Sorry, have not been able to access email from my computer until tonight.   Here's the story:

DAY 4– SEPTEMBER 16^TH:

Forgot to mention that the Colonel at Arifjan gave us beautiful framed certificates last night.  That’s always a really nice surprise and much appreciated.

Don’t even know where to start with the “events” of today because so much has happened.   First off, I think I “jinxed” myself.    I was so tired last night that I ended the Road Kill Report with the sentence about flying into Baghdad today.  We were not flying to Baghdad, we were flying to Balad….big difference.
So, got my 3 hours of sleep and hit the gym.  We had to be in the lobby at 10:30 for departure to the air terminal in Kuwait.   Everyone was ready and our escort for Iraq – Captain Chase Martin – met us for the ride to the airport.   Steve’s bag that went to Vienna finally arrived last night but our escort for Kuwait had the same problem we had “finding” the correct office to retrieve it from.   He was at the International Airport from about 9:30 until 2 am but he finally got it for him.  
Only had about a one hour wait in the passenger terminal before our C-130 arrived.   SUPER nice flight crew – Americans but stationed in Germany.  Also, Chely’s keyboard player has a cousin who is in the Air Force and stationed in Iraq.   He found out our schedule and was on the flight to see Lonnie.  We had a lot of other soldiers on the plane with us and one was from South America.   He VOLUNTEERED to serve in our army because he said it “looked like the kids needed some help over there”!   How wonderful is that?   Chely signed autographs for everyone on the plane and we sent the boys up two at a time to the flight deck.  I wanted to wait until we were landing because I knew it would be a combat landing and it’s much “easier” on the flight deck than in the windowless belly of the plane.  (Photo right:  The gentleman who "Volunteered" to serve in Iraq).
It was only a 1 ½ hour flight from Kuwait to Balad.   There are no toilets on the plane – just a “honey bucket” with a little half-door in front of it.  Definitely not made for the women to use.   I did get a photo of our pilot using it though.  J  -  Oh come on, you couldn’t see anything!  (Photo left:  Pilot "using it").
Anyway, I pace myself on drinking the water because I know there’s no toilet facilities.  Knew exactly how much I could drink in 1 ½ hours and not need to go.  About one hour into the flight, I was already sitting up on the flight deck when the crew said that there was a CODE RED at Anaconda (where we were going).  I know all about Code Red from my last visit there when the Camp got hit by mortars twice.   We were not going to be allowed to land and the plan was to circle for as long as we could on the fuel we had.   Our 1 ½ hour flight quickly became 2 ½ hours and then 3 and I really, really needed a toilet.  We were finally told that we had to go to Baghdad to land which was fine by me.   They have toilets in Baghdad.  They definitely had to do a combat landing and it was pretty awesome.   Don’t know how many “G’s” we pulled but it was a lot.   They were dropping and swerving for about 10 minutes.  Glad I was “up top”.  
When we landed, the flight crew was told that we could not deplane while they were refueling because we had now been cleared to fly into Anaconda.  Thankfully, they knew my situation and insisted on letting us get off the plane while it was being fueled.  One of the guys told me that he would have to walk me to the port-a-let.   I informed him that I had no intention of “walking” and if he could keep up with me, he was welcome to escort me.    He did a pretty good job of it but I beat him by several paces.  
Before we got back on the plane the pilot told me that the jet engine failed when we were landing.   He said he had just heard it start back up, which was a good sign. Glad I didn’t know that at the time!  He also asked me if I was going to sit up on the flight deck for take-off and I told him that I was going to let someone else have the experience since I’ve done it so many times.   His response was, “No, you WANT to sit up there with us”.   Don’t have to tell me twice.  Every man for himself.   After we took off, I knew why.  They let me stand beside them and the plane came very close to doing flips.  It was almost as bad as the helicopter rides but this was on a much larger scale.   I did let someone else sit up there for landing and it was pretty brutal down in the belly.   We found out that Anaconda had found several rockets right outside the fence line, set up and ready to launch.   That’s why they had shut down the base earlier that day.  They were unable to find the insurgents who placed them there.   But, you can imagine how cautious they were with out landing.   They dodged and weaved for what seemed like an hour but was actually only a few minutes.    We landed safely.  (Photo right:  Chely and her group with the flight crew).

