I am pretty sure that throughout my lifetime I will have but few great experiences. We have all had good school years, an exciting summer love, a truly amazing trip with our friends. But when it comes to life changing, perspective twisting, head spinning moments I am convinced the human being can only take a handful of adjustments over the course of our years. Think about it. Throughout your life can you truly pinpoint more than one moment in which you remember being changed forever? Consciously witnessing your life taking a new road onto which you have never been and from which you will never return. Sounds exaggerated, right? Our USO tour of Kuwait and Iraq changed my life forever.

We arrived in Kuwait on Sunday evening, went to our hotel and were reminded immediately by an incredibly friendly hotel staff to check out the framed photos displayed on the wall of what the hotel looked like after Saddam invaded Kuwait in 1990-91. It was completely destroyed from inside out. I understood why they seemed to push us to view the pictures. The hotel had been rebuilt beautifully and stood as a testament to the will of the Kuwaiti people. This was a perfect way to begin our journey. What was once destroyed had risen again with distinction, class, and pride. The group got together for dinner, had some laughs, then off to sleep. The next day we would be playing a show at the base in Kuwait.

We all know men and women in the service, but until you are invited to join their daily lives it is difficult to understand what drives them to do what they do. Over the course of the next few days I would see that it isn't only the cause they fight for, but the people they fight along side of. Some of the best times we had were in the DFAC (dining facility). We got to talk to folks face to face. I met a girl from Charleston, South Carolina who was at our show this summer just prior to her deployment. Her boyfriend was stationed in Iraq. Two of her brothers were in Iraq and her parents had both served in the Army as well. Who says a sorority girl from South Carolina can't be a bad ass and true patriot? I ran into an old friend from college who used to sit next to me in Sociology class and has since been in the service. That was crazy. I recognized him from twenty feet away and the ten years since our last class just slipped away as we talked football, marriage, and kids.

The show that night was very different from anything we had ever done. The audience was incredibly polite, on edge, like they wanted to let loose but had too many things keeping their minds at the ready. By the end of the show, however, we felt right at home. I wish I could properly describe the feelings I had that night. A small part of me felt pride, but mostly I was completely humbled to be among our country's finest. From that night on I felt a part of something greater than any one of us. Again, it isn't the war.

We woke early the next morning, and every morning after that, hopped on a C-130 airplane and began our flight into Iraq. We experienced our first combat landing on our arrival to Kirkuk, Iraq. This would turn out to be the longest day of our lives. Fortunately we were joined for this portion of the tour by Master Sergeant and others that must remain nameless who were our security detail and guides. We attended a memorial service for 14 fallen soldiers and saw an entire base come to pay their respects to their brothers. We are thankful to have been invited by some the rest of their unit whom we met that night. It was so packed that we could not get into the actual service area so we were taken to visit the hospital on base. After touring EMEDS (hospital) and getting to know the staff (who, by the way, must be angels right here on Earth) we hopped into our little shuttle bus ready to go to our next stop. As we sat in the bus a siren blared over the base. We were shuffled off the bus and into the supply room at EMEDS to wait it out. For the next two hours we witnessed the aftermath of a daytime rocket attack on the base in which one soldier was killed and two were wounded. The nurses rushed in and out of the supply room reassuring us of our safety as they took care of the wounded. Eventually, we were allowed to leave and took with us a new understanding of what life was actually like in Iraq. The show went on as planned. I think everyone there needed a break from reality.

The next day we went to the base at Tikrit. This was Saddam's hometown and right near the spot the U.S. found him hiding in a hole. We visited the soccer stadium made infamous for being the spot for public executions. There was definitely a dark cloud hanging over that place and I felt for the first time a great pride in the destruction the United States brought to that stadium. After the events of the previous day we had a very clear view of what our purpose was there. We wanted to make sure we thanked each and every person we met, experience as much of this place as we could, and do whatever it took to take them away from it with our shows. We were honored to visit the Wolfpack that day. These folks were the home of the Apache helicopters you hear so much about. They definitely earn their fame. We also went to the hospital on base and met a soldier who had been seriously injured by an RPG the night before. He reenlisted the day we were there. After his injury. I forgot about everything I had bitched about in my life. This guy was dedicated and we all admire his commitment. The concert that night was amazing. As I looked out at the audience I saw at least ten new friends I had made that day. How often can you say you really found a new friend. Someone you will always remember.

Our next and final stop in Iraq was Balad. This base is known as home to the best hospital facility over there. Our visit to it was what solidified this trip as life changing. Upon our arrival we were shown the landing area for the medical helicopters. Spirits were high as we gazed upon the powerful helos up close. We then walked into the emergency room and a true reality check. As real as it gets. The teams were treating two youths for gunshot wounds. We noticed their eyes were blindfolded and upon asking why, we were told these were EPW's (Enemy Prisoners of War). You see, our doctors and nurses over there treat EVERYONE. These kids were involved in building IED's and were shot during a firefight. The Marines in the fight brought them in to be treated. We don't hear about that back here. These hospitals are packed with heroes. Next we visited the ward that was full of soldiers, Iraqi civilians, and one EPW. I met the father of an Iraqi six year old boy named Hassan who had been shot three times from stray bullets. He explained how the American doctors had saved his life. I met an Indian man who was blown up on the job. Missing two legs, an eye, and suffering multiple wounds he explained that this was God's plan for him. The soldiers were equally optimistic in the face of their injuries. I talked to these folks and couldn't help but feel a sense of amazement with their outlook. Back home we complain about the weather or problems with our houses or relationships. These folks are not complaining. They are ready to live. Writing this makes me wish I was there. I have never been more inspired in my life than when we were talking to people in Iraq both injured and healthy.

I could go on for hours. This trip changed my life. The men and women over there serving this country are heroes. I don't care how many times you hear that phrase. It fits. They will tell you they are just doing their job. We should remind them just how much we appreciate their sacrifice. They want to help the great people of Iraq live in a free and safe society. They want to take care of their brothers and sisters in the service. And they deserve whatever help we can provide. I want to thank the USO for making this happen for us. It was truly the trip of a lifetime.