie co. and he rarely gets to go back to FOB Michael because his platoon is very short on people, vehicle, sleep, phone calls home. You name it the 108th has really got the very short end of the stick, and I for one can’t wait to see better days for the GA National Gaurd unit dubed as the “GARMY” not active ARMY, not NATIONAL GAURD, they get treated somewhere in the middle, like crap!!! The rules that apply to them (being the 108th, 48th) do not apply to other bases or other units. They are killing our soldiers morale. A Concerned Wife
By Penny Stearns (NaNu)
August 17, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this
I have a grandson Sgt.Charles Crowde in the 48th 121st he had a real good friend in 108th that was killed on Monday 8/15/05 he steped on a land mine. I am glad you are doing this article so we can hear from all of you guys and girls over there. My family and friends are really proud of what you all of you soldiers are doing for our country. If it was’nt for all of the soldiers no matter what branch I do believe that they(the terrorist)would still be fighting us over here. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU’LL.
Penny Stearns
By Jamie Dominick
August 17, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this
Lauren - I’m so glad y’all got to have some good food and a little relaxation. I am from Stockbridge, GA. My cousin is over there with you - Spc. Thomas H. Floyd. If you run across him please give him a hug from his cousin Jamie and tell him we pray for him everyday. We pray for all of you everyday.
By childers
August 17, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this
WHATS UP ROWE,
By Melissa Floyd
August 17, 2005 03:56 PM | Link to this
Hi Lauren, Glad to see you are doing well. My family also lost a loved one in the 48th, Thomas Strickland was his name. He was/is indeed one of the most sweetest men you could come across. We are so sadened by his death and are now awaiting his body to reach the U.S. I also have a really good family friend in the 48th as well, his name is Billy Harp. May god watch over all of you and see that you guys/gals are taken care of. We will miss Thomas dearly but know that he is in a better place and is an ANGEL among us.
Melissa Floyd
By Brenda
August 17, 2005 11:49 PM | Link to this
God does answer prayers!!!As the mother of a soldier at FOB Michael{SGT Michael Ramey} I am thankful that we are getting a first hand account of what these troops are going through.The reporters just can’t do as good a job as you do.You all are in our prayers.If you see Sgt Ramey tell we all miss him.He is a tank mechanic,and a darn good one. god bless
By mike Greeson
August 19, 2005 08:07 AM | Link to this
Spc Lauren Schreck…GREAT JOB ON THE BLOG!
Got a son in E troop Where is E Troop 108th Cav in relation to FOB Michael?
By Lauren Schreck
August 19, 2005 07:33 PM | Link to this
hey guys! thanks for all the comments. i’d like to answer some of your questions, but i probably shouldn’t do it on the web like this. click on my name and send me an email. if i’m able to answer the question, then i’ll try to send you a line as soon as i can. THANKS SO MUCH!