Veteran's Day- A Look Back at the Iraq/Afghanistan Tour of 2006

It's hard to put into words the level of sacrifice that these folks make on an everyday basis... especially during a 15-18 month deployment in places like Ramadi and the Korengal Valley. I truly still think of all of the amazing, selfless people I met during the USO tours I was so fortunate to be a part of in 2005 and 2006. My time there not only carved out a canyon of compassion for the soldiers and their families- it also blew an Afghanistan-shaped hole in my heart (more about that later).

Its up to us to make sure we serve these men and women by protecting their veteran benefits and demanding that the VA receives ample funding for programs like Boots to Books, etc. Be informed and take care of the ones who take care of us. Hooah.

Walking through the Green Zone in Baghdad w/ my bodyguard Neo


Sweet Snipers in Mosul, Iraq


Jon, one of the guides assigned to us in Bagram, Afghanistan


Female warrant officer... pretty badass. Also, Leeann Tweeden (badass, too)


Saddam's throne at his hunting lodge in Baghdad with Leeann Tweeden


On stage at Camp Liberty in Iraq


Blackhawks fly in pairs... our date is over my shoulder