11/06/06

As I left my hooch to come to work late this afternoon, I was greeted by a driving rain. It has been raining nearly everyday for the past couple weeks.

When it rains here, the mud it creates is unlike that of home. Here it turns into a paste of sorts. When it dries, it dries hard as a rock.

In fact, there are houses made out of this stuff in Iraq.

Walking to work in the rain, as my boots got heavier and heavier from the "mud". I couldn't help but wonder how Saddam's trial in Baghdad went today.

I didn't have to wonder for long.

As soon as I walked into the tent, I was immediately asked if I had heard the news. That's all everyone was talking about. I went to a computer to visit a news site, to get more details. I downloaded this story with the heavy headline, and posted it on a board by the door.

HUSSEIN SENTENCED TO DEATH

I talked with many tonight, however, I made a concerted effort to engage in conversation the Iraqis, Kurds, and other foreign nationals that come in the tent every night, for their observations on today's events.

I spoke with one of the Kurdish guys I have become friends with here, who comes in the tent every night. He told me of how Saddam killed 18 of his immediate and distant family members, more than two decades ago.

He told me, he and the rest of his family thought they would never see this day and get...albeit long overdue...justice for the killing of his family.

With a mix of anger, and a sadness seemingly near tears in his eyes, he told me, he would like to be the one to put the rope around Saddam's neck.

This was one of the many stories I was told tonight, by several of those who have lived in oppression, and fear of this man, for much longer than they ever should have.

Like 2004, when I was in Tikrit.

There was a soccer field on our camp.

I had the opportunity to meet several of the local Iraqis that came on our camp during the day, that either were employed by the Army to do things, or sold things at the Haji shops. One day I was invited to lunch with 4 of them.

During lunch we discussed many things. There is one thing that they told me though that is still to this day burned in my mind.

What Saddam did on that soccer field.

They told me ever so often, Saddam would send buses around Tikrit, and the other smaller villages in the area to involuntarily pick people up, and bring them to this soccer field. There...they were to be witnesses, moreover though, to be given violent warnings.
Saddam, and his sons would bring those who had somehow wronged them, onto this field for hours of torture, and in some cases, brutally kill them in front of every man, woman, and child in the stands. Their descriptions of these times, were horrible. Everyone of those I ate lunch with that day, knew someone who was killed on that soccer field.

With the anticipated verdict of Saddam's trial today we, as all coalition forces in the country, are on high alert. The past 3 days F-18's, Predator's, and other craft could be seen flying over Mosul, (and us), non-stop. (I can hear an F-18 flying over the tent at this very moment.) All in a better-safe-than-sorry scenario, because no one knows for sure what to expect.

(We all know what happened last time we were told the citizens here would be paving the streets with flowers in gratitude.)

All the precautions though did not stop a couple "homemade" rocket/mortars from landing by some hooches yesterday, at what is soon to be called "Marez East". Wounding 3 civilians with schrapnel. None of the wounds were reported as life threatening so that's good.

Our Halloween party was great...well...except for the no beer part. We had several soldiers, and civilians in costumes, some homemade, some they had sent to them. I turned out all the lights, and put up chemlights and a couple strobes lights, (plus the other halloween stuff, lights, glow in the dark signs, etc, I put up earlier in the month for a scary ambience.

I had met some soldiers, (that had actually first met each other here in the tent), that had started a Hip Hop group. Two of them had studios in their houses in the states, and had sent for equipment and set up a little studio in their hooch here.

Anyway...they performed Halloween night at the party. I didn't hesistate when they asked me if they could perform at the party after they saw a flyer I put up. I was though...a little leery at first 'cause I had not had the opportunity to hear them yet, plus it was the first time they ever performed in front of anyone together.

But turns out, they were great!! Everyone was dancing around and having a good time. When the group was done singing, everyone in the audience formed a line on their own, and had a little meet and greet with them. It was a most pleasant surprize, and they really made the party something special.

At the end of the night when they were getting ready to leave they told me what a great time they had and repeatedly thanked ME for letting them perform for their first time here in the tent.

I told them if anyone deserves credit and thanks, it was them.

Then...all 5 of them presented me with one of their flight suits, with a very cool Iraqi Freedom patch on it.

I didn't know what to say.

They told me they had a mission in two hours and had to go. We all shook hands, and they left out into the night, laughing, and slapping each other on the back.

It was a much needed, good night for all....and I was glad to play a small part in it....