Mach5: Rollins concert in Iraq
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Mach5: Rollins concert in Iraq
Rolling with Henry Rollins
by Sgt. Greg Heath
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Dec. 8, 2003) -- Hundreds of
fans packed Bagram Civic Center to see hardcore rock icon Henry Rollins
Dec. 7 as part of his USO-sponsored tour to visit service members
deployed overseas.
Rollins, former front man of legendary 80’s punk pioneers Black Flag
and currently lead singer of Rollin’s Band, as well as record company
executive, publisher, writer, actor, and spoken word performer, took
time from his schedule to bring a message of support from home for
American service members here in Afghanistan.
“Everyone (at home is) on the same page in that we love our troops, in
that we want them home in one piece ASAP; even though we may disagree
on other things, we’re all watching you and hoping for your safe
return,” Rollins said to the energized crowd.
During his daylong visit, Rollins visited soldiers in Kabul and Bagram
Air Base and had an opportunity to walk around and meet hundreds of
service members where they live and work.
He shared his thoughts and reflections on some of things he saw during
the day while talking to the service members gathered to see him at the
civic center.
One thing that especially made an impression on him was at the Medical
Task Force-44 Combat Support Hospital, when he went into the intensive
care ward and saw the many Afghan patients whose lives were saved
because of the medical treatment they received by American
servicemembers.
“In America, on the news, we see the exclamation points about this
whole thing, casualties, helicopter crashes, because it makes for good
news and it’s very important when we lose all those people; but what we
never hear about, what I’ve found out today, are all the good things
that are happening to this country because of all of you that are
here,” Rollins expressed to the crowd. “I’m about to start of 50 or 60
speaking dates all across America and by the time I’m done with them
they’ll all know what I saw, so you can count on me for that.”
After speaking to the crowd, Rollins signed autographs and took
pictures with service members late into the night. Although he was
tired and suffering from jet lag, he stayed until the very last service
member had left the building.
“To have someone come over here like him, it’s like for a couple of
minutes you’re back home again,” said Pfc. Ethan Kreutzer, 3rd
Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment. Kreutzer said he’s a huge
fan of Rollins’ music and spoken word material.
Many of the service members were impressed with how “down to earth”
Rollins was during his visit.
“I thought it was really cool that somebody like him could take time
out of his schedule to come visit us out here,” said Spc. Nicole Ward,
327th Military Police Battalionn. “We kind of get wrapped up in what we
do out here and it’s kinda cool to think that somebody as talented as
he is wants to spend time with us.”
Rollins said that when he was asked a few weeks ago by the USO to come
out and visit the troops, he instantly agreed to do it.
“I didn’t even hesitate,” Rollins said, adding that he agreed not
really knowing what to expect, but what he saw was a pleasant surprise.
“What I didn’t expect was to meet so many bright, amazing people, who
are so focused on their jobs, so highly educated, and so fully intense;
and I’m quite in awe.”
by Sgt. Greg Heath
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Dec. 8, 2003) -- Hundreds of
fans packed Bagram Civic Center to see hardcore rock icon Henry Rollins
Dec. 7 as part of his USO-sponsored tour to visit service members
deployed overseas.
Rollins, former front man of legendary 80’s punk pioneers Black Flag
and currently lead singer of Rollin’s Band, as well as record company
executive, publisher, writer, actor, and spoken word performer, took
time from his schedule to bring a message of support from home for
American service members here in Afghanistan.
“Everyone (at home is) on the same page in that we love our troops, in
that we want them home in one piece ASAP; even though we may disagree
on other things, we’re all watching you and hoping for your safe
return,” Rollins said to the energized crowd.
During his daylong visit, Rollins visited soldiers in Kabul and Bagram
Air Base and had an opportunity to walk around and meet hundreds of
service members where they live and work.
He shared his thoughts and reflections on some of things he saw during
the day while talking to the service members gathered to see him at the
civic center.
