I Went to Iraq, and Made a Pile of Money!

But it's mostly this stuff you see pictured to the left. (If you're like me you accumulate a ton of change while traveling anyway - I don't know why that is. Maybe I just notice it more since I have to take it with me through airport metal detectors.) These, however, are what the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) gives you instead of metal coins at forward deployed locations. They're called "gift certificates" - but they're the smallest such denominations you'll ever see, with 5, 10 and 25 cent versions. They're cardboard pogs, and I don't keep them in my pocket because they'd just get destroyed, so the damn things just accumulate on my desk.

We recently had a visit from this group - a funny bunch of guys who lifted the spirits of all those present. Comedian Tom Irwin had already worked the coins into his routine. Something like this: "I went into the Exchange, bought something, and for change they gave me this. (Holds up pogs) What the hell is this? 'That's money' they told me. 'You can spend it at all AAFES locations.' So the next time I bought something I wrote "5 dollars" on a piece of cardboard and handed it to the cashier. 'Keep the change' I said."

But anyhow - the 'coins' do make sense, they're lighter and thinner than U.S. coins and therefore easier to transport in bulk. And in a place where transport is among the most dangerous activities you can engage in, that matters. But like I said, for the individual GI these things just tend to accumulate during the tour.

So the bottom line is I need to get rid of these future collector's items. So like a dutiful husband I'm sending this money home to the wife. Like a typical wife she's going to spend it, and here's how. Anyone who donates to Spirit of America via clicking the link below, then e-mails her (greyhawk@mudvillegazette.com) proof of said donation and a mailing address will be sent some of the Greyhawk fortune. Minimum 20 dollar donation to SoA to qualify, and offer expires when supplies are exhausted. Already donated via the link? By all means, send your request to Mrs G. Allow a few weeks for delivery, offer void where prohibited, etc etc etc.

Footnote: Besides Tom we were entertained by James P. Connolly, Warren B. Hall, & Tony Daro - thanks to all of them for being here. Hoo-ah.