Photo By Pfc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve | Spc. Brandon Burris, a convoy security Soldier, Headquarters and Headquarters Company,...... read more read more
By Spc. Cynthia S. Teears
11th Public Affairs Detachment
COB SPEICHER, Iraq - Having a place where the Soldiers can be themselves is a great stress reducer while deployed to Iraq. The average Soldier is at work the majority of the time, with few to no days off.
This is where the Morale, Welfare and Recreation comes into play. Troops find a way to relax in a combat zone through the MWR center at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, located in Tikrit, Iraq.
The MWR offers a variety of activities for service members and civilians. One favorite crowd pleaser is karaoke. Soldiers can come in and sing their favorite songs during karaoke night, Tuesday and Thursday at the main MWR facility.
"I love Karaoke," exclaimed Spc. Matthew Hansen, a motor transport operator, 426th Brigade Support Battalion. "Sing badly if you must, but sing!"
"Karaoke gives you time to get away from work," said Sgt. Thera Pead, a supply sergeant assigned to Company A, 426th BSB, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. "It gives you a chance to be yourself and it builds morale."
A large variety of music is available to choose from during karaoke night, ranging from-- Country, Rock, Classic Rock and 70's music. There's even a little Rhythm & Blues and Rap thrown into the mix.
Several favorite choice artists from the Soldiers are Kenny Chesney, Christina Aguilera, Led Zepplin and Olivia Newton-John from time to time.
"We have 4,300 songs, by at least 1,000 different artists," said Adam Weber, an MWR events coordinator. "If we get a new hard drive we will have 32,000 songs."
Even though, most of the Soldiers come to show-off their talents with to audience, some come to watch, relax and enjoy these particular performances.
"I come here to watch everybody sing," said Tammy Knight, a program executive office based out of Fort Hood, Texas.
There are many talented Soldiers who only sing. However, there are a few Soldiers who dazzle the crowd with a few dance moves during their performance.
"The performances, so far, are high quality singing and high quality performances," said Capt. Joe Billingsley a procurement officer for the 1st Armored Division. "It's good to give the Soldiers options and there are plenty of options here. I really can't complain about the quality of life, with the robust MWR program."
Many Soldiers said karaoke was good, especially after a hard day of work and it was just the right place to go and have a good time.
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2008 09:08 |
| Story ID: | 20435 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 500 |
| Downloads: | 348 |
This work, Karaoke in Iraq, by PFC Cynthia Teears Van Cleve, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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