Third Day Rocks CAB

Photo By Maj. Enrique Vasquez | Lead singer Mac Powell of the Atlanta-based Christian rock band Third Day performs for...... read more read more

Photo By Maj. Enrique Vasquez | Lead singer Mac Powell of the Atlanta-based Christian rock band Third Day performs for a crowd of several hundred Soldiers, Marines and Airmen at Contingency Operating Base Speicher on Jan. 17. Band members got a unique opportunity to perform for U.S. service members in northern Iraq as part of the United Service Organizations sponsored God and Country Tour.  see less | View Image Page

TIKRIT, IRAQ

01.22.2008

Story by Maj. Enrique Vasquez 

Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division

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Maj. Enrique T. Vasquez, Combat Aviation Brigade 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — Soldiers of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, spent a music-filled evening jamming to the sounds of the Atlanta-based Christian rock band Third Day.

The CAB Soldiers along with several hundred other Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Civilians attended a United Service Organizations sponsored concert at Contingency Operating Base Speicher on Jan. 17. Military fans of the multi-platinum, Grammy and Dove Award-winning rock band got to see the veteran music group up close and personal in Iraq.

The background sounds of electric guitar, bass and drums complemented the vocals of lead singer Mac Powell who quickly turned the crowd into a euphoric audience. Concert attendees were moved by the spiritual lyrics of the band as they raised their arms and sang with the band.

"I think it's uplifting and I believe by them being here, they give us a sense of hope and faith while we are away from our family and friends. Just hearing God's word and having that around you along with his love and glory can be quite uplifting to anybody," said Pfc. Jazzlyn D. Castro, Headquarters Support Company, 601st Aviation Support Battalion.

The band experienced a very warm welcome too by service members as reflected by those attending the concert.

"I think it's a great thing that the band took time to come to a war zone to entertain the troops. There are a lot of music groups that can be brought for Soldiers, but it's impressive to solicit a Christian group to come to play for the troops," said Sgt. 1st Class Travis Wilson, Headquarters and Headquarter Company, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment.

During the concert the band invited several members of the audience to play and sing with the band, including Sgt. Chad E. "Sticks" Cooke, of Company D, 2-1 GSAB.

"Come on down Sticks show us what you got. Play the drums with us. You better be good," said Powell. After a few instructions, Cooke and the rest of the band played the song, "Consuming Fire."

Powell and drummer David Carr were extremely impressed with Cooke's drumming skill and remarked Carr should get ready for new employment in Iraq.

"Looks like David Carr will be looking for another line of work, Sticks did a real good job; let's have a round of applause for Sticks," said Powell.
Over the past decade, Third Day has amassed 24 No. 1 singles and sold almost six million albums.
"I think it's great the band came to entertain," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Coy Pennington of Headquarters and Headquarter Company, CAB, a fan of the band for the past ten years. "I have heard everything they have ever played and own all of their albums."

Pennington got a chance to spend time with the band earlier in the day when Third Day visited the CAB area. He and other pilots were on hand to show the musicians the high-tech AH-64D Apache Longbows helicopters.

The band too exhibited excitement especially for one song pertaining to Christ's sacrifice on Cavalry hill, which left a deep impression on the band.

"The show was nothing short of unbelievable. We decided to add 'Love Song' to the middle of the set and I had to look down the whole time or I'd totally lose it. I talked to several after the show who had lost it during that song and at several other times during the set," said Mark Lee, guitarist for Third Day.

Bringing people together through music is what some service members think about Third Day's songs and lyrics.

"Music events are great because they do a couple of things. They bring Soldiers together, which allows them to worship together. It also encourages Soldiers to listen to others that minister too. Third Day is a very Christ centered band and they put the word out quite well," said Chaplain (Capt.) Jeff McKinney, battalion chaplain for 1-1 AA.

"The music is awesome!" said Spc. Zachary M. Smalley, Headquarters and Headquarters' Company, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment. "It is the easiest way to get young people's attention, and old people's attention; music is what binds people together," said Smalley.