Now that I’ve made the trip to the International or “Green Zone” in the center of Baghdad to receive my press credential, I can officially begin my time here as a reporter. Even with only two weeks, I will be making the rounds to each battalion, starting with the 4-14 Cavalry.
On my return from the green zone early Wednesday, a quick flight over Baghdad in a Blackhawk helicopter revealed little about what is really happening below. From the air, the city looks subdued, with high-rise buildings and neighborhoods and four-lane freeways. Dust and heat mingled to blanket the capital in a haze.
One thing noticeably missing was color. Most houses and buildings are made with the same drab, tan hue building material. But the city is oddly punctuated with remnants of that which was never completed; the Red Cross wards erected after the Kuwait war; and Iraq’s tomb of the unknown solider, a massive disc-like structure.
Palaces also dot the city, from the International or Green Zone, (where the Iraqi government functions, in part) across the city to where U.S. troops are based. My breakfast this morning came from a dining facility on a U.S. base, now located in a compound that used to belong to one of Saddam’s wives.
I doubt that during her time here the kitchen served egg burritos, sausage and fruit cocktail.
October 5th, 2006 at 5:59 am
I am so glad your are there to report about our guys. It will seem like we are with them. Thank you for being so brave to want to go there.
October 5th, 2006 at 6:08 am
Good morning Ms. Friedenauer!! AT least it is here in northeast Indiana.
I know that by now you have received a k-zillion messages like this one but if you happen to meet a Cav-14 Medic by the name of Ryan Cook, please tell him we are all thinking about him and are waiting anxiously for his return home!!!! We support him and what he is doing completely!!!!
Also tell him his In-Laws are doing their best to spoil his new 10-month old son as much as possible until he can get back here and take over the task!!!!
While you are there, please report the good that our boys are doing too. I’m getting sick and tired of reading all the negative crap about Iraq!! Nothing personal. I know you are doing your job.
Thank you and stay safe while you are in Iraq!!!
October 5th, 2006 at 8:21 am
When you get to 1/17th Bravo, tell BMW from Anchorage his Dad says its almost snowmachining time.
October 5th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
How are our soldiers doing?
We have heard reports from our soldiers that moral is at an all time low and that their living conditions are terrible?
Can you honestly report on the conditions of our soldiers with out losing your press credentials?
October 5th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
While you are with the 4-14 Cav. If you talk to a brave young Soldier named Allen Blakey please tell him his mom and entire family love and miss him very much and we are so proud of him!! Thank you!
October 5th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
Good to know you are back with “Our Soldiers” from the 172nd. Please report on the 2-1 INF BCO and tell my son Whitney Cole his mom loves him very much and sent you to him. He says there has not been any reporters with them. His family here would like to see and hear how they are doing.
Be safe and give our love and support to them for us!!
October 5th, 2006 at 6:25 pm
IF YOU VISIT 1-17 HHC TELL MY SON CHRIS HIS WHOLE FAMILY IS VERY PROUD OF HIM AND ALL THE REST OF OUR SOLDIERS !
traderc396@yahoo.com
October 5th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
My son is with the 4-23, Joshua Moody please tell him he is our hero, Stay safe and we WILL see him soon.. Thank you from every one in Bend, Oregon !!!!
October 6th, 2006 at 8:48 am
I hope when you visit the BSB this time, you will pay more attention to what they actually do instead of making it seem as though they fetch muffins and stuff for people. Their job is very important and their families are very proud of what they do over there. Lets give them more credit this time.