Day 5
Hi Broncos Country, reporting back to you from Tikrit, Iraq. Well, we were supposed to be on a C-130 to Baghdad, but due to a sandstorm we were grounded in Speicher for another day. We had no problem finding something to fill our time. Our military tour guide, Carmen, set up a Special Forces tour for us where we were able to explore the MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) and even hang out on the gun range. We were all brave enough to shoot M-9 pistols and a few of us even shot automatic M-4s. After taking several pictures and signing autographs with the Special Forces Unit we made a surprise visit to the soldiers at the car wash and by car wash we mean tank wash! They were so excited to see us.
We were really lucky to be staying at “Freedom Rest” which is where soldiers go to stay for R&R. We joined them for a pizza party that evening. Afterwards, we had time to watch movies, catch up on emails and phone calls back home, swim at the pool, and even play a little ping-pong.
Day 6
The sandstorm cleared up and we made our way to Baghdad on another C-130 plane. We were all in shock to be in Baghdad…a place you only hear of and see in movies. We even had our own anthem “Broncos over Baghdad”. We instantly fell in love with our MWR guide, Julia, who was continuously briefing us on the history of Baghdad and Saddam Hussein. We were staying at the Victory Base Compound, which is where Saddam himself entertained thousands of people during his time in power. He also used the land as a hunting reserve, where he brought in his own animals from around the world to hunt. The property on the base is filled with extravagant buildings and man-made lakes. Saddam believed anything that happened on a body of water was not seen by the god, Allah. We went on a tour of The Al Faw Palace, which is the headquarters for the US military in Iraq. The commanding 4-Star Army General resides here.
Next, it was Blackhawk time! It was our first Blackhawk ride and the first time in a helicopter for most of us. It was an unbelievable experience! We were able to look out over all of Baghdad and even saw some wild camels running in the desert. We flew to FOB Hammer (a Forward Operating Base); it was the smallest base we had visited thus far. There were 150 soldiers on base and 900 civilians. As we drove to the recreation center for our performance we came to an immediate stop as soon as we saw the “Denver Broncos Road” street sign! It was the perfect photo opportunity. Although the center at Hammer was our smallest facility, the crowd was our best yet! We were told that Hammer had never seen so many people attend a show in 7 years. Some highlights from the show included a serenaded performance by 2 soldiers singing Usher and a push-up routine performed by Allyson on a pool table due to the lack of space on the stage. We took a night time Blackhawk ride back to Victory Base and enjoyed seeing all of Baghdad at night…it was absolutely beautiful!
Day 7
We were taken on a tour of Camp Slayer at Victory Base. We were told that we would probably be the last American group that was going to ever tour Camp Slayer.
A few fun facts we learned on our tour:
We learned so much history and were so appreciative to have our tour guide, Julia, who was a plethora of information!
After our tour it was time to leave Baghdad. We left Baghdad on another C-130 plane to go to COB (Contingency Operating Base) Delta. We were only on base for a couple minutes before jumping on another Blackhawk to go to FOB Eastern Barracks. Eastern Barracks is a JSS (Joint Security Station) which means that it was both an American and Iraqi military base. There were only 80 soldiers on base and they were thrilled to see us! We were scheduled to go to another FOB, but due to ANOTHER sandstorm we were stranded at the Eastern Barracks DFAC (cafeteria). We were really disappointed that we did not get to meet the soldiers at FOB Gary Owen and Kalzoo. Although we were stranded at Eastern Barracks, we couldn’t have been in better company. Since the base was so small we were fortunate to meet almost every soldier on base and a special few hilarious ones who entertained us with their comedy. They didn’t seem to mind that we were stranded at their base!
The sandstorm finally cleared up and we were able to take off on the Blackhawks back to COB Delta. Mid-flight the sandstorm picked back up and we had to make an emergency landing in Talil, Iraq at Camp Adder. We were a little disappointed because we were scheduled to have a show back at COB Delta. We found out that there were 800 soldiers waiting for us to show up and perform.
Since we were stranded without any personal amenities we made a quick stop to the PX on base in order to purchase toothbrushes, face wash, and our Men’s Hanes shirts. Our military guide was impressed with what troopers we were!
