Army Capt. Michael Signori with Moe Lauzier

Hey good morning welcome to our Saturday morning get together more laws a year with -- on Boston's talk station AM 680 WRKO to 7 o'clock segment. Of our Saturday morning get together every 76 until nine we discussed. The issues of the day and every Saturday morning at 7 AM we have a guest from Iraq usually someone from the local area I don't know how much more local yet -- themselves. Army captain Michael and Yuri I mean is I guess to use of reservists serving the combined press information center by the way he's a pilot who has I don't know if you helicopter pilot I don't know if he's a fish out of water in doing this kind of work that he's with some interest -- stuff that he does coordinating travel for journalists in theater for example the journalist at time magazine wants to cover story in Mosul. He funds -- unit that will that below host him arranged to transportation's moves add -- the complications. And if he gets his button -- there's the captain at a bail amount good morning captain January welcomed the WRKO. That's fantastic gesture that was my dad I'm not military ghetto that you don't need to refer to me is served by any stretch of the imagination -- I haven't about right you're helicopter pilot who has turned assistant to newsman earth the -- to help and news people will be able to that in two the the Iraq situation.

If that is correct sir I would have been floated duty -- services -- but yeah over here direct. On I have to have a change roles in this time when involved more yet. To facilitate transportation for media in and around the country wouldn't you prefer to via helicopter. Well of course but you know oftentimes you don't roster what you want but -- still very challenging task today that I enjoy it very much have got to meet. It's amazing people -- that just but the fact of getting folks' health care in seeing the stories they print to whatever. People -- media organization that is its its traditional Serb where are jobless worthwhile what we're hoping that the good story so. And letting people become more aware of what's happening in and around Iraq.

There's always been -- support for the press corps from the military however in years past and wars past a few well it's never been quite this open in in in this supportive to the extent that there is no censoring there is no. Not a direct involvement with the reporter other than to help him or her gettin' too. A position to do whatever stories they want to do me -- look look look why don't we try something here. Let's say I was coming out to. Iraq to do a story on Kurdish children. I was -- you going to school and you and you had mind you have the problem of getting me up there how would you go about helping me out.

Now the way it works Serge first we get your request to commit to us we have but few -- to a report that need to be processed through. In what we do this particular question given to us and we sent it off to our folks in the northern Iraq. Basically there are different segments of Iraq -- can indeed north that Barbara eight major support unit or division. Upn and indeed what we have right now. Well we dues which have requested them -- in turn turn to their units and so it gave me this report that would like to commit. This distorted like to do who can best facilitate that request. In each of these units will get back to their community yet you know these destroyers were doing as well we can help always and that we recently -- the best story possible there.

I get yourself and then you would go work to to physically get my him. But up they were that he get blown off too badly.

Yes -- we have a great team in Kuwait basically most reporters coming from anywhere in the world goes through Kuwait we have our media relations -- Be coordinate with yourself keep separate slate of let's say Logan's Kuwait and New York to Kuwait. Indeed let them know what you landing Kuwait we have folks they're ready to receive view at a local Starbucks leader not particular -- Starbucks. I'm just processed -- Starbucks in everywhere.

Please any Duncan does all of that could see on the don't condone the other guys were gonna it was funny I was hosted that -- a week ago and they actually had to Dunkin' Donuts in the loss there it was put in -- is your -- me not -- Duncan donuts with an English and that written in Arabic breakfast toward is quite -- footage and things to say that. You didn't get a job my -- do a search -- get a picture of that -- did you Benitez. You know what one of my buddies did what I can do is oh on Richard -- it would have -- to train on -- must summon up.

Fantastic every because and I love to post it. I like doing the kind of it was out of them that's different going to be not a common it's totally out of the out of put -- Whether -- be Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts and in the Middle East do you kidding yeah that -- me -- you question now I know eat in Moslem countries alcohol is frowned upon subtle like alcohol in you to. And how about how bout of north -- and the Kurds it at a very open minded dare use the word liberal at least compared to their to their counterparts other things like package stores and bars -- place him you know. Like -- club.

Well from -- taste in haven't spent much time in the Kurdish area of Iraq. But from my understanding most of Iraq does sell there are -- we can purchase alcohol. Throughout the country in the accuracy it is all a little more it will blow up -- northern Iraq where things are. It's seems more read about northern Iraq can hear the stories -- that -- area of course not shipped by as much violence as others -- act. So a lot more investing -- like countries developed. When he flow -- progress step in being made it quite significantly up there so the basic necessities are being met and noble ones -- also being that -- Whether it's. You know like maybe as Starbucks of the going up there soon. You know maybe with a -- source everything -- probably are available to answer.

Probably in the Starbucks as I don't know -- their coffee would be the only would carry them out there eaten the in in Iraq view and the -- you get out of the outside the green zone very often.

Not as often as they did last summer's here. But there are times we have media missions where but allowed the industries and its support and to have what's called the media day. And basically they were about restored they want to crypto analyst meeting get exposure to. -- setup mission -- you know five or ten media representatives from different organizations. Grouped together in Britain and so location worker -- interact but a lot of times myself for a individuals local. There's a slash chaperones liaison between the units were going to be.