When straight to the DFAC for dinner and saw several people that I had met on the tour in July.   Chely’s sound guy was needed a chiropractor and I mentioned this to the soldiers I was sitting with.  They were telling me that there was only one guy on base who did that and as they were speaking, he walked into the DFAC.   So we were able to arrange a visit tonight. 
Went to the internet café and base exchange after dinner.   I have to work on one of the “borrowed” computers since I can’t plug mine in.  Pretty frustrating but should only last for a couple of days.   As we were walking out of the internet café, our escort informed us that one or more of our bags had fallen OFF the truck that had our luggage on it.  No one seemed to know where the bags that had fallen off were taken.   Got back to our lodging and guess what?   My most important bag with all my clothes in it was missing.   I would have been a little more understanding if this same thing had not happened at this base during the last tour..  It took two days for them to retrieve it that time.
Jason (one of our escorts) was able to find it for me.  He said that it fell off the truck and someone spotted it on the side of the road.   They called it in and it had to be taken to the bomb squad.   If they thought it was suspicious, then they would not open it but would blow if up.  Great.  I had all kinds of camera, computer, cell phone chargers and adapters in the bag!   The people responsible for delivering it are paid really big money by Haliburton, so I didn’t see any humor in the situation.    So far, only found two things broken – a mirror and since they broke it, I assume they will have the 7 years of bad luck and my eye shadow.  It was a deep, sparkly purple color and it got on EVERYTHING!  Nice.  Everyone’s bags were absolutely COVERED with dust…except the one that fell off the truck and it was spotlessly clean.  Very strange.
At this time, the entire base is going to “Threat Com Delta” at midnight.   This is the highest threat level.   It also means that the exchange, gym, any buildings where large groups of soldiers congregate --- will be closed tomorrow.  Since we will then have to wear our helmets and flak vests at ALL times, I won’t be able to jog or work out in the gym.  The flak vests they gave us this time are much different.  These now have the “bullet proof shield” which adds about 10 pounds to the weight of the thing!
We were told that this is not just for Anaconda but for the entire theatre.  Our visit to the school where Gary Sinise started Operation Iraqi Children has been canceled.  That was going to be one of the highlights of the tour for me.  I am so disappointed but certainly understand that our safety comes first.   An even bigger concern is the fact that we may not be allowed to perform.,..here or anywhere else.   Again, they don’t want large groups of people amassing in any one spot.   We won’t know until tomorrow what the decision will be.  Chely is determined to give the guys a show if we have to run them in 5 at a time and sing them a song!
I don’t know what this new threat level means to our travel for the next few days either.   Am wondering if our entire tour is going to be “pulled” and we get sent back to the U.S.   I was warned that things were going to heat up over here because of the upcoming Presidential Election.   The insurgents do NOT want President Bush to be re-elected.
Told you it was an eventful day….can’t send this out until we leave Iraq, I suppose.
Jude
 

DAY FIVE – SEPTEMBER 17^TH:

Got up at 7 to exercise in my room but someone knocked on my door before I could get started.  It was Preston (Chely’s drummer) and he needed to borrow my hair dryer.  I asked him if he had a converter and he said the he had loaned his to Chely’s road manager.  So, I told him to just come in and dry his hair.   I walked into the other room and someone else knocked on the door.   Preston thought it was Chely, so he opened it.   Instead it was Jason (our escort) with a cup of coffee for me.  What a sweetheart!  I talked to him for a minute while Preston was drying his hair.   Then when I closed the door, it hit me!   There’s a man in my room drying his hair at 7 am.    We both started dying laughing because I’m sure Jason thought the worst!  Oh well, he probably just thinks that’s normal for the entertainers.   Actually, I felt compelled to tell him the truth.  Not sure he believed me, but at least I tried.  (Photo left:  Judy and Chely visit with the school kids and hand out "goodie bags").
We found out that we had NOT gone to Threat Com Delta and didn’t need to wear our flak vests and helmets all the time.   Also, I could have jogged OR gone to the gym, darn it!  Had breakfast and learned that the visit to the school was back on.   THAT definitely made my day.  They had to find BDU’s for me and Chely to wear and mine were quite a bit too big.   Was hoping my pants wouldn’t fall off at the school!  We had to go for a “briefing” before our “mission”.   Just to take us less than 5 miles outside the Camp, it took, 9 dedicated security, 11 escorts, 3 translators, and 6 additional military personnel (cameras/video, etc.) and a total of 6 armed vehicles.   I can now understand why we were not allowed to take the musicians with us.  School does not start back here until mid-October.  But they took us to the new school that our soldiers had built for the children in this one village (Al Salem school in Albu Hassan N.)   It’s a beautiful school and I know the children are going to enjoy it immensely.  It is shaped like a square with an open area in the middle.   They put Chely on one side to give away stuffed animals and I was on the other side giving out bags of school supplies.   The kids were brought in to us 3-4 at a time.   And, they were all adorable.   We saw all age groups from tiny babies in arms to teenagers.   We also met some of the school teachers.   Gary Sinise started this project (check it out at www.operationiraqichildren.org) and many of you reading this Road Kill Report have sent over supplies for this effort.  I can tell you from first hand experience that it is a huge success and was desperately needed.    I also met the interpreter who is Gary’s friend.   A few weeks ago, he was kidnapped and tortured because they found out he is helping the Americans. He said that now he must flee Iraq or he feels he will be killed.   It’s so sad!  He also said that if we pull out of Iraq now, it will be a sign of weakness on the part of America and that we will have another terrorist attack.  He talks about the attack in Spain and how this was done to sway the election.    He stayed with me while I was handing out the supplies and interpreted what the children said.   Some of the children can speak a little English and he said they will all be learning it in school now.   Lots of the kids had piercing blue eyes and he explained that the British ruled here in Iraq many years ago and the children are descendants of them.  I really wish we could do more for them.  I wonder what goes through their minds when these people come over to their homes, speak a strange language that they don’t understand, and give them incredible gifts.    I suppose when they grow up and their children are born in a free Iraq, they will be able to tell them about their lives before America liberated them from Saddam!  (Photo right:  Judy with some of the school kids).
The camera crew sent the footage out and made it available worldwide today.  Hopefully, someone will show the GOOD NEWS in America.  
Got back to lodging and went to the gym with Chely.   Our escort walked us in and told the lady behind the desk that we wanted to work out.  Everything would have been fine except that some guy who said the gym was “his” and he was a personal trainer decided to get involved.   He also informed me that there were men in the gym who had not seen women for a very long time and if they started bothering us, he was also a “bouncer” and he would take care of them.  Then he proceeded to “bother” Chely while she was trying to work out.  Wanted her to autograph photos and started telling other people that she was in the gym.  I finally had to explain to him that she had a very small window of opportunity to get in her workout and that she would autograph anything he wanted at the show tonight.
Back to the room to take a shower but had to help Chely figure out how to use her converter.   I was convinced I was going to blow up her room because I know NOTHING about electricity.  But we got my hairdryer working for her (popular piece of equipment, huh?).   Got in the shower and when I got out, someone knocked on my door.  I yelled out to find out who it was but no one answered.  Yelled again and a man asked if Jason was in my room (our escort).  Guess news about me and Preston traveled fast! J
Met a wrestler and former baseball star today who were here doing “handshake” visits for the troops.  Really nice guys.  (Photo left:  Rob Dibble, Chely, Diamond Dallas Page and Preston).
The theatre was absolutely packed with people tonight.  It was another fantastic show.   She did the “bumper sticker” song and brought the house down again.  She got another standing ovation and everyone was asking when it would be on radio.   She mentioned 50 Cent who was over here about a week ago.  The entire audience BOOED!   He definitely didn’t make any friends on that trip.  Have no idea why he even came over.  We were told that he was supposed to do a 2 hour show but only did 45 minutes.  Then he was “scared” and refused to sign any autographs.   Supposedly, his private jet didn’t arrive until 5 hours after the show but instead of visiting with the troops, he slept.  Since no one gets paid to come on these tours, I wonder WHY he even bothered to show up????
She signed autographs for 3 hours again.  Came back to lodging but I HAD to go check email.   It was so slow at times I just wanted to cry.  But finally, at 2:30 am, I finished up and started walking back – in the dark, by myself – to lodging.  Some guy followed me out of the internet cafe and started talking to me.  He was asking some pretty strange questions but I was trying to be nice because he was a soldier.  Then he asked if I wanted to make a little detour!  Good grief.   I assured him that I was not the least bit interested and that I would prefer to walk the rest of the way on my own!
Back at lodging and going to bed.  Have to get up in 3 hours so we can fly to Baghdad.  Performing in the International Zone tomorrow for the 57^th Anniversary of the Air Force.  So excited because I get to see my friend who is the 2 Star and my friend who is the MWR director in Baghdad. 