Day 8
We were up bright and early in order to catch our plane back to Delta, but once again, the weather was not cooperating. This trip has certainly taught us to “go with the flow” and we have tried to make the most of every situation. We slept in the airport for a few hours hoping to catch a plane, but since the weather wasn’t improving we took our time to eat lunch with the troops. The day continued to get even more interesting as our entertainment tour guide accidentally lost her passport after throwing it in one of the trash bins at lunch.
After hours of stressing over the lost passport and sitting in the airport at Adder base we were finally able to fly and we made it back to COB Delta. When we landed in Delta we were notified that the passport was found by an incredible group of soldiers that dug through the dumpsters to find it. Our servicemen truly will do anything for us!
Tonight was our final show and we had time to get ready and head off to the stage. We were all very emotional that it was our last show and we were determined to make it the best! The stage was absolutely perfect; it was outdoors, bleacher seating, and palm trees surrounding the back drop. There was even a fire truck parked near the stage so the fire fighters could enjoy the show as well. We were all having bittersweet emotions prior to the show knowing that it was our last show of the trip and we may never have the opportunity to come back to Iraq again. As always before any performance, we had our group prayer and we each said our memory of the trip and what we were grateful for. With heartfelt tears of joy and energy running high we took the stage for our final show.
Not only was there a diehard bronco fan in attendance with a broncos tattoo but the soldiers even started the wave in the bleachers…we felt right at home! By the end of the show we had the soldiers on their feet singing and clapping along to songs like, “Shook Me All Night Long” and “Magic Carpet Ride”. At the end of the show we were presented with certificates of appreciation from one of the Commanding Officers and once again WE were the ones that felt appreciative to all of our service men and women.
Day 9
Our last official breakfast with the troops and we all made the most of it. It has become one of our favorite parts of the tour, having the privilege to eat with the soldiers and hearing their stories. After breakfast we went on a tour of the Medevac (Medical Evacuation) unit. The Medevac is the team who attends to POIs (Point of Injury). Their crew welcomed us with open arms and let us tour and sit in the newest Blackhawks the military has issued to the Medevac teams.
We had time to kill before our flight so we drove around base and even did a little souvenir shopping. After killing some time we packed our bags for what we planned to be a 45 minute flight back to Kuwait. Instead of the short trip to Kuwait we took a detour up to the northeastern corner of Iraq, near the border of Turkey. Here we picked up several congressmen from California, Texas, and St. Louis. They were in Iraq for a conference with other Americans and the Prime Minister of Iraq. From there we took the 2 hour flight headed back down south down to Kuwait.
We were excited to be back in Kuwait and see our “family” (security staff) that we had grown to love when we first arrived in Kuwait at the beginning of our tour. We were also welcomed by the Chief from Adder who personally flew to Kuwait to hand deliver the found passport to our entertainment tour guide. We all couldn’t believe it!
We had a full day in Kuwait to regroup, reflect, and repack our bags before heading back home to the states. Again, we had such a bittersweet feeling knowing that we were going home, but feeling like we still wanted to stay to support our troops. After hearing comments on the tour like, “Thank you for bringing a little piece of home out to us”, “You girls are a reminder of why we are out here fighting”, “This was the best part of my deployment”, “I’m now a Broncos Fan!”, makes us want to stay longer to reach out to more soldiers. We were blessed to meet so many service men and women including many soldiers from Colorado that we cannot wait to reunite with and acknowledge at our Broncos game for the Military Salute.
The trip came and went so fast and we know the experiences we had and memories we made will be cherished forever. We all have a new sense of American pride! As we continue to pray for our troops, let us all be grateful and remember the sacrifices they are making for us to live in the land of freedom – Broncos Country!
Sincerely from the Middle East,
Allyson, Heather, Jessica, Kelly, Kim, Lindy
Tags: Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, Iraq
Great job ladies! I’m sure our boys really appreciated the company of such lovely ladies.
