Watching the Rose Bowl in Baghdad, Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- It’s 1 a.m. at the Joint Visitor Bureau Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, where Oregonians gathered last to watch the Civil War game.

But this morning, the crowds of soldiers in green and orange are absent.

A small group of soldiers in camo uniforms sit in chairs on marble floors, before a big screen TV in the main dining hall. They talk quietly in quiet anticipation.

Within an hour, Ohio has scored 10 points. Soldiers glance at the plays while chatting with each other about recent mortar attacks and missions. "It’s a long game, it’s still anyone’s game," says convoy commander Lt. Matt Harrison, 27, of Portland, Ore., who came to the Joint Visitor Bureau Hotel for the large TV set and camaraderie of fellow soldiers.

What makes these soldiers want to miss out on a good night’s sleep?

"I was bored, we could take the Humvee out tonight," says gunner Spc. Kent Patterson, 27, Tualatin, Ore., who was promoted today for the third time, meaning he has been demoted twice. He is celebrating this event with the game.

"There’s no alcohol, so football is the next best thing," says Patterson, who is thankful he has tomorrow off.

Patterson is one of those football fans that rooted for the Beavers during the Civil War, but now supports the Ducks, because at least one team in the Rose Bowl is from Oregon.

Cali Bagby is embedded with the Oregon Army National Guard from the 41st Infantry for KATU.com. Her work has been published in the Washington Post and the Eugene Weekly.
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