CAMP BUCCA, Iraq –
As I opened the door, a small bell jingled, alerting the clerk a customer had entered the store. It was an ordinary pawn shop situated on the fringes of the Florida State University campus back in 1984.
I had been to this pawn shop once or twice before with a close friend who was an accomplished guitar player. He was a knowledgeable musician always looking for an abandoned Les Paul or a 1953 Martin D-28 guitar and he told me this shop had a great reputation for bargains and fair prices. On this day I figured I might find a suitable trade for a 1911 Colt .45 handgun my wife didn't want in the house anymore. With a toddler running around the house in diapers she had a compelling case not to keep it and I knew this was one challenge I was not about to win.
The clerk gave me a casual glance barely looking up from his paper and muttered a friendly, "What can I do for you?" I had already seen what I was looking for and there it was hanging on the wall, nestled among numerous acoustic and electric guitars, a five-string banjo looking like it needed a good home.
Over the years, my banjo has become a trusted friend. The many hours of practicing have often kept my family awake and made many neighborhood dogs howl, but the practice eventually paid off. We formed a family bluegrass band named Packs Landing and have played gigs in college bars, company picnics and numerous church functions. I have played on street corners in New York City, on the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado and under the antler arch in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Music has always been and continues to be a family activity where we share hours of fun and enjoyment. I hope to be picking the banjo for grandchildren when the time comes. For the last year, I have carried the banjo with me to Afghanistan and now I have it here in Iraq. Funny how a man-made object constructed of wood, brass, steel and wire strings can provide such a powerful sanctuary.
Camp Bucca is the largest theater internment facility in Iraq. The numbers of detainees are slowly decreasing as they are reintegrated into the Iraqi justice system. Service members deployed to Camp Bucca have an incredible mission they perform with pride and professionalism 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The American military presence here is best defined as a team approach with Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps personnel quietly and diligently accomplishing one of the most important strategic missions here in theater. We are collectively known as part of the Multi-national Force-Iraq and play a significant role in assisting the people of Iraq on their continued journey toward peace and prosperity.
Part of the mission at Camp Bucca is to operate a visitation center allowing family members of detainees to visit with their loved ones prior to the detainee's release to the government of Iraq. The visitation center is manned by Airmen who use contracted linguists to perform interpretive duties. Air Force officials host the families while they visit with a detained father, brother, uncle or son. The vast majority of the visitors travel great distances from all over the country in order to have a chance to visit their family members, many of whom may not have seen them in quite some time.
As the visitors arrive, they first stop in a large waiting area complete with a children's playground and where the adults are cordially treated with respect, honor and courtesy. The children have the opportunity to enjoy the trappings of the swing sets, slides and monkey bars not unlike children anywhere else in the world, kids are kids. The generosity of Americans becomes vividly clear as soccer balls, coloring books and candy are passed out to the children on a daily basis. The children have traveled great distances as well, but to no one's surprise seem always to have endless amounts of energy.
The visitation center at Camp Bucca represents all that is good in America. Your military servicemen and women represent the first handshake or embrace of ambassadorship and goodwill that these Iraqi citizens have come in contact with since their loved ones were detained. They are performing admirably. I cannot adequately express how important the mission is these fine Americans are performing. Simply fantastic!
Recently I took a ride down to the visitation center as I have on previous occasions, but this time I wanted to interact with the children there with their families. I took my banjo along for the ride and upon arriving sought out a bench adjacent to the playground. The closest seat to the children was what I had in mind. I opened my case, which immediately captured the attention of nearly every child present. Next, I took out the small electronic tuner and placed it on the head of the banjo. Even more children took notice now. Seconds later I had the five-string tuned and began to play. I was now surrounded by children. As a matter, of fact I had a few climbing up on my knee.
I sat and played for probably 30 minutes, watching the reactions on the faces of the adults assembled in my proximity. Some were stoic, some smiled and some were indifferent, but some were cheerful and even clapped along. Simple songs such as "Cripple Creek" and "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," bridged a cultural gap and if only for a moment achieved a degree of harmony, peace and understanding between this Airman and a group of Iraqi citizens.
Twenty-five years ago I walked into that pawn shop in Tallahassee, Fla., and traded a pistol for a banjo. Imagine that, an instrument of violence traded for an instrument of joy and peace.