OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON Blog # 4 Well since I last wrote I have had a lot going on. I bribed my way out of Kuwait and all it cost me was 3 pizzas. I would of given anything to get out of there. Jason the 300# cowboy costs me more then that when I am home so it was not a big deal. When you’re here you fly “Space available”. Meaning if there are a couple open seats on a flight to a city that they are sending troops to, you get on. If not you don’t and you wait. But that changes min by min and hour by hour. You could be confirmed and at the last min they tell you sorry. Some people in Kuwait have been waiting a week to get out. I arrived at roll call at 2:30am and was in the air by 7:30. Only a 5 hour wait not bad for the Army. When I arrived on the runway I was amazed at the size of the plane. It was a C-17 and it was HUGE! You could drive tanks into this thing. I asked if I could see the cockpit and was told that I could. I made a joke to the pilots that my ticket stub showed I was sitting up there with them and there must be some sort of mistake. They invited me to sit up there for the flight to Baghdad. When the Capt told me I could I was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out and tell me I was being PUNKED. It was so interesting to hear air traffic control and have the best view possible, not to mention the seats were bullet proof. The back of the plane you just take your chances. When I landed in Baghdad I had people waiting for me to take me to the 1171st Medical unit out of Detroit. They are based at Camp Victory in Baghdad. The camp is huge. Just over 20 square miles. It was Saddam’s hunting preserve and vacation spot. Man made lakes, boating, fishing and huge plush houses. I don’t want to call them palaces but they were close to it in size. Saddam had 23 palaces around Baghdad and one was here. Also this is where one of his sons was killed. Saddams sons both had two huge places on the lake. Plus a house they had built just for the prostitutes they kept. I wanted to take pictures of them but it was not allowed. I think the CIA or someone like that uses it for headquarters. There were wild birds by the thousands. I guess Saddam liked to hunt birds and had lots of habitat there for them. The 1171st Medical Unit was a hunting lodge Saddam used and now is a medical center. I was shocked at how pretty and beautiful it was there. In a way it was very peaceful. Lakes and Canals everywhere you looked. I was told that if you were an Iraqi and caught fishing Carp out of the lake Saddam killed you. If you like carp so much Saddam come to Michigan we have plenty for you. YUCK. The guys from the 1171st Medical were so great. I passed out MP3 players, phone cards and Tigers hats. I brought two American Flags from home they flew over the unit for me. I will be bringing those home for sure and hanging one up in the studio. Sgt Lewis and Lt Squires took me everywhere. But best of all it was nice to see people from home. I know they felt the same way. I will miss them but it was time to move on to downtown Baghdad. Once again get the body armor on. This time it was only a 3 hour wait for a 10 min helicopter ride. When the Blackhawk helicopter landed it was completely black. Not a light on it. Everyone uses night vision glasses. It’s easier not to get shot at. We took in a matter of minutes we were in the air. Next thing I see are red and green bright flares coming from the back. Either we were shot at or a radio frequency set off the flares. I asked when I got off what happened and was told it was classified. It was a little crazy but I am still ok. Now I get off one Blackhawk and get on another for a ride to Fallujah. Once again the machine gunners hanging off the side looking for the insurgents. Not the job I would want to have. It’s an easy 20 min ride and the next thing I know we are at Camp Fallujah. I know a good night’s sleep will make my life a lot easier. I am really excited to meet the guys from the 1st battalion 24th Marine regiment. They are out of Detroit and patrol the city of Fallujah. I will be with them for the next four days and this will be my new home. Before I go I just want to tell you that everyone I have met over here wants to be here. They love what they do and are proud of it. We in the media talk about the negative and all the bad things that are going on. I will tell you first hand they are doing so much for the people of Iraq. They are helping rebuild roads, schools and set up businesses. Did you know the Marine Corp also helps business set up? They do so much and they are always working. Unlike me! Ha Ha These guys are the real heroes. It’s been an honor to meet and talk to each one of them. I am lying in my sleeping bag typing this. I think all of us take for granted how good we have it. At anytime if you think we don’t, I invite you to come stay here for a week and see what real sacrifice is. I don’t think I could do it. Live here and be shot at everyday. Could you? Just a while ago 3 policeman died in town. Yesterday some here at the camp was killed when a mortar was lobbed over. But in reality I don’t have to because there are men and women that do it for me and for you. The next time you see anyone from the Armed forces thank them. Just say “THANK YOU”. They will understand. I really miss everyone from home and miss the show. Its going to be a long day tomorrow so I need some sleep. Goodnight from Fallujah. Grunwald

What you are doing is amazing. When you get back home-beers are on me!

tell everyone there that we love them and are thankful for what they are doing?

I think it is so important that you tell everyone what the our soliders are doing because the media talks how terrible it is there and that they don't want us there. I think the US Military are the greatest and keep on with all the good work you do andTHANK YOU

Thank you steve for blog # 4. My husband is stationed at camp moreell in kuwait. And to read you were near there and what it is lie is awsome. Lisa Fredericksen

I'am in Camp Victory my sister sent me the link. I wish I had known you were coming I would have come to see you, I' am a civlian taking care of the men and women who defend our country.

