Hello "Red Bull" Band friends and family,
The 34th ID Band is busy preparing for a big day. The Transfer of Authority (TOA) between the 10th Mountain Division and the 34th Infantry Division will occur very soon here at Combat Operation Base Basrah. The "Red Bull" Band will be there in full force. It will be one of the only times during the deployment that all 44 Soldiers of the Band collaborate for a musical mission.
Part of the ceremony is performing the host nation country National Anthem. It is a very good possibility that some Iraqi citizens in attendance at the TOA ceremony will hear their National Anthem by live performers for the first time, or for that matter for the first time ever.
SGT Brenda Bushera has worked with Iraqi interpreters to learn the Iraqi National Anthem, "My Homeland" and will sing both the US and the Iraqi Anthems accompanied by the "Red Bull" Band. This will be a very special time for the leaders of Iraq and the US to collaborate. It is a also a time to reflect on the great things the 10th Mountain Division, under the leadership of Major General Michael Oates accomplished, and what the road ahead is for our Commander MG Rick Nash and the 34th Infantry Division. "Red Bulls" lead the way.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Busy busy bulls
Greetings friends and family of "Red Bull" Soldiers. You would be proud of the work everyone is doing here in Basrah. The morale is very high and the work output from all sections is outstanding. The "Red Bull" Band is very busy.
We have performed over 25 concerts already in the short time we have been operational. Our 6 performing ensembles are carving out temporary rehearsal areas around Camp Basrah and each day brings a new gig or a new place to practice.
We are rehearsing in tents, trailers, air hangars, chapel annexes and even in the motor pool under a tin shelter. The gigs we have done have been very rewarding for the Soldiers. One was performing for the participants of the Bataan Death March at Camp Basrah, a sister race to the one in Brainerd, MN. The 1/194 Armor out of Brainerd MN hosts a 20 mile road march each year that honors the 75,000 US and Philippine prisoners of war who were forced to march 60 miles in 1941. Over 20,000 died during, or as a result of that forced march. Soldiers of Minnesota's 1/194 Armor Battalion were part of that unimaginable day and this march helps us to "never forget Bataan."
The Echos of Liberty performed at the start of the march and the Northern Star Brass Quintet performed at the turn around point. As I write this the "Red Devils" are performing for the 615 CRE Air Force at the Basrah Air Hangar. An early highlight is that we are now international ambassadors for Minnesota and the United States Army. In one concert the "Red Devil" Rock Combo and the "Center Mass" Rock Band performed for British Special Forces Soldiers, Iraqi Police, Iraqi Army Soldiers and US Soldiers. The camaraderie brought about by the music was an experience I will never forget.
As the "Red Devils" performed "Touch Me Babe" by the Doors, an Iraqi Policeman danced right in front of the band with the most energy and passion possible by a human being. I was standing with his Iraqi friends as they heckled (in a good way) and encouraged him. Even though there was a language barrier the fellowship was genuine as we truly enjoyed the moment - the music bonded us as we laughed together. Human beings are each unique and our cultures are different but the bonds that are created when joint efforts are put towards a common goal is very encouraging. The US, British, Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army all worked together the next day training and performing missions to continue to make Iraq a better place.
It is inspiring to me personally to see the passion for life and service to others that the Soldiers and Iraqis here in Basrah have. I said going into this that it will be a life changing experience and it already has been for me.
We have performed over 25 concerts already in the short time we have been operational. Our 6 performing ensembles are carving out temporary rehearsal areas around Camp Basrah and each day brings a new gig or a new place to practice.
We are rehearsing in tents, trailers, air hangars, chapel annexes and even in the motor pool under a tin shelter. The gigs we have done have been very rewarding for the Soldiers. One was performing for the participants of the Bataan Death March at Camp Basrah, a sister race to the one in Brainerd, MN. The 1/194 Armor out of Brainerd MN hosts a 20 mile road march each year that honors the 75,000 US and Philippine prisoners of war who were forced to march 60 miles in 1941. Over 20,000 died during, or as a result of that forced march. Soldiers of Minnesota's 1/194 Armor Battalion were part of that unimaginable day and this march helps us to "never forget Bataan."
The Echos of Liberty performed at the start of the march and the Northern Star Brass Quintet performed at the turn around point. As I write this the "Red Devils" are performing for the 615 CRE Air Force at the Basrah Air Hangar. An early highlight is that we are now international ambassadors for Minnesota and the United States Army. In one concert the "Red Devil" Rock Combo and the "Center Mass" Rock Band performed for British Special Forces Soldiers, Iraqi Police, Iraqi Army Soldiers and US Soldiers. The camaraderie brought about by the music was an experience I will never forget.
