Iraq 2008

Every year WWE has a trip to Iraq (Tribute to the Troops) to entertain the soldiers who are fighting for our country.  This year I was asked if I wanted to join the group and without hesitation I was in.  My main reason for going was a couple of years ago one of my high school friends got shot and died while active in Iraq serving his country.  I wanted to see how he lived and get a small taste of what life is like out there.  It's truely an honor to go to Iraq and entertain the soldiers who risk their lives everyday, who have families at home waiting for them to come home safely, hoping they never get that dreaded phone call.  These people are heroes and I wanted to pump up their morale and thank them for their services.

The trip started in Washington DC at night where we boarded an Air Force Cargo Plane...Yeah, no Continental's or American Airlines here.  We had an 8 hour flight to Germany then another 8 hour flight to Baghdad, Iraq.  Talk about a long trip. 

We arrived in Baghdad and it was still night, with the time change nobody knew what day or time it was.  When we found out, luckily, it was 3am and my group had to get up at 6am to visit 4 US Marine Camps.  Sleeps overrated.

3 hours later we were getting ready to go to Camp Gannon.  My favorite part was how we got to Camp Gannon. Via Ospree aka new age, awesome, helicopter.  It's insane.  We had about 50 lbs of gear including the heaviest bulletproof vest and helmet ever which each soldier has to have on while on duty.  They also get a gun which I didn't get.  BOO!!! 

Gannon was a really small camp with about 200 US Marine soliders.  They didn't have running water.  Yes you heard me correctly.  Imagine living without running water for 6 months to a year.  They go to the bathroom in tubes and if it's a number 2 they use a wagbag which is basically a garbage bag they put under a toilet seat then they take the bag to a field and burn it.  Talking to the Marines I found out that there's nothing to do besides work out, sleep, and work.  Looking around I could understand why....sand as far as the eye could see.  Nothing else.  I can see how morale could be down.  Boredom. 

Next up was Camp Korean Village where they had running water...never thought I'd be so happy to hear that.  We did a meet and greet.  During this meet and greet one of my favorite stories was.  A soldier said he didn't know what to get his son for his 10th birthday which he's missing.  He thought the best gift was to video us wishing him a happy birthday.  So we played with it and he was really happy.  That's what it's all about smiles on people's faces.

Camp Rahwa and Ramadi were pretty much the same thing.  Ramadi had a huge stage where we signed autographs.  The soldiers were going nuts there were hundreds of them.  We had a dance contest with Alicia and an Army Soldier which was hilarious.  We ended up sleeping in Ramadi at around midnight.  So in the first day we went from 6am to 11pm visiting 4 different camps. 

The next morning started at 6am and we ate chow (that's what they call eating) then we were off to the next camps: TQ, Bahrea, and Cupcake (as they called it)  They said it's the best place to be because nothing happens there.  Gotta love that.

On our last day we performed the show and I have to say it was incredible.  I went to the gym 4 hours before the show and saw the line.  I'm talking at least a thousand soldiers waiting that early. 

To perform for the troops and show our support was amazing.  To see the posters saying "I'm okay", "I love you ____", and Happy Birthday____"  was so cool to see.  After the show we went out in the crowd and met and took pictures with everyone. 

All in all this was an eye opening experience.  I only knew what I saw on the news about what was going on in Iraq but seeing it first hand was above and beyond.  What these troops go through, how they put their lives on the line everyday is truly heroic.  The stories I heard made me realize how lucky I am to have these people fighting for my freedom.  One soldier missed the birth of his granddaughter another said he had a 2 and 3 year old daughters and has seen them 5 months of their lives when I asked why do you do it.  They both said the same thing because I want their to be peace so they don't have to go through this.  I was wowed.  To all the Troops thank you for protecting our country and putting your life on the line for my and everyone's freedom.  I hope going out there made the morale better and let you know that what you are doing will never go unnoticed.  I wish you all well and get home soon safely.

The Miz    

 here are two of my personal video blogs from the trip.

Iraq Day 1

Tribute to the Troops- Day 1

Iraq Day 2 & 3

Tribute to the Troops- Days 2   3