I just watched Nate Irving’s highlight film and I gotta say he kinda reminds me of Al Wilson. I was skeptical at first because I hadn’t really heard the talking heads on tv talk about him, but he is a beast. With him, Miller and DJ, we should be able to get back to that Orange Crush in no time. Kinda scary for teams to prepare for Von Miller AND Elvis Dumervil rushing the passer. Now we just gotta shore up that d-line! We can do this this year BABY!
Al Wilson?? those are some HUGE shoes to fill,if he is even close to that I will be stoked!
Pardon my immaturity- But there is nothing hotter than cute women holding big guns! Love it
On a serious note, this was a great two part piece to read. You all should commended on the selfless acts and doing so in a war zone. I’d like to know how this trip came to be. Sounds like an amazing experience and no doubt the soldiers appreciated every mInute of it. (great job in converting a few new Broncoholics!!!)
Totally agree with Al Wilsons shoes BFE…
Yeah hot women with big guns,I agree with sndvl!!!smokin!!!!!
sorry couldn’t pass it up,lol.
It looks like the Cheerleaders will be the only fit Broncos come the start of the football season, so Ladies get ready to play.
LMAO at all of the above!!!!
You guys wanna see some guns, here you go:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_18267735
Mays definitely has the mindset to make it difficult for Irving to earn a starting spot, specially with no off season so far I would have Mays ahead of Irving.
Shefter reports League sent memo to teams last night, advising them to be prepared to stay overnight during next Tuesday’s NFL meetings in Chicago.
Very good article on Mays and great to read he’s preparing himself to compete fo the starting job at MLB. Everyone here remembers his physical presence when he played last year.
Mays looks likes he’s got a couple of M-240′s for guns… lol.
Great I hope those guys battle it out for the starting spot,Mays the best guy win,lol.
dude’s got some cannons!
Glad to see the two sides meeting for the third week. Maybe there is hope yet for a reasonably quick agreement and a football season.
sounds like they might, maybe have a deal hammered out by some time in mid july. God I hope. Atleast the two sides are continueing to talking which is a positive thing.
Joe Mays , that guy looks like he wants to prove a point. He made some vicious hits last year, if he can eliminate the mistakes he could be one heck of a force to deal with at the middle linebacker spot. Maybe they use Mays for stopping the run and put Irving in to rush the passer.
Still wont change my mind about forking over my money….we will see how i feel in two weeks!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82050114/article/optimism-over-new-deal-emerging-from-latest-round-of-talks?module=HP_headlines
Anyone watching NFL Network right now? 1987 Browns vs Broncos in the AFC Championship! Takes me back! Too bad we got smoked by the Skins in the SB.
That was the Mile High that we miss soooo very much! If we could turn Invesco to 80% of the venue that Mile High was we would be lucky. Starting Timmy T would be a good shot out of the gate. Oh yes- a good D and WINNING would help! LOL!
cam, I was at that game with my then 9 year old son at the goal line like 10th row up opposite corner of the “fumble”. The greatest game ever played at Mile High as far as I’m concerned along witth the 77 AFC title game win against the Raiders, but I wasn’t at that one…. And I don’t need to watch it on the NFLN since I videotaped it on my VHS. At one point the network makes a blow up shot of a king size sheet sign hanging in the South stands saying “Elway do it your Way, We love you, Dillon, Colorado”, that was my sign I hanged up there and left it there too. My contribution to the Mile High days, haha.
My all time favorite Bronco player has finally showed up, haha:
Brady Quinn showed up this week to attend Camp Landow, otherwise know as the Bronco players organized workouts at the sports bubble.
Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow had previously participated in the team workouts. Quinn had been spending his offseason training in Florida, where he has an offseason home, but said Tuesday it was time to become re-acclimated to the altitude.
He threw to Brandon Lloyd, Matt Willis and Lance Ball , among others Tuesday. Quinn then stayed after and participated in the team’s one-hour, football-oriented workout that was supervised by trainer Loren Landow.
Quinn was one of the NFL’s more famous workout warriors when he entered the league out of Notre Dame as a first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2007, but was No. 3 on the depth chart last year behind the veteran Orton and rookie Tebow.
Quinn has not been working out with the idea of accepting status quo for the 2011 season.