As the "Red Devils" performed "Touch Me Babe" by the Doors, an Iraqi Policeman danced right in front of the band with the most energy and passion possible by a human being. I was standing with his Iraqi friends as they heckled (in a good way) and encouraged him. Even though there was a language barrier the fellowship was genuine as we truly enjoyed the moment - the music bonded us as we laughed together. Human beings are each unique and our cultures are different but the bonds that are created when joint efforts are put towards a common goal is very encouraging. The US, British, Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army all worked together the next day training and performing missions to continue to make Iraq a better place.
It is inspiring to me personally to see the passion for life and service to others that the Soldiers and Iraqis here in Basrah have. I said going into this that it will be a life changing experience and it already has been for me.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Red Bulls Lead the Way
The 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band is currently assigned to Multi National Division-South, and is stationed at Camp Basrah, Iraq. We are replacing the 10th Mountain Division Band and currently have our advance party on ground setting up our company area of operations in Basrah.
The rest of the "Red Bull" Band is currently completing training in Camp Buehring, Kuwait and will be in Basrah in a matter of days.
On 2 May 2009 the 34th Infantry Division Band and the 10th Mountain Division Band combined forces to perform in a jazz quintet during lunch at the dining facility located next to the Division Headquarters at Camp Basrah. This performance was the first time since WWII that Soldiers of the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band performed music for Soldiers in combat.
The over 2,500 US and Coalition Soldiers that ate lunch during their performance thoroughly enjoyed the performance. I heard one soldier comment as he left after eating, "this was the closest I felt to home in months." SFC Elliot and SGT Kearns of the 10th Mountain Band have been very helpful in the "Relief In Place" (RIP) process. Their expertise and experience have set us up for success during this RIP; and their performance today in the jazz quintet was a true testament to the outstanding tradition and excellence of the 10th Mountain Division.
I was proud to witness these two storied Divisions combining talents to provide entertainment to the coalition forces. SFC Johnson, SFC Hunter and SGT Vogl of the 34th ID Band performed with dedication and enthusiasm. SGT Vogl had been up all night after driving the LMTV (Light Medium Tactical Vehicle) to load baggage and receive Soldiers of the 34th ID as they arrived in Basrah from Kuwait.
Two other members of the "Red Bull" Band ADVON party, SSG Gangi and SSG Fults are working shifts in the Base Defense Operation Cell until that staff arrives in Iraq.
We are all working hard to set the "Red Bull" Band up for success in the coming year. I have never been more proud to work with a group of people. I believe in what we bring to the war effort and look forward to lifting the spirits of all the Soldiers we perform for. We miss our loved ones but are growing from this experience. Stay in touch for more blogs/updates from myself and other Soldiers of the "Red Bull" Band - "Red Bulls" lead the way!
Chief Warrant Officer Trygve Skaar 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band Commanding
The rest of the "Red Bull" Band is currently completing training in Camp Buehring, Kuwait and will be in Basrah in a matter of days.
On 2 May 2009 the 34th Infantry Division Band and the 10th Mountain Division Band combined forces to perform in a jazz quintet during lunch at the dining facility located next to the Division Headquarters at Camp Basrah. This performance was the first time since WWII that Soldiers of the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band performed music for Soldiers in combat.
The over 2,500 US and Coalition Soldiers that ate lunch during their performance thoroughly enjoyed the performance. I heard one soldier comment as he left after eating, "this was the closest I felt to home in months." SFC Elliot and SGT Kearns of the 10th Mountain Band have been very helpful in the "Relief In Place" (RIP) process. Their expertise and experience have set us up for success during this RIP; and their performance today in the jazz quintet was a true testament to the outstanding tradition and excellence of the 10th Mountain Division.
I was proud to witness these two storied Divisions combining talents to provide entertainment to the coalition forces. SFC Johnson, SFC Hunter and SGT Vogl of the 34th ID Band performed with dedication and enthusiasm. SGT Vogl had been up all night after driving the LMTV (Light Medium Tactical Vehicle) to load baggage and receive Soldiers of the 34th ID as they arrived in Basrah from Kuwait.
Two other members of the "Red Bull" Band ADVON party, SSG Gangi and SSG Fults are working shifts in the Base Defense Operation Cell until that staff arrives in Iraq.
We are all working hard to set the "Red Bull" Band up for success in the coming year. I have never been more proud to work with a group of people. I believe in what we bring to the war effort and look forward to lifting the spirits of all the Soldiers we perform for. We miss our loved ones but are growing from this experience. Stay in touch for more blogs/updates from myself and other Soldiers of the "Red Bull" Band - "Red Bulls" lead the way!
Chief Warrant Officer Trygve Skaar 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band Commanding
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