Lilian's Blog from Iraq Tour Dec 07
Well, it's that time of year again! Time for the most wonderful event of the year: The WWE “Tribute to The Troops” Christmas show, which once again is being held from Iraq!!
This is truly the most rewarding time of the year for me, when WWE gets to go over to the Middle East and personally shake thousands of soldiers' hands and say thank you!
What especially makes this trip so important to me is that I was lucky enough to be born and raised an "Army Brat," where my father served in the military for more than 20 years, and is now a retired lieutenant colonel. I am very proud of him, and all our armed forces for everything they do for us so we can enjoy our freedom!! So because I grew up living on numerous military bases, I always feel a very special connection coming to Iraq and living among all our soldiers. Even though I don't know them personally, they feel like family members to me.
This is my fourth time heading to the Middle East (three times in Iraq and one time in Afghanistan), and I wanted to share with you some of the experiences of our trip.
Day 1
We left from Charleston, S.C., right after Raw with 30 production crewmembers and 24 Superstars. This is truly a life-changing experience in many ways and after every trip, I always seem to take away something new that affects my life.
The plane we traveled in was a huge C-17 military cargo plane. It carried all of us, along with the production equipment we needed to put on the show in Iraq. There were no windows in the plane, so as we were traveling through time zones we never knew if it was day or night. That definitely took some getting use to. However, as soon as we all got on the plane, we all started having a great time hanging out with each other and sharing a beer or two (or three or four). LOL! It was really a great bonding time between us.
The original plan for this trip was to fly from South Carolina to Germany, and then after refueling, head to Iraq. Unfortunately, due to a maintenance issue with the air refueling aircraft, we weren't able to get refueled in the air so we had to stop in New Finland, Canada before reaching Germany. This added extra hours to our trip, which barring any problems was already going to be 16 hours. Well, once we reached Germany we had a maintenance issue with our aircraft, which added even more time. The trip ended up taking 22 hours and we were never allowed to get off the aircraft!! Well, even with all these issues everyone made the best of it; we knew that what was important was not to complain, but to get to Iraq safely and start meeting the soldiers!!
During these flights, I always love to go up to the cockpit and hang out with the pilot and co-pilot because it's really neat to see all that goes on in flying an aircraft this massive. This particular time I was up there for the take-off from Germany heading to Iraq. Chris and Frank where the pilots and they allowed me to listen in on the headphones so I could hear the procedure they were taking to get the aircraft off the ground!
During the flight, all the lights are on bright, but as soon as we hit the border of Iraq, the only lights that go on are red lights. This is a security measure so that the enemy can't see us in the air and try to shoot us down. I think this is when it really hit all of us that we were truly heading into the war zone.
For me, the experience of this trip always starts as soon as we leave the arena and head to the plane. It is a start of a very exciting and memorable journey, which I am very honored to be a part of!!
Day 2
We finally reached Iraq around 7:00 a.m. Wednesday and went to our barracks. The base we were at was Camp Speicher, which is in Tikrit, Iraq. Even though the base has improved a lot since we were there two years ago, it still has very humble surroundings and just the necessities to survive. In other words, the country still has a long way to go. It is all desert, which translates to lots and lots of dust!!! Allergy sufferers beware!!
Camp Speicher used to be an old Iraqi airbase, so it felt strange to know that we were sleeping where the enemy use to sleep. Our barracks were very, very simple. They consisted of a room with a cot and plywood shelves, but at least it had electricity and heat. The bathrooms (or as the military calls them “the latrines”) were located down from the barracks, so making a run to the bathroom or taking a shower took on a whole new meaning. But even without all the comforts of home, the group couldn't be happier to be here!
We had chow in the mess hall, which is now called the D-Facs (dining facility), and it is a huge cafeteria full of all sorts of food!! The variety was unbelievable!! After breakfast, we split into four groups so that we could spread out and see as many soldiers as possible. My group consisted of Hardcore Holly, Mr. Kennedy and Mark Henry and I couldn't have been happier cause they are awesome guys and I couldn't wait to share this experience with them!!