“I want to be No. 1,” Quinn said. “I feel they (Orton and Tebow) both had a chance last year and I didn’t get an opportunity. I’d love to get an opportunity to help us win games and get this team to the playoffs and see what happens from there.”
Hahahahahaha once again, hahahahaha.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,that’s funny right there now,I don’t care who you are.
Agree with you Bay,the Cleveland game is my all time favorite at Mile High,I wasn’t there,but I’ve seen it like 15 times,it’s unbelievable!!!
Yeah, it was crazy allright, “the drive” on the road during the 1986 season AFC championship, then the fumble the following year, AFC championship too, and we win both, both against Cleveland, both to go to the SB and keep the dogs out. Other than winning SBs it has never gotten better than that amazing two years!!!!
I wasn’t old enough to appreciate the late 80′s. Bay, I’m surprised you filmed it on VHS. I bet the camera alone blocked two rows of people behind you. Did it sit on your shoulder?
hahaha at BQ. hahahahaha at BFE’s hahahaha and hahahahaha at 3G. That is some funny stuff!
hahahahahahahaaha, I really needed a good laugh!
3rdG, I recorded it on my VHS at home funny guy, I guess the G in your handle doesn’t stand for genius, haha.
This is a Q & A from Woody’s mailbag:
What’s up with the Broncos’ unofficial practices? I haven’t seen anything since the first couple of notices. Are they still going on?
They’ve died off, come and gone. Some of the offensive linemen continue to work as a group on lifting and exercising, but the rest have gone off on vacations to Europe and other locales. I’ve been told this week by someone who is closely involved with the players that they sort of like not having to work out all the time in the summer, and they’re hopeful in the new CBA that there are cutbacks in all the minicamps and OTAs.
They’ll probably be thrown a bone there because most of the players get $100 a day for showing up at OTAs, and the rest get big-time bonuses, as much as $100,000 or more for the offseason workouts. I think most of them would rather have the time off than the money, though. Most of the players in the league did a drive-by workout to get some attention, and then went back to the pool. The Broncos should have continued them, though, and gotten more players involved, at least for a week-long, everyday camp to go over the playbooks with each other and the rookies.
Yeah none of us are stupid enough to think that the vet players like the off season and we all should be smart enough to know that they are dragging this standstill with the league as long as they can until game times come up where they would start losing real moneys.
Unfortunately it’s all about earning the most for the smallest amount of work and we as Bronco fans are going to pay for that mentality dearly this season because our team is one of the few teams with new coaches and a basement record that really would benefit from a long off season full of extra work.
Lazy rich bums.
Take Bailey for example, love the guy but his name hasn’t been heard one single time this entire off season as far as any kind of workout, that right there sizes it all up, the guy who hit the latest jackpot contract wise on the team, the uncontested best player on our D, someone all other players look up to, and look at his attitude, inexistant is the most polite way to say it, the guy has always said he hates the off season and he was not lying, AWOL!
Let’s just hope AWOL is not what our season will look like, not very optimistic here about that as you may know. We are in a heap of doodoo even before anything starts is my take about the team so far. They are going to have to prove me wrong is what it will take.
LMAO at all of ya! Lights, camera, aaaaand ACTION!! HaHa!! You all make me laygh. 3rdgen, way to funny dude, classic.
oooops, laugh.
I did watch the first half yesterday evening on NFL network, then it was time for dinner..lol.
Gene Lang broke off a few nice runs in that game.
Good to see old footage and reminisce.
I’ll look for your sign next time bay, as I’m sure they’ll replay the NFL’s greatest games again.
Dillon Colorado… some good fishing & boating up there.
lmao, too funny guys from BQ, to the way people laughed at BQ to 3rdGens joke about the VHS. Good laughs. Needed that. TRB out…
rbf1, I doubt you’ll find it on the NFLN version since they shorten it to run it in a certain time slot and cut off everything outside of just football plays, my videotape is of the original NBC broadcast with the commercials and all.
