A Bowhunter Making A Difference In Iraq
Should We Be There? Saddam, Iraq & Terrorism - "The #1 thing I am asked about to my trip to Iraq is, Now that you've seen it, what do you think? Should we be there? Is President Bush doing the right thing?"
The Wheels Fell Off - Kuwait was a beautiful city and everything rolled right along. But when Doug arrived at the airport the wheels fell off and things got weird. 
You Miss Things Like That, by Doug Besherse - When was the last time the bell man took your bags ... to check them for bombs?
Like The Sun Coming Up In The East, by Doug Besherse - "When I had told him why I was here he said, you mean you came all the way over here to go to a moral booster event for the troops?" Doug has an unexpected and interesting delay in Kwait.

Getting Ready To Leave Baghdad

Doug Besherse's flag & Archery Event T-shirt from Iraq

Archery Touches Everyone

Doug goes bowfishing in the  Tigris River with Col. Barbe and Gurkha soldiers (very fierce warriors, contracted  to run securityaround check points). Archery has the ability to touch everyone, even in Iraq.

The Good Guys

Doug Besherse & Major Hassig
At the shoot's end Doug talks to Maj. Hassig and learns how his team has improved Iraqi hospital care, helped orphanages, and even reduced the long lines at the pumps in Baghdad, a city that formerly had only 4 gas stations!

It All Comes Down To This...

Part 2 - An archery tournament & event in a war zone. Complete with incoming rocket and anti aircraft fire, Doug proudly shoots his bow with America's best, Iraqis and civilians who are making Iraq a better place.

Iraqi International Archery Event

Part 1 - There were people of all ages, from children to older adults. Many different nationalities came. Western, European, Middle Eastern, and Male and Female. It didn't matter about any of that, they all were having a good time....in a not so good place.

So This Is How It Feels

Doug visits the archery range and talks to an Iraqi family. Later, the lights go out and it's a dangerous situation. Afterward he tells us, "For the soldiers and Iraqi civilians, death waits beside them every day, like a crouched lion in the brush. In spite of that they must press on, either that or give up and quit living."

The Baghdad Soap Opera

Today Doug joins the Cobra Strike Team as they run missions and he becomes a part of the Baghdad Soap Opera, a true story of danger, murder, senseless violence and hope. 

Preparing For The Mission
Unbeknownst to Doug, the officers decided to take him on a mission into the red zone to see what they did and the kind of conditions they had to do them in. The next night Sgt Higginbotham knocked on Doug's door.

Impact, Of The Archery KInd, In The Baghdad Green Zone
Shooting his bow with the soldiers, Iraqis and civilians in an active war zone is something Doug Besherse will never forget. Today Doug goes to the archery range.

Defiance in the Face of Total Defeat

The Presidential Palace in Iraq 
On this update Doug visits the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. He finds it more than expected and also gains insight into Sadam's defiant attitude.

Occupational Hazard
Doug asks to go to the Military Hospital to talk with soldiers that were wounded and would like a visit. 
He finds several eager to talk and is stunned at their outlook and how the soldiersw handled themselves.

Lucky to be Alive and Free
Doug attends a meeting to go over the lay out of the archery range for the Iraqi International Archery Competitin I was here for. The course was set up in a sub division adjacent to the Presidential Palace. The fact that it was in an active war zone there were obviously some major restrictions. 

A View Of Armageden
Doug meets some bowhunters in Baghdad and talks to Sgt. Cross from Yakima, WA, an elk and deer hunter.

August 13 - Ground Thunder
Cols. Gamble and Spann begin the day by showing Doug around parts of Bahdad. On the way Doug learns about "Ground Thunder." 

Welcome To Baghdad!
Doug arrives at his living quarters and gets oriented to his new friends and situation. It is interesting, indeed, as he relates the events of his arrival day to us. Having had 3 hours sleep in the last 48+ hours he finally prepares for a good nights sleep -- and learns and all new meaning to, "Welcome To Baghdad!" 

Aug 11,  Flying into Baghdad - Thinking of the ones who have gone before me.
"This Definitely Is Not Tennessee." 
As Doug lands in Baghdad he writes, "I really didn't know what to expect but this never entered my mind." Then he continues with today's powerful update and pictures.

10:54am - Leaving Kuwait - Proud to be an American
A report from Kuwait. En route Doug talks to several people: a Kuwati man who says what they think about Americans, soldier Brad Long gives him survival tips, Capt. Tony Frasco says the situation is not like the news says it is, and Capt. Duecker shows Doug around the area.

Aug 9: 12:06pm, Doug Reports En Route From Amsterdam
Doug has already been through 7 time zones. In a briefing with Col Terry Gamble in Baghdad he was told there was a lot of excitement about the Archery Event and that the interest in attending exceeded anything they had imagined.
Some time today (Monday) Doug is scheduled to arrive in Baghdad, Iraq. As soon as I hear from him I will update right here.
A few emails have come in for Doug
Gene Cowan says, "Hat's off to Doug. I wish more people like these would get some needed attention." And Karen Vought (PCBA) wrote, "Please let Doug know that Marvin & I will pray that he remains safe and has a safe trip back home to us."

Aug 7, Planning An Archery Event In Iraq
Today Doug Besherse gets on a plane to Baghdad to take part in a moral booster, archery event (the Iraqi International Archery Competition) to be held in the Presidential Palace. The event is open to all coalition troops as well as other support personnel and Iraqis helping in the green zone.
Also Doug will be an embedded reporter with the 350th Civil Affairs Command which is in charge of rebuilding Iraq and helping people there attain a better life. Doug will live with them for one week and will report back to us daily.

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