Make sure and keep yourself safe. Let eeryone over there know that we greatly appreciate everything they are doing.

it was nice drive steve and LT Squiers we had afull day LT Squires have plenty of pics of steve i hiope you post most of them. i realy want to say thank you Jason and the others that took the ribon to my wifes work and let them see and sing the ribon.and that you jerri love ya see you all in a few months SGT Benjamin.Lewis 1171st ASMC Baghdad Iraq

You are truly an amazing person. Stay safe and God Bless!!!!

I just wanted to say Thank you Grunwald. What you are doing is the most amazing thing in the world. My brother is over in Iraq and I pray everyday he will come home. This means alot to anyone that has family or friends over in Iraq. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Be safe and come home soon!!

I just want to say thanks to all of you brave men and women and their families for the sacrifices that you are making in order to protect the Iraqi people and help them proceed to learn how to live in a place with freedom and a chance of free choice and peace,etc. I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE ON YOU. YOU WILL CERTAINLY BE ON MY MIND THIS THANKSGIVING DAY! Dodi Pearsall, New Hudson, MI

I served in the Army 20 years ago. I was lucky, no wars, no combat, no fear. I thank God and pray everyday for the men and women who are there now. Thank you Steve for letting evreyone know how it is there and for letting them know we care and love them.

How often we take what we have for granted. Thank you for the eye opener. Keep yourself safe and keep spreading the love to all that are there. All my prayers are with you and our soldiers putting their life on the line daily and their famlies back athome that are making the scarifice right along with them. We, as a nation, are truly BLESSED! Donna from Garden City

Steve...after reading your blog, it took me back to the 1970's when my husband was stationed in Morocco. I was able to be with him and we went through one of the several assination attempts on the king's life. It was frightening to look out your window and watch Moroccan tanks and military matching down the streets...so, I can relate to your experience in Iraq. Stay safe and tell all our troops how we love and respect them all. Elizabeth Gould

Thanks Steve for going over and letting the troops know that we are thinking about them.

Thank you for doing this tour. You are really descriptive in your blogs - your writing makes me feel like I am right there with you. Have you had a chance to talk to any of the locals there? Are you allowed to? Keep the blogs coming (as well as the pictures) and let everyone there know that they are appreciated!!! Take care and stay safe - Kim :-)

I had just read that there was a kidnapping at the Research Institute. I'm praying for your safety. Words can not express what you must see day to day. God bless. Jennifer (almont)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for relating the fact they want to be there, love what they are doing, proud of what they are doing. The media continues to focus on the negative while the troops are making positive changes to Iraq. Thanks for showing them the respect they deserve. Thank them all for having the unselfish soul and heart of a soldier. They are our true American heroes!

Grundwald...first I want to say Thank You for what you are doing and Thanks for this last blog because it has made me realize the things that I take for granted in my life. I just started about a month ago writing to a Soldier over in Iraq and planning on sending some packages to different troops over in Iraq. I love what you're doing. Take care of yourself and tell everyone over there that they are in our hearts and prayers. Stay Safe!!

Most people don't realy appreciate what they have until you go someplace where your luck to have water. The pictures are great keep them coming, and the blogs, god bless you and keep you safe.

Steve, What a awesome job you are doing over there. Please thank the troops for all they are doing over there. We are so proud of them.The media just shows so much negative and never what a awesome job are troops are doing. God Bless, Keep Safe Sherry

Thank you Steve for doing this :) Our men and women deserve to know that we support and care about them back here at home, just as it is important for us to know that they are happy to be where they are and doing this. You are truly a wonderful person Steve!!

To our heros -- thank you -- You are always in our hearts and prayers.

Steve, may God keep you safe along with all of the men and women over there! Freedom is definitely not "free"!!! America needs to support our troops no matter what!! You are awesome for doing this for them!! I hate that I did not get a chance to sign the ribbon but I pray for them each and every day!! God Bless you and keep safe!!! Becky

I can't imagine the feeling this has givin you let alone all of our troops! I know your mother is so proud of you as we all are here!You have touched a lot of peoples hearts! Come home safe, Terri

Thanks for going over there and reminding us civilians that what our military is doing for us to keep us safe.

Our men and women are so far away from us and it makes it difficult. I appreciate you opening the eyes of others. Maybe now they will understand how I feel day in and day out wondering about my fiance over there.

ty for sharing your blogs , it will open peoples eyes to know what our troops actually do over there. thx for letting them know they are thought of and prayed for everyday. my daughter a marine stationed over there. be safe steve and keep up the good work. god bless u and our troops .

Steve thank you for giving us a true prospective of what our troops are going thru day after day. I just received a letter from a soldier who was surprised at mail call by my letter. He said that it just made his day. I just got done putting together care packages for one of our CSH. Take Care and Stay Safe. Julie

Thank you and God Bless you all. All of our military personnel deserve all of our respect, thanks and praise. You are always in my prayers. Steve, stay safe and thank you for bringing this small but significant symbol of support to everyone you can. They are all heroes in my eyes. Tracy - Allen Park

Steve:please let all the troops know we're very proud of them. Keep safe Bill-Berkley Viet-Nam vet 67-68

God Bless each and everyone over there. My sister in law is in Iraq with a medical reserve unit from Minnesota-we love and miss our family members but are so proud of each and every one of them!! Denise