A little more background story on that Elway banner:
The reason I bothered to write Dillon, Colorado on it is because it was intended for the SB the year before in Pasadena, California, only to find out they didn’t allow banners of any kind at the stadium. However that week prior to the SB in LA I was able to hang it at one of the biggest Bronco party in LA where the leprauchan, the barrell man, the cheerleaders, the Mayor of Denver, Colorado Governor, etc were all there and there was big stage with all kinds of crazy Bronco celebrations going on, still got nice pics of that in my Bronco album.
Even so I couldn’t get it in the Pasadena stadium I kept the banner as a souvenir and lo and behold, the following season we’re right back in the AFC Championship, and this time in Denver, so I got me some tickets and took the banner to the game for good luck. Even so I had seats on the sidelines, the security crew allowed me in the South stands area prior to the game so I could hang it, and I did on that huge old wall towards the Southwest corner of the end zone.
Of course after the game I was so excited about going home and watch the videotape I had recorded to see if it could be seen, and to my amazement after a huge play of Elway they zoomed in on it full screen! And the rest as they say is my Bronco history…
I know most you guys like these old time stories so here you go!
BTW, I lived in Dillon for the entire eighties.
And also one more thing has been on my mind today talking about the fumble game.
It’s plays like that fumble that build up the Mile High Stadium Mystic to what it was in its heydays and until its demise.
It’s our current home record at INVESCO field at Mile High that now rightfully makes it the Mile High Mistake.
Two completely different eras in different stadiums, glad I lived there through the good one, just saying.
Progress in this instance was like going back to the dark ages when they built this new Invesco Stadium. You don’t even have to go there to feel it, you can feel it right through your TV screen, just listen to the commentators on that fumble game and hear what they have to say about the noise of Mile High…. Kosar even asked the refs for time outs because it was too loud to run plays…. Oh well, enough nostalgia…
The very latest about the NFL talks, not as rosy as had been reported lately:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6663832
Ok thanks bay, didn’t think of that but good point.
Sure is beautiful in Dillon bay!
Not too bad of a drive either up the canyon.
Thanks for sharing bay… great story!
Yeah, beautiful road up to the Einsenhower tunnel, and when I used to drive home after Bronco games I remember stretching my ears at the radio fading in and out to keep listening to the KOA post game show, only to lose it completely around Georgetown. Never could get enough of the Broncos….
Dillon is beautiful indeed and loved the 11 years I spent there, but at my age now I look back at living there yearround at over 9,000 ft altitude and I know I could no longer do that. I was in great shape then, I’m just good enough now to be able to handle near sea level altitude and warmth most of the year with no snow whatsoever, sad but the reality of this thing called life. Enjoy your bodies while you can!
Enjoyed the story Bay. What awesome memories. Cool stuff.
You guys are welcome, this is the best place to share Bronco memories because you know 90% of the bloggers care.
Bay I wished I had stories like that about the Broncos,but alas I live too far away,but never get tired of reading the stories of other Broncos fans,thanks for sharing them with us,and anytime you want to post more,I always enjoy reading them bro!
BFE, whas up bro?! Rock On Brother! METAL HEART!!
Hey strand whats up bro?KEEP ON ROCKIN’!!!
It may be bcause I wasn’t old enough to appreciate the old Mile High, but I must say that I really like Invesco. I’ve been to a fair amount of stadiums across the country, and its my favorite (then again, I may be partial). I went to quite a few games at the Old Mile High, but it was when I was like 7 to about 16 (I can’t remember the year Invesco opened). What we’ve lacked is good teams and leaders for a good home record. I blame the teams over the venue. I will always appreciate what Shanahan did for our franchise, but he wasn’t one to develop a culture through developing players (imo). As much as I dislike the Steelers I admire what they’ve been able to do over the years. They just seem have it figured out (I actually HATE giving props to any other team, so that’s the first and last time I’ll likely ever do that).
Hey all its been a while. So will they still do the HOF interductions if no labor agreement is in place? If there is a season i have tickets to the Broncos Vikes game in december.
