Who knew being a vegetarian in a war zone could be this easy? Not that Im exactly in in the thick of battle, yet. Camp Victory, adjacent to the Baghdad Airport, is a sprawling military command center of 15,000 troops. And, despite the occasional helicopter grunting overhead, the conflict feels very far away. Yesterday, I was worried about facing bullets and bombs. Today, Im wondering whether to have a slushie or a cookie for desert.
If you discount the dust and the suffocating heat, Victory could be any one of a hundred American military bases scattered around the world. Except this one is fancier. And there are more of the comforts of home.
The Camps chiefs are installed in smart cubicles on the top floors of Saddams sumptuous summer palace. Some of the soldiers ride around in bicycles, wearing Army-issue shorts and tees. Kevlar and helmets are not required.
Reporters are set up in air-conditioned tents, and can peck away at their laptops through the local wi-fi “Freedom Network.” The mess hall is stocked with tangy kimchi and cook-to-order stir-fry, bean sprouts included. The PX is full of DVDs and X-Box games and Operation Iraw Freedom tchokes. The Starbucks knock-off is open 24/7, right next to the Pizza Hut and the Subway. The pool, for now, is closed.
The Army unit Im supposed to join up with was expecting me tomorrow, not today. The action should come quick after that. So I took advantage of the pause. I napped in my deliciously-cool tent. I played war tourist as I gawked at the palace-turned-HQ. And I shared cigars with a battlefield surgeon from the Green Zone, watching Blackhawks silhouetted by the crescent moon. Not a bad first day at war.
THERES MORE: Yes, I did manage to get my bags back, in time to hitch a ride to Baghdad.
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Hello Troops! I am so proud of each and every one of you. I am looking for a pen pal. Someone who needs a friend. I am hereto talk. Take care and BE SAFE! With lots of love from home Diana
Hello again! Thank you! I forgot to include my email on my posting. I am looking for a pen pal. My Email is boogieslick@yahoo.com If you need a friend I am here.Be SAFE!!!!
Diana
I’m looking for a pen-pal. message for address
Please forgive my mutiple posts from earlier my browser was acting up very badly. Thanks.
hey i am 11 years old and i am intersted in being a AH-64 apache helicopter pilot. I know i am a long way away from that though. I have been trying to get a soldier pen pal. I have not had much luck though. If you want to talk to i will talk to you. You can e-mail me at thekenster12@yahoo.com
I was just wondering if there was any way to find a solider pen pal, they do so much for us and i want to do something for them too. I will do either email or snail mail, whichever is easiest…let me know…
probably should have put my email addy too, sorry its late..lol krsprincess8@yahoo.com
hey, i am black male 30years just willing to meet any female for fun and serious relationship and i am funny and friendly and if you dont mind just having some snail mail to chat me at abeynice@gmail.com or abiodun.niceguy@yahoo.com
cheers
abey
hey, i am nacy,30yrs old new jersey seeking for any male out there my email is j.nacy@yahoo.com
kiss
hello every one , i am diana from uk, i need your help for my operation at the hospital and i will like anybody to please help me out with any amount by sending me money for my operation and i will be glad and please the operation in near and i dont mind receiving emails of your helps and my email is jm.diana.s@gmail.com.thanks
Diana
Hi my name is Sheria and i am looking for a pen-pal preferabably between the ages of 19–28 LOL! i am s/f/19 I live in San Diego, email me for more about me and to get to know each other, tc
)
sheria_comfort@yahoo.com
I am looking to write a soldier who needs a friend email or U.S mail is fine. oneikajohn@hotmail.com
Hello to the American military! I’m a Southern grandma who is very willing to be there to help, but would probably be much more of a hindrance than help. Please know that most Americans, while silent most of the time, care about you.
I live a pretty ordinary life with little excitement, but considering what you live with it’s pretty great. Would anyone like a pen pal to relate the very ordinary things of a Southern life? I have time to write, e– or snail mail, and would love to have an individual to care about. E-mail me if you like. kckirby@ctc.net
I am looking for a pen pal to write to or email..
Contact me at kksassz70@comcast.net if you are interested…
Karen
by the way.… it is bognerm@yahoo.com if you have trouble locating it.…..
LOOKING FOR PEN PAL
Hi my name is Melissa and my brother in law was stationed in afghanistan for awhile so I know how lonely it can be over there…I am 20 year old college student and I would love to write a soldier, male or female, or email is fine too
peechez467@yahoo.com
HELLO TO ALL THE MILTARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAS FOUGHT FOR OUR CONTRY I DONT KNOW YOU BUT I LOVE YOU AND MUCH MORE THEN MYSELF GOD LOVES YOU ALL MORE .AND I CANT EVER THANK YOU ENOUGH .I AM A MILTARY WIDOW AND IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO WANT A PEN PAL I WILL BE THATEMAIL ME AT debrat755@yahoo.com take care and god bless you all
HELLO TO ALL THE MILTARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAS FOUGHT FOR OUR CONTRY I DONT KNOW YOU BUT I LOVE YOU AND MUCH MORE THEN MYSELF GOD LOVES YOU ALL MORE .AND I CANT EVER THANK YOU ENOUGH .I AM A MILTARY WIDOW AND IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO WANT A PEN PAL I WILL BE THATEMAIL ME AT debrat755@yahoo.com take care and god bless you all
When is congress going to pass the no cheating on husband/wives act in the military and start docking benefits of the ones that commit this? I got back from Iraq in sept to find out my ex had spent 70,000 not too mention she had drained the kids college funds. I get back to get booted out of my house and trying to find a place to stay (which through the good graces of my command) was able to stay in the barracks until I could find a roommate. This happens way too much and the cheaters stateside get a free pass while we have to hold up to the crappy end of the bargain. Congress needs to do something about this. The wars are not going away anytime soon, and this is going to keep happening.
Just wanted to say hi to everyone. I thank you all for serving our country and making it a safer place for us to live. I am on here to support everyone and to see if anyone would like a PEN-PAL at all. My ex was in the army and i wront him everyday. I love writing and would like to get back to it. If your interested email me and let me know or if you know of anyone who would like a pen pal. Justinert21@gmail.com have a great day.…. Justine
Hi,
I want female military girl to marry or to make friend ship. Please send serious people only. Iam Uday Kumar from INDIA. Iam 26 male.
My email id is udaays6@gmail.com