Wednesday, August 31, 2011

De La Hoya



One of the people I worked with was Oscar De La Hoya, the world champion boxer.

It was an amazing journey with De La Hoya and crew. We got stuck out at a small Forward Operating Base (FOB) Justice which is near the Kadhimiya Shrine in downtown Baghdad. Justice is Joint Base with the Iraqis, so it is relatively safe. Kadihimiya is a site with loads of history, look it up if you are interested. JSS Justice is a FOB with lots of great guys (and less than 5 gals) and one of my favorite places to visit. I miss the Just-Us Crew!

I did not sleep that night, because I was on the phone trying to figure out what time a helicopter could come and pick us up.

The pictures on this post were taken while waiting for the helo the next morning.

While waiting, Oscar turned to me and said something in spanish. He asked if I knew what he said. I said no?! He said "You have a beautiful heart." Exhausted, moved, and knowing my day was just starting huge tears came to my eyes. Oscar gave me a big hug and there was a true understanding of why we both were standing in Baghdad waiting on a helo. It was a moment I will never forget.

“For those with a big heart, even impossible tasks become possible.”
~UNK

Forever Changed

Okay, so it has been forever since I posted on my blog. I know many of you enjoy the updates even when they are sporadic.

I have been home from Iraq for about a month now. I will never be the same for the experiences I had and the friends I made while I was down there. I am so blessed to have been with such wonderful people everyday.

My Iraq Besties, CPT Morgan and SSG Foster
Sherwood, Nemo and the Beav (me) we all have aliases and fake beers

Toe pop, with Fetrow

Many people fixate on the fact my job was to escort entertainers and the other "famous" people I met.

For me the most "famous" people I met hail from small towns and cities throughout the USA, they are soldiers, selfless servants carrying out a mission only few are brave enough to do.

The boys of Loyalty
G1 Family

“Soldiers are dreamers; when the guns begin they think of firelit homes, clean beds, and wives”

~Siegfried Sassoon