Jude

DAY 6 – SEPTEMBER 18^TH:

Up early to chopper to Baghdad.   The maid tried to come into my room to clean before 8 am and I wasn’t dressed.  I grabbed the door handle to keep her out and she keep yanking on the door even with me yelling, “not now”! 
Our choppers were waiting for us at the terminal and we had flight crews from Louisiana.  Really nice guys and girls, or course.  We had one helicopter just for passengers and two for all the gear.   I sat up front, by the door and our door wouldn’t close.  So, it was pretty breezy.   Our backpacks and helmets almost flew out.   The guys loved the ride – especially flying 60 feet off the ground and jumping power lines.  Really doesn’t bother me any more, Thank God.  (Photo right:  Chely pictured with the flight crew).
We landed in the International Zone on what seemed like a very small pad.  Looked like were going to sit down right on top of the palace.  Our escorts met us and took us into a palace to have dinner with the troops.  Then Chely went to the radio station and did about a one hour interview with them.   From there we went to the hospital to visit the wounded.   The first soldier we visited had lost his leg above the knee and had some serious injuries to the other leg.   He was so young and such a sweetheart.    He has a new daughter that he has never even seen.  His face lit up when he talked about getting to go home to see her again.   His only concern is whether or not he will get his prosthesis and be able to stay in the Army!   He actually teared up when he talked about not being able to serve any more.   He is a medic and was injured trying to help his buddies.    We went into ICU after visiting with him and the patient in there was the one whose life he saved.  Just an amazing visit.  (Photo left:  Chely visiting with wounded in Iraq hospital).
Came back to lodging only to find that Chely and I had been “bumped” out of our quarters by a visiting General.   They had put us both in the same room, sharing a bathroom, which does NOT work.  She needs her own space in order to get dressed.   Evidently, there was not another room available, so I went downstairs with the boys and am sharing their bathroom. 
Drove over for the show and it is the 57^th birthday of the Air Force.   We are only getting to perform in the International Zone because my friend, the Major General, make the request.  The general consensus has been that the soldiers in that area are “living large” because they have bars and swimming pools.   Forget that they are risking their lives every day and taking regular mortar hits!  They have not had any entertainment since a 20 minute visit from Jay Leno last Christmas.   There were some very, very appreciative guys and gals in the audience.  Of course, Chely’s new song was the hit of the show.  So many people have emailed my website about how much they are touched by the song.    After the show, she signed autographs for 3 hours while I visited with the General.  He introduced me to a retired General who told me that he had served for 50 year and NEVER saw any entertainment.   He thought Chely’s show was absolutely the best thing that could have happened for the soldiers.  Then he told me that he had flown in with us yesterday and I had run over his foot with my rolling bag.  When I learned that he was the reason we got “bumped” out of the quarters originally assigned to us, I figured it was poetic justice!  (Photo left:  Judy with Major General Steve Sargeant).
Got to see Jim Percy – the MWR rep in Baghdad – who is my long time, dear friend.  Saw lots of other people that I either met on the last tour or have know for quite some time.  Sure I’ll think of more things to say tomorrow.  Just too tired tonight.   May not have email access for a while again.  (Photo right:  Judy with Jim Pearcy, MWR Manager).

Jude

DAY 7 – SEPTEMBER 19^TH:

Told you I would forget some things!   Just too tired to think properly.  (Photo left:  Judy, Chely and Jan).
Okay, we also went to see the famous “crossed sabers” yesterday.  Took photos underneath them and then went up into the building where Saddam made all his “speeches”.  Went into his private dressing room (I stole some more marble) and stood out where the podium is located.   Drove under the 14^th of July Bridge en route back to the area where we are staying.
A permanent stage was built for our performance right in front of the swimming pool at the Republican Palace.  I’ve stayed in so many of his palaces now that I forget how impressed the guys are on the trip who have never been here.   We are staying in one called “Freedom Hall” and it has a huge pool out front where the guys were able to swim.   I brought my swimsuit and, of course, had NO time to swim!  (Photo right:  Chely and her group on stage at Camp Summerall).