This weeks sign that the apocolypse is near…
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8205634f/article/san-diego-court-case-tests-legality-of-nfls-fan-conduct-code?module=HP_headlines
I would have loved to see the Broncos Cheerleaders during my time in Kirkuk Iraq. We had Vince Vaughn show up promoting Dodgeball. He wasn’t funny and he complained that we had all seen the movie via “hodgiecopy” and was actually annoying.
I am very pleased to see that not everyone has forgotten about our troops still in Iraq.
Glad to see these young american players attempting to bring some fun into their stiff upper lip sport, this outta go good with your cup of java this morning:
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/The-Golf-Boys-give-us-the-finest-jock-video-in-t?urn=golf-wp2639
This is a dawg pond fan’s answer to sndvl link above:
this is all bullcrap! Quit ruining the gameday experience! if you wanna be with your family in peace SIT IN THE FAMILY ZONE!!!!! Leave the rabid fans alone that are just having fun and taunting the opposing fans. I’m sorry but if you go to Oakland or Cleveland and sit in the Black Hole or the Dawg Pound and your not wearing that teams colors you deserve to be harassed! If we wanna all be sissys and be polite and not go insane then we would all just sit at home and watch it. I know many fans who refuses to buy season tickets because of this rule enforcement crap. Make family sections and rabid fan sections.
I would agree with that, different sections for different folks makes only too much sense, like the South Stands used to be the bomb. Now it’s wine sipping politically correct corporate folks invading every nook and cranny of NFL stadiums all over the land because seats are so expensive no matter where you sit only corporate moneys can afford to go anymore, that’s why Invesco is nowhere near as hard a place for the opposition as the old Mile High to play in.
We used to have blue collar fans in our stadium, real fans, loud, obnoxious to the opposition, occasionally drunk and verbally abusive, man that was fun!
And I did just figure out what the G stands for in 3rdG’s handle, Gap, as in Generation Gap, haha.
Seems like Von Miller already has a pretty good feel for what’s coming up, even though he is just a draftee:
As the league’s lockout drags on, the Broncos’ first-round draft pick has spent much of his time in College Station, Texas, working out with former Texas A&M teammates and getting a crash course on the 4-3 defense from Nguyen, a former A&M star who played seven years with the Dallas Cowboys before injuries sent him into coaching.
“He played in the 4-3, did it in the NFL. He knows what to expect, so I’ve been working with him,” Miller said of Nguyen, the Aggies’ inside linebackers coach. “I want to have all of the terminology down, know my responsibilities, so when we get the word I’m ready to come in, line up and play.
“That’s my expectation, to be ready to do what I’m supposed to do in the Broncos’ defense.”
“I know what’s waiting for me when I get there,” Miller said. “That’s what’s got me going these days. I know they expect a lot of me just as soon as things get going, and my expectation is to be that guy. To be the guy that comes in ready to go. That’s how I’ve been approaching it.”
“What’s in the (Denver) playbook looks familiar to me,” Miller said. “On the outside, with contain responsibilities, over the tight end at times and getting to the quarterback when they need me to.”
“I’m hoping to get back there to work out with (Broncos safety) Brian Dawkins and some of those other guys, at least for a couple days,” Miller said. “I don’t know when yet, but I want to get in there and spend a couple days with everybody.”
Miller has stepped up his conditioning in recent weeks.
“They’re not take-it-easy workouts,” he said. “We’re going hard, we’re really grinding. Because when it’s time to perform, it’s time to perform. I want that and I know the Broncos want it too.”
That was courtesy of Legwold.
I’ll take everything at his word for now and hope we got ourselves the beast LB he has been advertised, one thing seems certain he has a solid head on his shoulders, huge plus to start his Bronco journey.
From his comments he obviously would’ve liked to attend Dawkins’ workouts. Maybe Dawkins didn’t have the rookies contact info? Seems like he could’ve at least reached out to them somehow. Anyway, for some reason I see a lot of Tim Tebow’s traits in Von Miller. He seems level headed, smart, and willing to do whatever it takes. Hopefully he’ll be one of the better first round draft picks we have had in the past few of seasons.
I agree, different sections for different fans. Why do you think in college they have student sections…you don’t see 50 or 60 year olds in the student section. That’s just part of the fun of being at the game.