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Soldiers rock to First Team band

By Sgt. Mary Phillips, 30th HBCT PAO, MND-BJune 30, 2009

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Guitarist Sgt. Jason Smelser (left), of Killeen, Texas, and bassist Staff Sgt. Dennis Milne, of Rockford, Ill., with the 1st Calvary Division Army Rock Band, jam at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah June 23. The band, known as G.O....
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Guitarist Sgt. Jason Smelser (left), of Killeen, Texas, and bassist Staff Sgt. Dennis Milne, of Rockford, Ill., with the 1st Calvary Division Army Rock Band, jam at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah June 23. The band, known as G.O.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Drummer Staff Sgt. Rudy Rendon, of Uvalde, Texas, of the 1st Calvary Division Army Rock Band, sings during their show at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah, June 23. The band, known as G.O. 1 Underground, plays for Soldiers in Iraq ...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Drummer Staff Sgt. Rudy Rendon, of Uvalde, Texas, of the 1st Calvary Division Army Rock Band, sings during their show at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah, June 23. The band, known as G.O. 1 Underground, plays for Soldiers in Iraq ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Sgt. 1st Class Mary Dangerfield (left), of Broadway, N.C., and Senior Airman Greg Jones, of Columbus, Miss., with the 732nd Expeditionary Security Force Squadron, Detachment 2, dance together during a concert put on by the 1st Calv...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Sgt. 1st Class Mary Dangerfield (left), of Broadway, N.C., and Senior Airman Greg Jones, of Columbus, Miss., with the 732nd Expeditionary Security Force Squadron, Detachment 2, dance together during a concert put on by the 1st Calv... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGHDAD - Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah had a chance to Aca,!A"lose themselves in the musicAca,!A? and escape from their troubles, if only for a little while, thanks to G. O. 1 Underground, the 1st Calvary DivisionAca,!a,,cs Army Rock Band.

G.O. 1 Underground came to the FOB, June 23, and put on a concert for the Soldiers living there.

Spc. Daniel Thompson, of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 113th Field Artillery, was one of those who gathered in front of the stage well before the show started.

Aca,!A"It gives you a little bit of home,Aca,!A? said Thompson, of Jacksonville N.C. Aca,!A"Where I live I go to concerts all the time.Aca,!A?

G.O. 1 Underground played non-stop for about 2 1/2 hours. All the members of the band were enjoying themselves just as much as the Soldiers watching them.

Aca,!A"It is great that the Army has given me the opportunity,Aca,!A? said Spc. Chris Rettig, lead vocals for the band. Aca,!A"I get to do what I love and help other Soldiers at the same time.Aca,!A?

The Army rock band travels to FOBs all over Iraq, trying to raise the spirits of the Soldiers and help keep up morale.

Aca,!A"We try to travel to the places where Soldiers donAca,!a,,ct usually get music or USO tours,Aca,!A? said Rettig, of Defiance, Ohio.

Having G. O. 1 Underground come out and play for the Soldiers helps life on the FOB seem a little more normal and the band loves doing it.

Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs great to be able to come out here,Aca,!A? said Rettig, Aca,!A"and to be able to help people relieve the stress from their everyday job.Aca,!A?

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