U.S. Troops In Iraq Get Beer For Super Bowl
By Wyatt Earp | January 9, 2009
U.S. marines stand guard during the hand over ceremony of the Green Zone in Baghdad January 1, 2009. U.S. forces came under an Iraqi mandate on Thursday for the first time since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and handed control of the Green Zone in central Baghdad to Iraqi troops in a symbol of the dramatic change.
Fantastic news. It’s great to see the troops get a little reward for everything they have done over there. They have more than earned it.
BAGHDAD — American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year’s Super Bowl — an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.
In what is sure to be a major morale boost, the top U.S. commander in Iraq Gen. Raymond Odierno issued a waiver Wednesday paving the way for troops to participate in the popular American football tradition.
Super Bowl XLIII will kick off on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Florida, but it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the live broadcast starts in Iraq. Troops will gather in dining halls on military bases nationwide to watch the game.
While we’re at it, maybe General Odinero could try and wrangle some surf and turf for the troops, too? I mean, what’s the sense of a party if you can’t go full bore?
A copy of the waiver said the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be limited to Feb. 1-2 and service members can only have two, 12-ounce beers each.
Odierno also appeared to acknowledge the sensitivity of drinking alcohol in an Islamic country, particularly considering the game falls during a holy period for Iraq’s majority Shiite Muslims. (H/T – FOXNews)
Luckily for us, the Super Bowl is a holy period for Americans as well. Heh.
Topics: The Troops | 12 Comments »
January 9th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Two 12oz beers???? What a teeze. I need 4 just to get warmed up.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
When we were in Saudi I thought we couldn’t have beer because of the King, but I find it interesting that the French had their wine the entire time – and fought well, too. What was that about a Nanny State? Does that transfer to Commanders that can’t control drunks?
January 9th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Good for them!!!
January 9th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Wagonsux – Yeah. We know!!!
Earl – Apparently not. The wine fact is interesting, though. I figured alcohol is alcohol.
Sully – Agreed.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
No group deserves it more.
“To your health and long life”
January 9th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Yaaaaay! If anyone deserves a drink – it’s these guys!
Cheers! I toast their success!
January 9th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
It may only be 2 beers, but at least they are getting some. What they really need, over there, is a good old fashion tailgate party.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Mare – Salu’!
Dinah – Agreed. A great perk for some great people.
E.L. – Great idea. A big barbecue with all the fixins.
January 10th, 2009 at 7:14 am
They deserve it more than me.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Time difference 8 hours between Baghdad and Tampa Bay. Game starts 6 pm. Baghdad will be 2 a.m.
That’s a relief, the sun will be over the yardarm (somewhere!)
Go ahead chaps!!
January 10th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
The Marshall said:
“While we’re at it, maybe General Odinero could try and wrangle some surf and turf for the troops, too? I mean, what’s the sense of a party if you can’t go full bore?”
Why not invite the enemy over and go “full boar”?
Superbowl, beer, great company, pig roast – maybe they will realise what they are missing …
January 13th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Sorry I didn’t get ’round to spotting this post ’til now!
Nice sentiment but bad, bad idea. I mean… damn. Really stupid idea. The General’s been out in the sun without his hat I think.