One thing that especially made an impression on him was at the Medical
Task Force-44 Combat Support Hospital, when he went into the intensive
care ward and saw the many Afghan patients whose lives were saved
because of the medical treatment they received by American
servicemembers.
“In America, on the news, we see the exclamation points about this
whole thing, casualties, helicopter crashes, because it makes for good
news and it’s very important when we lose all those people; but what we
never hear about, what I’ve found out today, are all the good things
that are happening to this country because of all of you that are
here,” Rollins expressed to the crowd. “I’m about to start of 50 or 60
speaking dates all across America and by the time I’m done with them
they’ll all know what I saw, so you can count on me for that.”
After speaking to the crowd, Rollins signed autographs and took
pictures with service members late into the night. Although he was
tired and suffering from jet lag, he stayed until the very last service
member had left the building.
“To have someone come over here like him, it’s like for a couple of
minutes you’re back home again,” said Pfc. Ethan Kreutzer, 3rd
Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment. Kreutzer said he’s a huge
fan of Rollins’ music and spoken word material.
Many of the service members were impressed with how “down to earth”
Rollins was during his visit.
“I thought it was really cool that somebody like him could take time
out of his schedule to come visit us out here,” said Spc. Nicole Ward,
327th Military Police Battalionn. “We kind of get wrapped up in what we
do out here and it’s kinda cool to think that somebody as talented as
he is wants to spend time with us.”
Rollins said that when he was asked a few weeks ago by the USO to come
out and visit the troops, he instantly agreed to do it.
“I didn’t even hesitate,” Rollins said, adding that he agreed not
really knowing what to expect, but what he saw was a pleasant surprise.
“What I didn’t expect was to meet so many bright, amazing people, who
are so focused on their jobs, so highly educated, and so fully intense;
and I’m quite in awe.”
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When have I ever been the early bird as far as last week is concerned? 
It's too hard for me to keep up with you kids. What are you 24?
What's funny is that it seems like since I first became aware of HR until now, he has gotten more and more conservative.
It's too hard for me to keep up with you kids. What are you 24?
What's funny is that it seems like since I first became aware of HR until now, he has gotten more and more conservative.
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FW: What are your feelings on the impending war?
HR: I hope it can be avoided because there will be casualties on both sides. I don't necessarily think we should be at war with Iraq, it's just Saddam Hussein I have a problem with. I'm sure a lot of Iraq's population is scared of him too, but are too afraid to say anything. I'm afraid of all those people getting hurt and of our guys coming home dead. On the other hand, it seems to be a real problem... It's weird for me to comment on something for which the only information I get comes from CNN. I don't know how good my sources are. But if it's human lives on the line, it seems to me that it's a conflict one should walk towards and not run.
FW: What would you do right now if you were President?
HR: I would let Hans Blix (U.N. chief weapons inspector) and his people go in and do the job that they say they want to do and get this whole thing to be a coalition agreement. I don't think it's a great idea for America to be going in without the support of everyone else in Europe... not having Germany agreeing with us, for example, is significant.
HR: I hope it can be avoided because there will be casualties on both sides. I don't necessarily think we should be at war with Iraq, it's just Saddam Hussein I have a problem with. I'm sure a lot of Iraq's population is scared of him too, but are too afraid to say anything. I'm afraid of all those people getting hurt and of our guys coming home dead. On the other hand, it seems to be a real problem... It's weird for me to comment on something for which the only information I get comes from CNN. I don't know how good my sources are. But if it's human lives on the line, it seems to me that it's a conflict one should walk towards and not run.
FW: What would you do right now if you were President?
HR: I would let Hans Blix (U.N. chief weapons inspector) and his people go in and do the job that they say they want to do and get this whole thing to be a coalition agreement. I don't think it's a great idea for America to be going in without the support of everyone else in Europe... not having Germany agreeing with us, for example, is significant.
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especially since he falls into that crowd of supposedly liberal pop-icons (I know that he is not "pop" per se, but you get my intent, I hope). I saw a couple of his videos awhile back and LOVED them. Good dude.
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