Latin night at Warhorse is 'muy caliente'

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

01.23.2010

Courtesy Story

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

By Spc. Ry Norris
3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

DIYALA, Iraq — He bends towards her and extends his hand. Without saying a word he waits patiently for her response. She sneaks a glance at him through her lashes, and with a hint of a smile, she places her hand in his.

He guides her onto the stage. He glances at their joined hands and moves them into position. With his left hand, he lightly runs his fingers down the length of her arm to guide her hand onto his shoulder. With his arm tucked beneath hers and his right hand on her back, he guides her as Latin music serenades them through the stereo.

For many residents of Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Saturday evenings are spent dancing to Latin music at the Faulkenburg Theater at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

The Faulkenburg Theater reminds one of a school auditorium. It has stadium seating that gives the audience a perfect view of the wooden stage. The stage is framed with wooden steps leading onto the stage while a white backdrop serves as a projection screen. The only thing missing to complete the picture are the big red curtains sectioning off the stage.

In front of the stage next to the stereo system sits disc jockey Henry Caban, a General Dynamics civilian contractor working with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Caban is in charge of Latin Night at FOB Warhorse.

"We have great support from the MWR," said Caban. "They allow us to use the theater and their wonderful sound system. We offer dance lessons starting at 8:30 every Saturday night and keep the party going until midnight. Everyone is here: the Ugandans, the interpreters and the Soldiers."

Two individuals who took advantage of the dance lessons are Abdulah Abbas, an interpreter for the 66th Military Police Company, and Staff Sgt. Claudia I. Moroni, a dispersing agent with Bravo Detachment, 15th Financial Management Company. Both have their reasons as to why they attend Latin Night.

"You know the song 'Hotel California?' ... 'Some dance to remember, some dance to forget' ... I dance for both," said Abbas, who has attended Latin Night for more than two years. "I remember the good times I've had and try to forget the bad."

As for Staff Sgt. Moroni, she attends Latin Night to break the monotony of her deployment schedule. As a single parent with two children, she said she rarely had time to enjoy herself at home.

"In a way, this deployment is a blessing in disguise," Staff Sgt. Moroni said. "I have more 'me' time, but I miss being with my kids."

Regardless of the reason, residents of FOB Warhorse who attend Latin Night agree it helps to pass the time. Once the music plays, the dancers let their bodies move to the beat.

As the two dancers move their hips to the music, the Soldier spins his partner one last time. She makes her way back to him, starting in the same position they began.

He guides her right hand across his body then behind his head. He releases her right hand as she strokes the back of his head. She moves her hand down to caress the side of his face, as he closes his eyes and turns his head slightly.

Finally their hands come together again as the song ends. He bows his head, thanking her for the dance.

• Date Taken: 01.23.2010
• Date Posted: 02.05.2010 09:13
• Story ID: 44971
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