By Pfc. Matthew McLaughlin
10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Officer
CAMP LIBERTY, Baghdad -- When Spec. Eric Petty turned 21 in Iraq, he thought he would have to wait for redeployment or leave to enjoy his first legal beer.
Fortunately, Soldiers assigned and attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Commandos), 10th Mountain Division enjoyed a collective cold, refreshing treat Sunday and drank, (legally), sweet freedom in the form of beer.
There was also some football game on the Soldiers also enjoyed.
As a special treat to celebrate for hard work and heroism, Maj. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, 1st Cavalry Division commander, permitted Soldiers to have two beers, donated from Anheuser Busch, during dinner for the Super Bowl.
Some heard rumblings and rumors of beer for Super Bowl Sunday, but were skeptical about the possibility. Soldiers expressed their appreciation in the form of toasts and cheers when they went to eat.
"It was unexpected," Petty, a Fort Worth, Texas native attached to 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, Fort Polk, La., said. "It is a refreshing change of pace. It's better than water. Even on New Years they had sparkling grape juice (instead of alcohol.)"
The event wasn't a drinking free-for-all, however. A fragmentary order laid out specific details on how the beer was to be distributed and consumed. Soldiers were limited to two beers and they could only drink it inside dining facilities.
Designated non-commissioned officers opened and handed each Soldier their beverage and scratched their names off the list of eligible drinkers
Although the Super Bowl is not an official holiday, many Soldiers said the annual event is pure Americana, a holiday that everyone can enjoy. Soldiers were almost 50/50 in their support for either the Philadelphia Eagles or the New England Patriots.
The result was unanimous, however in support of refreshing adult beverages.
"Nothing compares to it. Nothing tastes so good, so wonderful," said Spec. Daniel Mcrae, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment in his best commercial impression. "I savored the flavor."
Mcrae even went so far as to say that the special occasion made the beer taste even better than a drink he could get any time back home.
The waiting was the hardest part, but the drink was filled with the taste of anticipation.
"It wouldn't taste as good," is they always had beer, he said. "Beer always tastes good, don't get me wrong."
Soldiers watched the Super Bowl from their rooms, dining facilities and tactical operations centers. Soldiers from Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT, had a smorges board of pizza, chips and drinks as they watched the Patriots win 24-21 in the early morning hours. The room was filled with cheers and jeers, but not beers, as they were not allowed outside the dining facility.
Before Sunday, the closest thing to beer Soldiers could drink was non-alcoholic, or "near beer," that was readily available at dining facilities. The imitation was no substitution for the real deal, said Sgt. Timothy Harder, a Saco, Maine native and Patriots fan from 2-14 Infantry.
"It's more crisp than non-alcoholic beer," he said. "Non-alcoholic is more heavy. This was just like, ahh. I thought it might lose it's flavor, but it doesn't ."
The privilege of drinking was more than just a refreshing change of pace. It is also a morale booster and a reminder of home and what they can look forward to when they redeploy, said Jonathan Carpenito, a Manchester, N.H. native and another Patriots fan from 2-14 Infantry.
"It's a good thing. It boosts everyone's spirit. We're grateful," he said, adding that the whole Camp Liberty experience is a relief from stresses of deployment.
"All around they did an excellent job to boost moral," he said. "We were here last year, they didn't have a PX, didn't have an MWR or a gym. Whoever is responsible did a real good job boosting morale."
Beer.
The game is over and barrels of empty bottles of joy are disposed of. The only things remaining are the memories of fun in a war zone, frosty wishes and buffalo wing dreams.
| Date Taken: | 02.16.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 02.16.2005 13:21 |
| Story ID: | 1162 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 223 |
| Downloads: | 122 |
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