The Red Bulls

Contingency Operating Base Basrah – As Minnesota Vikings fans in the home state were finishing lunch and readying for the game against the Detroit Lions, Soldiers of the 34th Infantry Division here were finishing their dinner and set to watch the game with them.

The Minnesota Vikings Viewing Party brought 34th ID Soldiers, a unit based in Minneapolis, a bit of home with a tailgate atmosphere complete with grilled food and pounding music but, most importantly, coincided with the festivities of their loved ones back home.

 Sgt. Melissa Mensen, of Alexandria, Minn., member of the 34th Military Police Co. quick reaction force team, wore a pink jersey in support of her team and family.

 “My mom’s a big fan,” she said.

 Throughout the night, Soldiers cheered their team and moments later saw themselves on the big screen and Jumbotron, the Metrodome stadium big screen, in Minneapolis.
 “I have a ten and nine year old kids. I would love to think they would get a glimpse of me,” said Chief warrant officer Trygve Skaar, of Rosemount, Minn., commander of the 34th Infantry Division band.

 “It’s fun to think that might happen,” he said.

 The 34th ID band had the honor of playing the national anthem for the game and Capt. Dustin Snare, of Plymouth, Minn., battle captain for the 34th ID operations section, blew the traditional Minnesota Viking’s Gjallarhorn, a Nordic war horn, to kick off the game.

 The band was proud to represent the military, Skaar said.

 “Wherever we can bring people together to honor our nation, especially in this unique setting, is an awesome experience,” he said.

 Throughout the night the satellite feed that carried the game across the world to Iraq would hang up occasionally, freezing mid-tackle or stopping the receiver in midair, but the cheering of the Soldiers came regardless.
 At halftime, Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham, senior enlisted leader for the 34th Infantry Division Special Troops Batt., native of Elko, Minn., had the opportunity to speak to his family on the field.

 He asked his son about his long hair and musical pursuits, his daughter, her belated search for the right college, and his wife about what sorts of housework he would see on his “honey-do list” when he arrived home.

 In the end, the Vikings defeated the Lions 27-10, a victory felt around the world.