Members of public affairs unit celebrate return home from Iraq

[Barrett808]

Off assignment
Members of public affairs unit celebrate return home from Iraq
By CHRIS WETTERICH
STAFF WRITER

Threatened by bullets, mortar attacks and suicide bombings while trying to bring home good news about the U.S. presence in Iraq and the soldiers' stories, a few members of the Army National Guard's 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment started a rock radio station.

Spc. Justin Savage, 24, of Roscoe and Staff Sgt. Rian Jopek, 40, of Madison, Wis., obtained a 1,000-watt transmitter, and Jopek became the "Mouth of Mosul," introducing Iraq to the likes of AC/DC and Judas Priest.

"We played everything from Green Day to Bowling for Soup," Jopek said, "mixed with Arabic press releases."

...

"We were media facilitators," said Savage. "We acted as crew for the networks, running camera sometimes for CNN and Fox News. We also linked people to their families."While the unit's job was public relations, it faced its share of danger and close calls, Savage said.

...

"The international media has proven to be an extreme disappointment," said Capt. Angela Bowman. "They go looking for bad news. There's been a lot of growth and development and development of infrastructure. Contrary to what you hear, the people of Iraq really appreciate what we're doing there."

Morale continues to be high, and the troops in general feel like they are fighting for a good cause, said Jopek, who was once a disc jockey and newsman for several small radio stations in Wisconsin. "American troops are dedicated to make sure it (a democratic Iraq) happens," he said. "But I think ultimately how long it takes remains to be seen."

(more)

http://www.sj-r.com/Sections/News/Stories/46026.asp

[Redstone]

1. I'm laughing so hard, I can't breathe!

"Contrary to what you hear, the people of Iraq really appreciate what we're doing there."

I see: they just love it when we turn their cities into rubble, murder them in their cars and houses, and kill their kids.

They just pick up the bodies and say, "Hey, thanks, America!"

That's just the way they are, you know.

Redstone