News

World Series celebrated in Iraq by life-long fans
Story and photo by Spc. Gretel Sharpee
Reprinted with permission from Maine National Guard, Public Affairs

Spc. Joe Schreiber, Sgt. Kilroy Touchette, Spc. Sean Keefe and Spc. Aaron Monty stand with the banner of their favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, 2004 World Series Champions, in front of Saddam's former palace in Mosul, Iraq.

In a dark office, in one of Saddam's former palaces, a group of life-long Boston Red Sox fans are lit by the glow from a TV showing Game Four of the 2004 World Series. Five of these fans, members of the 133rd Engineer Battalion from Belfast, Maine, have waited for this moment their entire life- to see the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. The Sox went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0, sweeping the series, making this their first World Series Championship since 1918.

Seeing this game is like icing on a cake to these Soldiers who are part of a unit that has been in Iraq since February of this year. This Maine National Guard Battalion operates out of the city of Mosul, and after nine months, the Soldiers have completed numerous projects and operations that are critical to the reconstruction of Iraq.

Heavy eyed, these Soldiers gathered to watch the game that started at 3 a.m. This might seem outrageous to some, but when you've never seen your team win the World Series, it doesn't matter. Sure, these Soldiers might yawn a little more during the day, but they all agreed that it was well worth the loss of sleep to see their team fight to win the World Series for the first
time in 86 years. The group of five Soldiers even sat in the same seats and drank the same drinks they have since the beginning of the playoffs to ensure the continued winning streak.

"I know my family and friends are going nuts at home watching this game and they like to know that we have made our own ritual for the Series here," said Spc. Sean Sanford, an electrician and driver for the 133rd. "We make sure to sit in the same spots now since the only time we didn't they (Red Sox) lost to the Yankees."

Since the games were played live from the United States via satellite TV, these Soldiers were up in the early morning hours for every one of the World Series games. But when asked if they think these games have affected their mission here in Iraq, they all agree it has but in a positive way.

"The Red Sox in the World Series has given us something to look forward to and talk about while we are out doing our job," said Sgt. Kilroy Touchette, from Oatisfield, Maine. "I have a driver who only talks about sports so lately he has been talking all the time."

During the game, cheers and yells echoed in the marble room and some frustration was exhibited over the intermittent satellite connection, but with or without a clear connection, these Soldiers cheered on their favorite team.
"I've been a fan forever. You don't usually ask a Red Sox fan how long they have been a fan, since it has most likely been their whole life," said Touchette.

By the last inning, it's 6:45 a.m. The Soldiers shave, brush their teeth and drink coffee to get ready for another day. They have a convoy leaving just after the game's completion, and with the St. Louis Cardinals up to bat at the bottom of the ninth inning the Soldiers have their body armor on and are ready to jump out the door. As the last out is made, the whole group jumps up and cheers together as the Boston Red Sox win the World Series.

"I can look forward to answering the question 'Where were you when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004,'" said Touchette, as he headed out the door for another day in Iraq. His weapon in hand and fellow Soldiers around him, his heart might be with his favorite team, but his head is in the game here in Iraq.