Our first stop was visiting the soldiers from the 111th Engineer Brigade. They received us with open arms, and because they are engineers, they built a ring for us! It was awesome!! They built it using tape, foam, wire, and even socks to stuff the turnbuckles! They had our photos blown up on the wall and were all so excited to see us! It was great! We had a blast with them!
From there, we visited the offices of the soldiers that are in charge of processing all the medals that are to be awarded to the soldiers that have earned them. It was very special for me to personally see and hold a Purple Heart medal!! Wow, what an honor!
We then were taken for a tour around their barracks and saw what a simple life they lead every day! Their offices are made of plywood on all four walls, they live in small spaces with only a bed, table and chair, and to entertain themselves they play games like toss across. It truly is bare bones!
After the visit of their barracks, we were taken to a field where their trucks were. Here we saw a truck with a long extended arm, which we learned is used to find IEDs. IEDs are homemade bombs that the Iraqis use to blow up our military trucks and kill hundreds' of our soldiers. The extended arm on the truck has a camera, which allows it to dig and look for IEDs before they go off.
Next, we saw a truck with a device inside that has night vision screens and also heat-detecting screens. This helps track the enemy at night and also detects where the bombs are. It was all very interesting, but I'd rather live in a world where none of it is necessary!!
The best was left for last ... the bulldozer!! Actually, I had never ridden in a bulldozer until today, much less driven one!! It was so much fun to drive. But it's funny, as soon as I got behind the wheel, all the soldiers ran away and took cover. What were they afraid of??? LOL!!
All throughout the day we had autograph signing sessions and took lots of pictures with the soldiers. It was really a great first day, and I can't wait for more tomorrow.
Day 3
Once again, we were split into four groups so we could see as many soldiers as possible. My group was up early, and headed to chow. After chow, our first stop was visiting the 325 Combat Support Hospital (CASH).
As soon as we arrived, there was a helicopter that had landed and was bringing in a hurt Iraqi soldier. You might find it strange that our military doctors are helping the enemy, but you see, it is important to help all human beings in this war. One of the the U.S. soldiers was telling us that when an Iraqi soldier first comes in, he is very distraught that he has been captured, but after he sees how good our soldiers treat him, his view about Americans start to change. I think this is vital and very important in winning this war, because the Iraqi enemy has been brainwashed to believe Americans are evil when clearly we are not!!
After the wounded soldier was taken in, we were given a tour of the hospital. I was really excited to see it because when I was in college, I actually thought about going to medical school. I ended up choosing media arts, but I still love medicine. They first showed us the room where all patients are brought in for diagnosis. It is just a room with beds lined up all against the wall. From there, we visited the pharmacy, which is in a small room with really tight quarters. There is medicine lined up in every nook and cranny!! Space is definitely an issue here. Next we went to the X-ray area.
Basically, it is in a hallway with an X-ray machine to the side. What was really funny, was that the technician wanted to get an X-ray of one of us and the guys volunteered me! I actually took advantage of this offer and had him X-ray my knee to see how it was healing. I'm glad to inform all of you, that the X-rays looked good and my knee is healing well. LOL!
After we left the X-ray area, we visited the surgery room. We actually weren't allowed inside because they need to keep it sterile, but we looked at it through the window. It was very tiny, but I was really impressed with how they go to all lengths to keep the dust out. Not an easy task in this country. We then did an autograph signing for all the medical staff, and it was great meeting all of them!!
Once we left the hospital, we went to visit the 131 Armored Cavaliers. These are the soldiers that go out in the big tanks. When I saw their armored gear, I asked if I could put it on, and OMG, I wasn't prepared for what happened. The entire ensemble weighs more than 75 pounds!!!!! I couldn't believe how heavy it was. I then proceeded to get into the tank with the gear on and had to be helped inside. I could hardly move! They have to wear this at all times during their 18-hour shifts!!!! It doesn't matter if you are man or woman, you have to have it on! Wow, now that's tough!!
