Photo By Kyle Richardson | Jennifer Winderstrom, "Phoenix", drinks water after a game of power ball during a...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson
11th Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq – "Take your positions," yelled the announcer through the loud speaker. "Gladiators, are you ready? Contenders, are you ready?"
As the first two Soldiers take their positions behind the barriers, the crowd erupts with cheers for the beginning of the assault course, the first game of the evening, at a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation sponsored event held at the Main Fitness Center located on Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 4, 2008.
Nearly 200 Soldiers and civilians from Logistical Support Area Diamondback and FOB Marez came to the gym to see the Gladiators from the television show "American Gladiators."
Soldiers interacted with the Gladiators in three popular events, modified for the deployed environment; power ball, assault and tug-of-war.
David Leroy Culley, lead MWR technician, said this event produced the largest indoor turnout this year.
"There are a lot of folks that invested some time into this, made some exceptions in their schedules," said Culley.
Five of the 17 stars from "American Gladiators," Mike O'Hearn, "Titian"; Jennifer Widerstrom, "Phoenix"; Corinne Van Ryck De Groot, "Panther"; Alex Castro, "Militia"; and Beth Horn, "Venom," visited Soldiers from FOB Marez and LSA Diamondback.
The Gladiators are touring and performing at select American bases to show their support and appreciation for the Soldiers deployed to Iraq.
"It's mind-blowing to come out here and perform for the Soldiers," said Titian, who is from Kirkland, Wash. "I'm still taking it in. It's just one of those things. I'm not out here fighting, you guys are. It's just a real honor for me to be out here."
Titian stated he was going to continue to train for his next trip to Iraq.
"I think somebody scored on me. I have to come back out now. That doesn't happen to Titian," he said.
The Soldiers were just as receptive of having the Gladiators there as the Gladiators were to be there.
"It's pretty awesome that they came out here to support us and support the troops," said Fort Bragg, N.C. native Staff Sgt. Fredrick Hinton with Field Support Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. "I think it's a great thing. We're going to have fun tonight."
Hinton had a chance to face his advisories and talk a little trash before the show.
"I think we can take them," Hinton said. "I'm a little nervous but I think we can take them. I'm just trying to make it alive and not get sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in the middle of the night."
After being on the road for less than three days, the Gladiators gained a newfound respect for deployed Soldiers.
"It's so fun, you know, we're everyday people, and you guys are protecting us and our families," said Panther, originally from Guyana. "We don't get the real deal of what's going on and sometimes as a nation, we get desensitized. Oh, thousands here and thousands there, but when you really meet the people individually, it is thousands of everyday people that are no longer with their families and we really need to recognize that and really respect that."
"You guys are the true American Gladiators, the true super heroes," said Chicago native Venom. "I thank everybody for sacrificing so much, I really appreciate that."
After the three events, the Gladiators made time for group photos and autographs.
As the show came to a conclusion, the last of the pictures was taken and the Gladiators turned to the remaining Soldiers to bid farewell and made their way to their bus.
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2008 04:16 |
| Story ID: | 24554 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 579 |
| Downloads: | 389 |
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