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Nov 1, 2009 8:55 pm US/Central
Minn. Troops, Don Shelby Watch Vikes Game In Iraq
BASRA, Iraq (WCCO) ―
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"This is a little piece of home. There's so much Viking fans back here. This takes our mind away from the day-to-day drudgery of what we do," said Lt. Col. Steven Hansen, Battalion Commander.
CBS
WCCO-TV anchor Don Shelby and Photojournalist Tom Aviles arrived in Basra, Iraq Sunday by Blackhawk helicopter.
They are there to report on the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division, also known as the "Red Bulls."
Earlier Sunday they watched the Vikings-Packers game with the Red Bulls. But because of the time difference, it was a very late game in Iraq.
When soldiers are far from home they do little things to bring some comfort, and to touch some of the things they are missing from home.
In World War II, troops kept pictures like Rita Hayworth and Ted Williams on their walls. Now, the big-screen television is wall-mounted, and Sunday night was the Packers and Vikings in Iraq.
Members of the 34th Infantry Division, used to slogging it out in battles across the globe, take time out for a different battle -- a border battle. For that night, and only that night, the Minnesota didn't seem so very far away.
Members of the Division, most from Minnesota, gathered at a big tent on the base at a spot called Holy Joe's, where a Chaplain's Assistant was the cheerleader in chief.
The horseplay is a welcome relief from the constant threat against the base here southern Iraq. The Minnesota-based 34th Infantry Division National Guard unit is in command of half of the country.
"This is a little piece of home. There's so much Viking fans back here. This takes our mind away from the day to day drudgery of what we do," said Lt. Col. Steven Hansen, Battalion Commander.
It seems to work, but in all battles there are two sides, and poor Spc. Scott Morfitt from Eau Claire, Wis. is, for tonight, the single-handed enemy.
"You know I kind of empathize with Favre today. He's in a rough room and I might be in a rougher room," said Spc. Morfitt.
Then the Vikings scored again, to Scott's dismay, but not to Command Sgt. Major Doug Wortham.
"Doing what we do, it's emotionally draining. I would say that it's very important, especially during the season now, so we've got one night a week where we're just able to forget about that and just recharge those batteries," said Command Sgt. Major Wortham.
When the Vikings pulled out another win, the crowd in Basra was ecstatic.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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