Introduction

In March, 2005, Dan (and three of his friends) completed a twenty five day, six country tour of the Middle East to entertain and uplift thousands of brave men and women of our U.S. Military. Here you can experience this adventure for yourself by reading Dan’s first-hand accounts, seeing photos of the experience, and much more.

To navigate this site, you can click the individual journal entries one at a time, or read them in sequence using the “previous” and “next” links withing each entry. Also be sure to check out the additional links for more information.

Dan’s Trip Journal

During the expedition, Dan was able to maintain a day by day account of the experience, incorporating photos and stories in order to provide insights unavailable anywhere else. Enjoy!

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(L) Osama Bin Ladin’s personal aircraft. (R) Our sleeping quarters during our time in Bagram.

15 March, 0440 Zulu, 0910 local

Starting to get the hang of this time change thing, just in time to leave Afghanistan. Actually, our flight is not until this evening, affording us another day on base to take in the sights, use the facilities, and visit with soldiers. Now that we have done two shows here, people are beginning to recognize us, and that familiarity is promoting some terrific conversations.

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Mines are everywhere you look in Bagram. The powerful image on the right is framed and displayed at Headquarters.

14 March, Bagram, Afghanistan
0623 Zulu, 1053 local, 1:00am back home

It is another breathtaking day in Bagram with clear skies and gorgeous views of the Hindu Kush Mountain Range. Yesterday (Sunday) was a day of renewal for us, including a meeting with Colonel Algermissen, church services, exercise, and even a massage at the Day Spa/Barber Shop. We also had a fantastic show here last night for about 300 soldiers. How immensely gratifying to perform for them and, especially, have them approach us afterward and offer their appreciation. Of course, we tell them that we are the ones who appreciate them, and this incredible opportunity to be a part of their experience.

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In Jalalabad, Afghanistan, we had a mixed audience of both military personnel and local nationals. At this “Provisional Rebuilding” base, Americans and Afghans work together to bring positive change to the community.

March 12, Bagram, Afghanistan
1509 Zulu, 7:39 pm local time

This was a day of improvisation, and we enjoyed another sensory rich adventure. We woke early and were at the chilly airfield in time to watch a spectacular sunrise over the mountains. Our transport was a Black Hawk helicoptor, not a Chinock as earlier thought. Also, the schedule was changed to allow us to come back here instead of spending the night in Jalalabad.

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(L) Green Beans coffee (a morning ritual) at sunrise. (R) Jeremy Rangon (on left) was the navigator at our show last night who hooked me up with a cockpit ride in our C130 to Bagram. Thanks, Jeremy!

March 11, Time: 1220 Zulu, 7:20 EST, 1650 local

Afghanistan time is 30 minutes off the hour

Bagram, Afghanistan

Time is nearly irrelevant. Sleep is also, apparently, irrelevant. We are in the midst of another action packed day. This experience has gone beyond exciting to surreal- without a doubt the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever done.

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