Last night after the concert my friend who is the General showed me around the grounds and told me a little of history.   Right out behind the stage was this beautiful old tree and there was a swing hanging from the branches.  I got to swing in Saddam’s swing!  Somehow I doubt that he ever sat in it….  (Photo left:  Judy with the General's staff).
During the show a rocket when right overhead.  Most people did not see it and thankfully, it was a dud! Before our performance, there was a ceremony honoring the Air Force for their 57^th birthday and they had a huge cake.   Also had what looked like a really nice buffet but I never got to eat.   About 11 p.m., I had popcorn with the General and I think that was his “dinner” as well. 
Helicopters were waiting for us this morning and it was a LONG flight from Baghdad to Summerall…about 1 hour and 15 minutes.   The seats are so hard and the doors are open, so everyone is just beat to death with the wind.
Landed at Summerall.   This is the camp where I had Chalee and Danni perform in July.  It is the most remote Camp we will visit this tour and I begged to be able to come back and perform for these guys.   This is the Camp where the Commander put a teddy bear on our beds last time.  So, this time, he has gone ALL out!   He turned the room where we were last time into a “suite” for Chely. 
There is a leather sofa and chair and a dresser with a huge mirror, armoire, little frig, flowers everywhere, big screen tv and DVD player  and a real bed.   Unbelievable that he could accomplish this in Iraq.  And, I have the “Penthouse”..all the way up at the top of the building.  Have to take photos of it because they really made it into a pretty room.   Have drapes all the way around the walls.  But, get this….they put a Port-a-Potty on the roof so we don’t have to walk all the way out in the yard.  And, it’s much cleaner than the ones that the guys use!  (Photo right:  Judy, Commander Kyle McClelland and Chely in their "Penthouse").

We had a great briefing about what the Camp does each day and saw a video.  Then Chely, Jan, Eric and I were supposed to go visit the children in a local village and then tour Uday’s bombed out palace.  But Chely was worried about her vocals because she hasn’t had much sleep, so she took a nap.  The three of us went with about six armored humvees and soldiers.  The village is very close to the Camp and it was really sad.  They don’t have any running water.   The Army just recently gave them some money to build some dumpsters for trash.   It was pretty nasty and didn’t smell great!   But the kids were adorable.   More than 100 came out to get the free soccer balls, footballs, and stuffed animals.   I took tons of photos and had an interpreter that helped me talk to them.  Must have stayed for an hour with them.  (Photo right:  Raising the port-a-potty to the roof for Chely and Judy).
We drove for quite a while up to Uday’s Palace and it was totally bombed out.  We were able to go inside and walk up this staircase that was treacherous.  I had to hang on to a soldier to get up and down it.  The view from the top was spectacular.  I felt like a “homeless” person scavenging for food!   Got lots more marble, a smoke detector plate, half of a light switch cover, and a white rag that looked like it had been there when the palace was bombed.  (Photo right:  Spiral staircase inside Uday's Palace).
The “boys” in the band got to go out and shoot the weapons (live ammunition) and ride on the tanks, so they were happy!  We also brought them back a piece of marble from the palace.
We had to travel to the palace on Highway One.  This is the highway we traveled so many times this past December between Tikrit and Mosul….a very dangerous stretch of road.  There have been lots of RPG/IED attacks along this road.   As we were leaving the road to the palace and about to turn on the main highway, we noticed a truck overturned.  We stopped on the road above it and all our escorts got out of the humvees.  They wanted to make sure that it wasn’t an IED and if not, that the people in the truck were okay.   They talked to the three men that were standing beside the truck and determined that everything was okay.  (Photo left:  Judy and Jan).
Show was held inside a hangar and there was a great crowd.  I got to see my Special Forces buddies that I met here last time.  Great guys from Ft. Campbell, KY.   Chely got another standing ovation from the “bumper” song.   She signed autographs for about 2 hours tonight.  (Photo right:  Chely performing).
We have a very early call tomorrow….bags out at 8 am.  Can’t believe our last show is tomorrow night!

Jude
 

DAY 8th– SEPTEMBER 20^TH
Knew I would forget something important.  At the show last night at Camp Summerall, several local “dignitaries” were in attendance.   One gentleman was a “Sheik” and he was smitten with Chely.  Says he has two wives and wanted her to be the third.  He took off this huge gold ring and gave it to her.  I think they are married….  (Photo left:  Chely receiving a ring from a Sheik).

JUDE

Ya'll are my heros!  You made so many folks happy in Iraq i can't begin to count them all - halls in the palace are alive with thank you to you all!!!!