Five Star Iris,

Hello, I was one of the soldiers at your show in Ramadi, Iraq. We talked for a while, but I don't feel that we had a proper introduction. My name is

SSG Chris Miller. I am a Combat Engineer in the Army Reserve doing Route Clearance here in Ramadi. I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, and absolutely love music. Like I told you after your concert, you guys really lifted my spirits. With all the stress of being in Iraq, away from friends and family, in addition to performing a dangerous job in arguably one of the most dangerous cities in all Iraq, I was feeling run down, tired, stressed, and homesick. Even though I hadn't heard of your band, or didn't know any of your songs, just the sound of live music was all the medicine I needed. It had been nearly seven months since I had heard any live music, and I have

never gone that long without getting "my fix". You guy's willingness to come over here, and do something as simple as entertain the troops is truly admirable. You gave usa chance to take our minds off the war, and relax and enjoy ourselves. That is invaluable. Many are too frightened, or too busy, to help put a smile on our faces (especially here in Ramadi), so I wanted to give you the most sincere thank you that I could. I really appreciate your desire to connect with us troops, and take an interest in what we are doing. Hopefully we will meet again back in the real world, but even if we don't, I want you to know that you at least helped this soldier (and many others I am sure). I feel re-energized to finish out the rest of my time in Iraq, and look forward to seeing your band again when I get home.

Here are some of the pictures of Ramadi that I promised. I will be more than happy to share more if you want, and if we do meet up in the states, I have hundreds of pictures, and hours of video of our exciting time here.
However, I am sure that you guy's will have a plentiful supply of your own by the end of your 25 days. Once again, thank you very much for putting your life on hold, sacrificing time with your families, and putting your
life in danger to brighten my time in Iraq. God bless, and stay safe.

P.S. Anytime you guys want to play in St. Louis, just let me know and I will

call in some favors to get you a good show. Same thing goes for Kansas City; Lawrence, KS (KU); and Manhattan, KS (KSU).

In Christ, Chris Miller.

Dear Five Star Iris,

I apologize for the delay in emailing you when I met you just prior to the AQ concert in the Medical BAS. Today was our first day back in the wire that I actually had some free time to sit down and write, and give you a warm thanks. That day of the concert, we (1/4 Weapons MTT) couldn't stay because we needed to head back up north, so you played a mini-concert for some of the guys that were able to break free from work that day. I (we) gratefully appreciate everything you did for us because we don't have the leisure to attend the MWR tours that come through Iraq to help raise the morale. Well, you guys definitely raised our morale from the mini-concert you played, and we felt that you totally rock! I (we) really enjoyed your music!

Also during your visit, I spoke with Rob, Garrett, and Alan about some of the projects that I've become a representative for the "Dirt Sailors" (Hospital Corpsmen) and Marines through our Medical tent in our location, and how my family and friends were helping in sending school supplies for the Iraqi children. I am hoping that by helping the children, it will help build a better relationship with some of the villages that have labile feelings toward us and our cause. I know you said that you wanted to help and try to get your fans involved, but I got to thinking about your generosity. And I believe that your prayers and the prayers of your fans will be more than enough to help our cause so we can come home safe. But I asked that you not only pray for us (Americans), but also for the Iraqi Army and civilians. The Iraqis need a strong Army to pick up the fight when we start to pull out and to stand up against these terrorists.

Again, you guys totally rock! That includes all of you (manager and sound engineer). Thank you so much for that special, mini-concert, I (we) won't forget your generosity.

HM2 D. Rickerson
Senior Line Corpsman
1/4 Weapons Company

Five Star Iris,

I would like to personally thank you for your visit to Iraq to the men & women who serve our great country.  I have a son who is a US Marine and has served since he got out of high school.  He is currently somewhere in Iraq at a forwarding operating base (you know what that means) west of Baghdad.
 
