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DEL.ICIO.USZap! Bing! Electronic gadgets much in demand
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forward Operating Base St. Michael, Iraq — The “Baby Wipe Phase” of the war in Iraq is over.
U.S. soldiers now have broad access to running water, hot showers and personal hygiene that they lacked during and shortly after the 2003 invasion when they camped in the desert for weeks and months at a time.
They don’t need Gatorade or soft drinks, either. The Army buys that stuff in quantities that would fill Olympic-size swimming pools.
The ongoing conflict has now entered what could be called the “Circuit City Phase.”
Soldiers covet expensive electronic gadgets. Satellite phones, international cell phones, Blackberries, DVD players, PlayStations, GameBoys — those are the things they feel would most improve their lives here.
“When you’re on duty, you’re on duty and you have to be totally focused,” said Sgt. 1st Class Omar Patterson, 39, of Calhoun, attached to the 108th Armor Regiment in Mahmudiyah. “But when you’re off, you need to do something completely different.”
The post exchange here, a military version of a general store, is about to get a pallet-sized load of PlayStation 2s — and soldiers are already lining up to buy them. Two sergeants from the 108th offered to pay for theirs in advance. When the store clerk pointed out he hadn’t told them how much the gadgets would cost, the soldiers said it didn’t matter.
“Price is irrelevant,” said Sgt. Timothy Hass, a Cobb County motorcycle cop. “We’ve just got to get those PlayStations as soon as they come in.”
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By Dorothy Calhoun
June 4, 2005 06:31 PM | Link to this
I, too, rush to get your daily reports and love the pictures. I have made ajc my home page so when I log on it goes straight to it. My second son is now in Iraq so I have stayed pretty close to the TV news since the fall of Baghdad with the 3rd ID. This is much better as it is waiting for me when I get to the computer. Keep up the great job. D. Calhoun
By William McIntrosh
June 4, 2005 11:25 PM | Link to this
I appreciate your articles very much. My son is with the 108th and any information is precious. Thank Heaven he has been able to call occasionally, but the cost is ridiculous. Can’t someone pressure the cellular phone companies to charge nothing, or at least normal fees for phone calls home? I feel they are price gouging the soldiers and their families.
By Colleen
June 5, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s OUR cellular companies. The soldiers are roaming on international towers. I’m very scared to see our cell phone bill when it gets here. But how can you put a price on that contact with my husband? It will be worth every penny!
My friends ask me how I know so much. I refer them to this website. Thanks so much! It’s very comforting!
By P Paradice
June 5, 2005 04:42 PM | Link to this
When my husband was in Iraq as long as he used a ATT phone card and called my cell phone it was the same as a in-state call.