THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Five Star Iris Entertains Troops in Ramadi

Five Star Iris, an Atlanta rock and roll band, entertains the crowd gathered at the Moral Welfare and Recreation facility at Camp Ramadi, Iraq, July 11. Photographer: Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Alex Winfield, Five Star Iris lead singer sings a song from the band's first album, Five Star Iris, in the Moral Welfare and Recreation facility Jat Camp Ramadi July 11. Photographer: Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Rob Schaefer, Five Star Iris bass guitarist jams to the delight of the crowd in the Moral Welfare and Recreation facility at Camp Ramadi, Iraq, July 11. Photographer: Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Dan Fishman, Five Star Iris drummer entertains the crowd at the Moral Welfare and Recreation facility at Camp Ramadi, Iraq, July 11. Photographer: Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

1st Brigade Combat Team Soldiers enjoy the music of Five Star Iris at the Moral Welfare and Recreation facility at Camp Ramadi, Iraq, July 11. Photographer: Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Five Star Iris Entertains Troops in Ramadi
07.16.2007
Spc. Ricardo M. Branch
1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq -- Troops and civilians alike gathered in the Morale Welfare and Recreation facility for a special concert July 11 at Camp Ramadi.

Five Star Iris, an Atlanta, Ga., rock and roll music band, made a special trip to Iraq as part of a four-day MWR concert for military service members operating in the Middle East.

“This was our chance to show our support the best way we could,” said Alex Winfield, Five Star Iris lead singer. “This is our third military tour, and it’s our first time in Iraq. It’s been an unforgettable experience.”

The band was approached by MWR officials during one of their performances in Texas and asked if they’d like to perform overseas for the military.

“A few months ago, we were approached by an MWR promoter and asked if we’d go to Southwest Asia and of course we said yes,” Winfield said. “Then they asked if we’d be willing to go to Iraq. We said definitely.”

The current tour was something the members really wanted to do for the troops and themselves as Americans.

“Not many bands can say they’ve been in Iraq,” Winfield said. “The people here have been really welcoming and appreciative of us traveling here for them.”

Although it’s only three shows in Iraq, the band enjoys the time to travel across the country and see what the troops endure and what life’s like for the men and women of the armed forces.

“We all have a different takes about our experiences here,” said Dan Fishman, Five Star Iris drummer.

He said that everyone has a responsibility to each other as human beings to do what we can to help in any way they can.

“It’s a huge sacrifice,” Fishman said. “It’s not easy to come and serve here, so if we can do something to help out and break the monotony … this was something we needed to do.”

Before even arriving overseas to entertain the troops, the band was receiving emails from their fan base to make the performance a special one for the military.

“We’d have fans telling us that coming here was something we needed to do,” Winfield said. “They were telling us to make this concert a memorable one. We didn’t know what to expect coming here so we were a bit nervous. This was one of our only concerts where you saw weapons in the crowd.”

The troops attending the show loved the chance to break away from their daily routines and enjoy a concert in a combat zone.

“It gets dull here,” said Pfc. Gary Murdock, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team paralegal. “This concert helped relieve some stress.”

He added, “It was a good concert. The band was enthusiastic about being here and created a very fun and uplifting environment for us. Iraq is a very stressful place and having events like this is a great way for service members to have an outlet and escape the reality of what’s going on around them.

When asked what they all thought of their time at Camp Ramadi, the band had one reply, “Awesome. The crowd was really enthusiastic, and appreciative of us. It’s always great to make new fans wherever we go.”