I saw your pictures on the usmc.mil website and I have now read your blog about your journey.  It is amazing to me you all would take your personal time, energy and money to give back to those serving. 
 
I also saw you landed on the USS Bonhomme Richard, which is one of the five ships in the group of the Marine Expeditionary Unit Cody was with until they got called to Iraq.
 
I appreciate all you have commented on especially the progress you saw first hand and how proud you are to be an American. 
 
I can also tell you that being a US Marine mom is a very tough job but I have not ever been more proud.  We fly the yellow ribbon around the oak tree in my front yard and always will for all of my sons & daughters serving our great USA.
 
Take care and God’s speed in your success.  I truly believe in giving back – you will prosper.
 
Thank you again,
 
JoAnn Baker
Very proud US Marine mom

of Sgt. Cody Light (22) – somewhere in the sandbox 

Hey Alan,
 
Just thought I would drop you a quick line and tell you that I really enjoyed the concert, and I appreciate all you guys did coming out here.
 
There have been huge responses from the band’s performance, even from people back home that heard on the wire you guys were here. Everyone was impressed, and I know a few people who have already purchased the album from Amazon.
 
I really enjoyed meeting all of you. As I told you, I write poetry. So, I wrote you guys one. It is attached to the e-mail. I hope you like it.
 
Catherine and I chatted at length about the whole experience, as well as her to see the Fray. She had a blast as well.
 
We hope you had a great time with us as well, and hope to keep in touch with you for many years to come.
 
Marshall

"Follow your heart, it is the path that will lead you to your soul."

Five Star Iris
To your honor I dedicate this verse:

A flash of Daylight over the horizon
The ship floated on the sea just the same
Nothing new to report out here underway
The day before the music came.

Just like that, they were among us
Infectious like a new strain of virus
Dave, Rob, Alex and Alan arrived
The band called Five Star Iris.

So soon we were all introduced
They had been brought here to play
For a ship shackled by a long deployment
And in our hearts they would forever stay.

From the beginning of Bingo
To the last lyric they sighed
They kept us entertained so well
Making us all a little Starry Eyed.

Their music so beautifully played
Rocking out on that small stage
Guys jamming with air guitars
With girls they were all the rage.

Holding nothing back, they Let It All Out
The best gift we received since we deployed
Singing every line so eloquently we joined
From their songs to Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

And then like the night which vanished before us
Like a dream, they were gone once again
Though they left in their wake the memories
Something beautiful one can Only Imagine.

Amassing pictures, and souvenir guitar pics
I had the honor to meet them and attend.
All my profound thanks I eagerly send
For I feel like the Luckiest Man, to call them friend.

Marshall Mallory, SK2
USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6
US Navy

I just wanted to say thanks again for coming to our ship and putting on such a great show.  I’m not sure if you get the full effect of what that does for us, but it brings the morale on the ship way up, and it brings the people here together.  For a night, we get to take a break and enjoy ourselves.  You guys were great!  Thanks again, and hopefully you will be at our homecoming party!!
 
  AT3 Bauer, Deanna
      AIMD/IMO3
Calibration Lab x4508
USS Bonhomme Richard
 
"don't you worry, you'll find yourself. follow your heart and nothing else"
 
"god gave me style, god gave me grace. god put a smile on my face. god made me shine like the sun. sometimes i feel like i'm the one"

Gents,
        I caught both your shows while you were in Al Dhafra, UAE.  I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for serving your nation in a time of war.  Yes, you are serving your country, too!  As a group, you decided to take time out of your lives and your routine to provide entertainment and a show of support for our service members in harm's way.  You have my respect and admiration for what you do.  Thanks for bringing the weapon system of "Rock and Roll" to bear in support of our morale.  Don't take it's power for granted!  Remember, we captured Manuel Noriega with Rock and Roll (maybe that was a bit before your time)!  Great Job and Great Gigs!  Best of success to you all!

Respectfully,

Mike Adams
A service member