I recently corresponded with Justin Sullivan & Josh Weisberg, two friends who share a passion for hamburgers. both are photo-journalists and document their world-wide enjoyment of grilled meat on their web log The Hamblogger. When I read Justin’s post about sharing burgers with troops in Afghanistan on July 4th, I asked and he graciously allowed me to re-post it here for you. Wish I could cook a burger for every person serving our country, including the families and especially their kids. It wouldn’t be enough to tell them thanks for all they endure. ~CB
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U.S. Armed Forces July Fourth BBQ
Kandahar Airfield
Kandahar, Afghanistan
It had been at least two weeks since I had enjoyed a hamburger. I was jonesing in a big way for my beloved All-American classic sandwich. After my previous burger from the mess hall I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t be having anymore burgers until I was back in the States. I had a few days off between embeds and heard about a massive Fourth of July BBQ that was being held on base for the U.S. forces. Not only would I be able to get a burger but it would provide an opportunity to take a few pictures of the soldiers being treated to something other than the chow they get at the DFAC. I grabbed my fellow photojournalist Ben Brody and we headed over to the festivities.
It was another scorching hot day in Kandahar, probably close to 120 degrees. The BBQ was just getting underway and people were starting to trickle in. Dozens of tables had been set up along with four serving stations that were dishing out burgers, dogs, ribs and corn. The same guys who do all the cooking in the DFAC’s were out in the heat laboring over massive BBQ grills. The troops were also treated to live entertainment as soldiers who had signing or dancing skills performed on the back of a flatbed trailer decorated with red, white and blue decorations and a sign that read “We Love U.S.A.”. Don’t forget about the Sumo wrestling. Guys squeezed into massive fat suits and hopped around attempting to wrestle their opponent with limited mobility. I imagine spending 10 minutes in that suit in the uncomfortable heat would easily shed a few pounds from your body.
After watching the entertainers and laughing at the Sumo wrestlers, it was time for some BBQ. Ben and I lamented as we made our way to the back of the now lengthy line. All four lines were now about 200 soldiers deep and not moving very fast. We baked in the sun as we slowly inched forward. Two soldiers were doing old school break dancing on the trailer stage while rapping lyrics that were difficult to decipher. They belted out lots of “yeah boy” and threw out hand gestures. After close to 20 minutes we finally made it up the serving station.
High Ranking Miliatry offices cut a table-size birthday cake to celebrate 4th of July with all the soldiers in Kandahar, Afghanistan 2010
High ranking officers from all branches of services served from chaffing trays filled with dozens of preformed burger patties, hot dogs and ribs that were drenched in BBQ sauce. I got a burger and some ribs with a side of corn since it had been weeks since I had seen a vegetable. To my surprise, there were proper sesame seed buns, American cheese and even thick slices of bright red tomatoes. I had almost forgotten what a tomato looked like. I grabbed a couple packets of ketchup and mustard and searched for an empty seat.
I assembled my burger with the cheese, tomato and a mixture of the ketchup and mustard. Once put together, it looked like an old fashioned burger. I couldn’t wait to dive in. The bun was pretty spongy and a little dry but it soon compressed down and moistened up a little from the mustard and ketchup mixing with the juices of the tomato. The preformed patty (that was designed to look like it had been hand pressed) had the exact flavor of the patties that they used to use at my high school. It had a little bit of spice and a stiff texture with absolutely no juice. It wasn’t that bad and was way better than the pucks they sling at the DFAC. The ribs were decent but the corn was a complete disappointment. It must have been soaking in water for hours to give it that “wet sponge” texture. There was no crunch whatsoever.
How good was the burger? Well - not very good at all. BUT the company of soldiers so far away from home was tremendous.
All in all, it was a fun time at the BBQ and the burger was decent enough to fulfill my burger urge and keep me going for a few more weeks before I could get some good eats. The troops seemed to enjoy the little break from war and the DFAC chow. Even if it was similar to the food they eat every day, I think the fact that it was cooked on a grill makes it a little better. Did I mention that there was cake and pies? A whole tent was filled with every imaginable kind of pie and there was also a massive sheet cake of an American flag that was cut but 3 high ranking officers with long chef knives. Well, they didn’t cut the whole thing, just sliced into before a team of local workers butchered it to the point that it looked like someone had taken a Roto-tiller to it.
As we were leaving, the sun was setting and we joked about when the fireworks show would start. Someone chimed in that they had heard there was going to be a flyover. We laughed at the thought of that since pairs of planes and helicopters routinely take off from the airfield about every 15 minutes. So, unless they were going to do a flyover with a fleet of three dozen planes, it might go unnoticed. As for the fireworks, I think these guys see enough real fireworks every day.
by justin on July 21, 2010