OK, time to say goodbye to the Cavaliers and hello to the 3rd Battalion/1st Aviation Regiment. These are the soldiers that go out in all types of helicopters including the Black Hawk. Here, the soldiers dressed me in their flying gear – and I was happy to say it didn't weigh as much as the other gear. They took us on a tour of two different helicopters and Kennedy, Hardcore and I even climbed to the top of the Black Hawk! It was really great just hanging out with all of them!!
After we left them, we were suppose to have a small break before meeting the major general, but we decided to have an impromptu visit with the soldiers at the main gate to the base. When we arrived, we were amazed to see that a convoy was heading out of the main gate and leaving with supplies for the other bases. It really hit me then that I was in Iraq in the middle of a war, and that these troops were going out not knowing if they would safely make it back to base.
There were four soldiers manning the gate and their mouths dropped open when they saw us. They had heard that we were on the base but they couldn't believe we had taken time out to come visit them personally. Actually, I was the one amazed. Amazed at how brave these troops are and their commitment to the mission. It really was a very special visit.
After we left there, we joined all the other groups and went to Task Force Iron and visited Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling. He was great! Hertling was so full of energy and made us all feel so very special!! He presented us each with a Certificate of Excellence and a very special military coin. It really was a touching moment.
After we left the major general, we all went back to the barracks and shared stories of our day's events. Unfortunately, due to the weather, group three had to spend the night at the base they were visiting, which was about an hour away from us. Mickie James was in that group, so I was sad that she wouldn't be able to spend the night with Maria and I. I'm told they will join us tomorrow at the show.
It was a very tiring, but extremely fulfilling day!! Time to get some rest before the show!!
Day 4
Welcome to show day!! We all got up early so we could head to the stadium where WWE's “Tribute To The Troops” Christmas show would be taking place.
This stadium holds many bad memories because it was where Saddam Hussein's son Uday had the Iraqi national soccer team executed because they lost a game! In fact, Uday was notorious for torturing numerous athletes if they didn't win. Totally disgusting!! Well, as I was standing in the middle of that stadium, I was really happy knowing that the torture was finally over and that Uday was finally gone and couldn't hurt another human being!!
When showtime came around, everyone was really excited! All the Superstars were pumped to go out and perform for the soldiers, and the soldiers were excited to have a piece of home come to them! As always, I was very emotional inside because I knew I was opening the show with the national anthem. Having the troops surrounding the ring, saluting the flag while I sing those words, truly takes on a whole new meaning! It was a very, very special moment!!!
Well, we finished our show and everything went great!! It is sad to think that our trip is almost over. Before heading home, we had one last autograph signing to do for the troops that came to the show. It lasted four hours with all the Superstars at one long table. We didn't leave until every last soldier that lined up for an autograph got one! That was the least we could do for these men and women, who put their lives on the line for us everyday.
After the signing, we packed up and got ready to go home. This is when we had a surge of emotions going through us. We are happy to be going home to our loved ones, but we also feel sad that we have to leave these soldiers behind. I just wish they could have all come back with us, however, I do thank them for their bravery!!
I also want to thank the three soldiers that were with my group escorting us around for three days. They are Lt. Jarrod Trujillo, Maj. Todd Bajakian and Lt. Col. Richard Sheetz. They came up with a great schedule to make sure we were able to visit as many troops as possible in a day and took great care of us! Thank you, we had a blast!
In closing, I can't tell you how proud I feel to be a part of a company that supports the troops like WWE does! Seeing how happy we made the soldiers, it made my Christmas!! This trip is always a life-changing experience and makes me not take anything for granted. I want to personally thank the troops for touching my life!! I love you very much and your bravery truly makes me proud to be an American!!
Happy Holidays, everyone!! 'Til next year!!
Forever Rockin',
Lilian Garcia
Reference: WWE.com
| 
