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Visit to Afghanistan

Last post Tue, Apr 15 2008, 8:05 AM by brikas. 35 replies.
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  •  Sat, Mar 22 2008, 2:13 PM 330914

    Yes [Y] Visit to Afghanistan

    Just wanted to thank you guys again for coming over here, playing some great shows, and being so down-to-earth. It was nice meeting you guys. Hearing some songs I used to slow-dance to in high school brought back fond memories of home. Hope you heal soon, Greg!

    Paul 


    PDT
  •  Sat, Mar 22 2008, 2:37 PM 330915 in reply to 330914

    • HazySoul
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    • Vancouver
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Welcome to the board Paul.  I'm sure having Blue Rodeo play for you guys was a pleasant distraction from your hard work over there.  Thanks for being there for Canada & be safe.

    Greg Keelor met Jim Cuddy and then I met you people. Serendipity is a marvellous thing.


    "I guess I don't know if I believe in God but
    I know a song can make you feel good once
    in a while." ~Greg Keelor~
  •  Sat, Mar 22 2008, 6:44 PM 330917 in reply to 330915

    • ann
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Welcome Paul and thanks for posting in Tales From the Road as well as standing on guard for Canada.  I'm wondering if you would mind posting a bit about the show and what I presume was your involvement in a ball hockey game?  I'm sure we've never seen a review from Afghanistan. Smile
    "Over straight and crooked miles
    Falling out of favour or embraced
    Wondering where was love...
    It hadn't happened yet"
    ~Ron Sexsmith~

    Nearest to all things
    Patiently waiting
    So let the angels sing
    Silently weeping

  •  Sun, Mar 23 2008, 12:40 PM 330935 in reply to 330917

    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Thanks for the welcome. 

    Well the boys actually played an intimate show the first night they were here in what is called Canada House- a place for soldiers, sailors, airmen, airwomen and civilians to relax, watch TV and play a game of pool. There was a large crowd mingling, meeting former NHL stars and listening to the band. They invited some of the troops to join-in, playing guitar and singing. It was a great show.

    The next evening they were the headliners on the main stage at the boardwalk- a short walk down from the Tim Horton's ( yes, it's popular with many nations here). They invited a military police officer to sing and play guitar to an original tune he wrote- surely an unforgettable moment for him. Once again a great show. The finale, Lost Together, saw rock star Jonas, east coast singer Lori Anna Reid and some NHL old-timers join in singing, smiling and having a great time.

    The next day the band treated everyone to another show in Canada House and once again they invited the troops to have a shot at singing in front of the band. One female commented it was "way better than karaoke" after singing Stand By Me.

    After the show they gave away copies of their latest CD, posed for pictures and signed autographs. It was a great experience and everyone had a great time.

    About the ball hockey.....Greg was a trooper and played despite a couple injuries he suffered. Tough-as -nails! 

     


    PDT
  •  Sun, Mar 23 2008, 3:02 PM 330937 in reply to 330935

    • ann
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Thanks for posting that Paul!  Who knows where you are but it sounds like Canada House was the entertainment capital of "wherever-it-is" that night!  I'm pretty sure that the show you've described would never happen anywhere else outside of a base.  I'd have to agree with the comment "better than karaoke!" lolBig Smile  Glad to hear about all the fun.

    So many people have often posted to say that Blue Rodeo's lyrics really resonate with the events of their lives and so on, but in your and your comrades' situation, I'd have to say that their lyrics would have an added poignancy. Sort of "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."Smile

    You didn't by chance jot down a setlist did you?


    "Over straight and crooked miles
    Falling out of favour or embraced
    Wondering where was love...
    It hadn't happened yet"
    ~Ron Sexsmith~

    Nearest to all things
    Patiently waiting
    So let the angels sing
    Silently weeping

  •  Sun, Mar 23 2008, 4:06 PM 330938 in reply to 330937

    • carolk
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Thanks for posting about the show, Paul999!  It was very interesting to hear the details!

    From what I have read here on the board, and at the CBC news site, it sounds like the Blue Rodeo lads played at least two hockey games, and performed at least two shows while entertaining our troops!  It also sounds like a great time was had by all! Yes

    I was so happy to hear that you have a Tim Horten's over there!  Some home, away from home, eh? Coffee

    Please tell your fellow service men and women that we are thinking of you, and wish for your safe return to the land of every-weather!  


    I carry with me the memory of a field I once knew, of a night so full of stars that I was left humbled by it's endless beauty. I know that whatever the cost, life is worth living. So bring it on...I can take it.
  •  Sun, Mar 23 2008, 10:04 PM 330951 in reply to 330938

    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Thanks for your post Paul.  There have been a few of us here wondering how every thing went over there.  I am really glad that BR was able to head over and entertain the troops and it sounds like entertain they did!!  It nice they brought CD's for you all and they posed for pics and signed autographs.  They are just such great guys!!

