Jazz, coffee morale medicine for Marines in Iraq

Photo By Sgt. Enrique Diaz | Sgt. Eric G. Froats, from London, Ontario, relaxes to some jazz music after a hard day's work at the base's prosecution office in Camp Taqaddum, Iraq July 7, 2006. The jazz night's inauguration a few weeks ago filled a niche for Marines who did not attend other recreational activities such as the videogame room, which are geared more towards younger Marines. Jazz night at the recreation center here may not have the same atmosphere found in one of its New York or Chicago counterparts, but it serves its purpose for the Marines, sailors and soldiers stationed at this logistics hub located in the heart of the unpredictable Al Anbar Province. Official USMC photo by: Sgt. Enrique S. Diaz (060707-M-2864D-003) (Released)  

AL TAQADDUM, IRAQ

07.11.2006

Courtesy Story

1st Marine Logistics Group

1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq - Life on base is often monotonous when it isn't dangerous for the service members stationed here. The occasional mortar and rocket landing in the base's perimeter can break up daily routines.

Daily convoys leave the relative safety of the base braving improvised explosive devices to deliver supplies and transport troops to hotspots like Ramadi and Fallujah.

Dust storms and 110 degree-plus temperatures are the norm for the nearly 6,000 service members serving in a variety of capacities at Taqaddum. Professionals such as administrative clerks keeping personnel records in order to explosive ordnance technicians who search Iraq's roadways for improvised explosive devices can be found working long and hard doing their part to secure Iraq.

Finding new ways of getting away from the routines and dangers while deployed here is something many of these service members work almost as hard at as they do their jobs. A new addition to the recreation center here should help them out.

The quaint jazz club picks up around 10 p.m. Contemporary saxophone music permeates the room as three middle-aged men play poker and enjoy a conversation. Another man sits on a couch with his eyes closed, absorbing and relaxing to the instrumental coming from the stereo; his assault rifle leans on the couch next to him.

Jazz night at the recreation center here may not have the same atmosphere found in one of its New York or Chicago counterparts, but it serves its purpose for the Marines, sailors and soldiers stationed at this logistics hub located in the heart of the hostile Al Anbar Province.

For many of the service members deployed here for 6 to 12 months, small distractions like the jazz club can provide a welcomed break from the stresses of being far from home in a combat zone.

Sgt. Eric G. Froats, a former jazz percussionist back home in London, Ontario, is one such Marine who has taken a liking to the recent addition. As a military justice clerk for the prosecutor's office here, Froats has to work on a daily basis with Marines facing legal reprimand.

• Date Taken: 07.11.2006
• Date Posted: 07.11.2006 16:24
• Story ID: 7155
• Location: AL TAQADDUM, IQ