    Keep safe!!

    I am going to assume this is the Military Police officer that you refer to.  What an awesome song!!

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=jMdH2cbG4IU

  •  Sun, Mar 23 2008, 11:33 PM 330958 in reply to 330951

    • DianeM
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Welcome Paul! After reading your post and watching the video Already Gone just posted, I'm sure the concerts Blue Rodeo gave for the soldiers in Afghanistan were very special.  Please be safe and I hope you get to come home soon! Smile
    Don't waste the time, the time that isn't lost (Jim Cuddy)
  •  Mon, Mar 24 2008, 6:21 AM 330959 in reply to 330958

    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    I am a crew member on the plane that took the band part way to Afghanistan before they boarded another plane.  On the trip back to Canada Jim and Greg and few other NHL hockey players gathered around and sang some songs, a very lively flight for sure.  I got the chance to talk to Greg on a few occasions, a great guy to talk to.  I got a photo of myself with Jim and Greg, along with the Stanley Cup.

     I am sure all the guys and girls over in Afghanistan really appreciated the visit from Blue Rodeo and the others who made the journey over.

     
    Jim, Greg and me (Ross Craig)
     

  •  Mon, Mar 24 2008, 9:09 AM 330962 in reply to 330959

    • ann
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Welcome RossCraig and thanks for posting your pic!  I have made this thread "sticky" which means it should stay up at the top of its forum for some time and I hope that other airforce, army and navy personnel (as well as civilians who were able to take part in this whole experience), will post their thoughts and pics.  This would have to be one of the more interesting road trips that the band has made. Smile

    It looks like Greg is sporting some medals there.Smile

    I watched the youtube video too and thought that Elton Adams did a great job!  I really liked his song and thought it had definite Bob Dylan influences showing there!  Very nice!  Great back-up vocals from Jim, catchy riffs from Greg and nice slide from Bob as well a trademark rhythmn from Bazil and Glenn. I didn't see Bob Packwood although he may have been in the shadows there.  Couldn't really hear the keyboards at all.  I'd love to see the lyrics to that one.


    "Over straight and crooked miles
    Falling out of favour or embraced
    Wondering where was love...
    It hadn't happened yet"
    ~Ron Sexsmith~

    Nearest to all things
    Patiently waiting
    So let the angels sing
    Silently weeping

  •  Mon, Mar 24 2008, 11:40 AM 330970 in reply to 330962

    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Welcome Ross....Great Pic!!!  Thanks for coming and sharing it and your experience with us.
  •  Mon, Mar 24 2008, 1:52 PM 330973 in reply to 330970

    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Those aren't real medals, Greg was presented them by the Canadian Chief of Defense as a joke, Greg was playing hockey and hurt his foot.  He came back out later in the game and they decided he had the comeback of the game, something like that.  I had asked Greg about the medals.
  •  Mon, Mar 24 2008, 1:54 PM 330974 in reply to 330973

    • Jules is not online. Last active: 03-26-2008, 1:28 PM Jules
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    I don't see any pictures.

    Am I looking at the wrong place?

     

     

  •  Mon, Mar 24 2008, 2:22 PM 330977 in reply to 330973

    • ann
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    rosscraig:
    Those aren't real medals, Greg was presented them by the Canadian Chief of Defense as a joke, Greg was playing hockey and hurt his foot.  He came back out later in the game and they decided he had the comeback of the game, something like that.  I had asked Greg about the medals.

    Something tells me they enjoyed this tour very much. Big Smile (Except for hockey injuries maybe).

    Jules, the one pic is up under RossCraig's first post and it is of Jim, the Stanley Cup, RossCraig and Greg in a plane.  Perhaps it is just loading on your computer and if you give it a few minutes it will show. (?)

    There are a few article links on BR's myspace page attached to their blog item re Afghanistan so I thought I'd copy them here:

    http://www.torontosun.com/News/Canada/2008/03/20/5056111-sun.html


    http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=386260

     


    "Over straight and crooked miles
    Falling out of favour or embraced
    Wondering where was love...
    It hadn't happened yet"
    ~Ron Sexsmith~

    Nearest to all things
    Patiently waiting
    So let the angels sing
    Silently weeping

  •  Tue, Mar 25 2008, 9:23 AM 331007 in reply to 330977

    • Bluegirl
    • Top 10 Contributor
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    • Out on the Farm
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    Re: Visit to Afghanistan

    Welcome Paul and RossCraig. Thank you so very much not only for taking the time to come here and share your experiences with us, but for all the sacrifices you're making in honour of our country.

    God bless you and stay safe.
     

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