And Andrea how do you feel once you're outside the zone Leighton do you have a and feelings of apprehension. Do you have do you go through the flak jacket and helmet retain or bury -- are we beyond that at this point.

No we you know what we go oh this is certain readiness status we have to maintain. That you cannot forever on the -- Lotta -- we have our idea here individual body armor you know RI EC HR against comment helmets on. -- now with our weapons so we always maintained that. You know disposition that we are still in the war environments the things have calmed down quite a bit in the -- its nationals it was a lot of security you can never be too carefully to -- too complacent Sony's missions were -- outside. Of the green zone we -- and that's -- type of attitude is and you know. You never know what to capitol XP appeared bubbling below their is a great sense of security as well what are we -- the difference. This support mean period they always have a lot of soldiers there you know all they're doing their jobs -- trying to -- of that. Space environment.

Our guest from Iraq the Saturday morning as army captain Michael -- Gary used from must south -- is your home still in South Boston.

Just -- certain. So when you come back you're going to be back to -- the year in your roots.

You missile will be going back -- plus you missile. I do very much. This time it's a lot better to the communication lines and able to -- place in the -- to three times a week if not more plus writing letters and email. But made it quite a difference from my friends were here like -- during desert storm didn't itself -- changed reported that the communication is you know if anything it's great. Now -- you married do you have children I got married at this time certain a lot -- children the military is taking away quite a bit but that's going to get back.

The bee lined up at your doorstep of this -- and we just so one hand he'll -- half a behave myself here know your your local guy would you do in the in civilian life but no this year or your member of the reserve.

Playing in the civilian like -- actually -- fitness program manager for the Boston sports club. I run the the -- forced problem will stick to street had been do it's about six years now.

But produces dissolve the -- get by at like that doing a -- you know maintain a certain physics and doctor. By so you'd just me you're you're polite you're polite in Euro also humble.

You have to pay respect to have to if you had an opportunity to attack two by two young people -- But with prompting this -- is what's going on in Berkeley California I'm not sure appear up on what's happening over there what's some of the black jobs trying to force the Marines. Out of -- Berkeley you know and they digest -- a yes code pink. Doesn't know about the marine mentality you know that the -- the more you push him heartedly pushed back. A that the trying to can come I mean how you guys react and do you have any marine friends. Who were familiar with what's going on on how to they personally react when -- stories like that.

You know I got rid of a priest acceptable what's going on over there Berkeley and I have never talked to anyone -- Marines friends about it. But you know overall distrust of the folks that are here deployed in Iraq. We just can't see -- as you know maybe a lack of understanding you know. Most of time bookstore in the military war -- that this but the reason north policy in the roots are just for new challenge to -- better help people. Most of folks and of course -- in Iraq are actually here -- with the local -- trying to stories trying to help trying to make things better. Sort of -- folks doing what they're doing on Berkeley. The credit she was needed -- not quite as educated on how things are happening as they should be. And it's it's kind of sad about that but you'd figure folks to just sit down and talk about things they can they understand what's going on.

Do you get to interact with the Iraqi people at all and he. -- whether it be businesspeople or government people -- just ordinary citizens so who may be working for for the government.

Yes they do on repeatedly basis whether it's Iraqi media coming in war we deal not with -- folks government of Iraq. Individuals that are working with the us yes we do -- not obligated eighteen assists.

The American -- to create relationships -- friendships you know personal friendships with any of these and these folks that -- working with.

I have to say yes to no matter what we interact with folks you know anywhere you are in the world. You know district versus other flock together for certain certain things -- our church to people. In here we're more directed at work with are putting their best foot forward you know a lot of accompanying to work. No it is dangerous to them and of him he's trying to make Iraq a better place. They -- to develop relationships with a lot of folks -- consider a lot of -- difference.

Take a look at the fund side of the world tomorrow night as a based Stater at -- in fact. I suspect your mind will be in Glendale Arizona would that be a fair thing to say.

It is very fair and I must say we have a we record he's 51 inch plasma TV and hopefully the -- thirty or forty of us the book to any -- on patriots.

To say am -- we're trying to figure out the timer earlier it's an eight hour difference I take them and yes yet are. Giant -- Iraqis get a chance knew that you deal with get a chance to it to watcher to witness this insanity week many of us go through four over a lousy football team and that they look at us and think we're weird ordered they just simply say. -- compared to lessen soccer that's just now let's kind of models.

Game you know what that's what this state they understand our you know our situation was sports. What would be football or with the Red Sox with baseball. A convicted care much like what they do -- soccer like when the Iraqis one the Asian cup. There was a lot of celebratory fire a lot of celebration everywhere.

A lot of people just it was believed that had been shot in the year a record yet they take a little -- we do but I can say they'd understand don't want to -- virtually -- it meets these just.

It is almost in comical though what date you were I know we do some stupid things here too in Boston. I can recall you know using the Johnny on the spots as canoes running them down the streets and all the stuff the so I guess we connected we cannot wacky too after our teams win in the Super Bowl when the World Series or what have you but how would you compare we -- we're here for your for couple of the world's clear I would think of one of the World Series. At least end certainly a couple of the Super Bowl wins how would you compare. Our activities after the postgame activities two how lovely folks out in Baghdad -- reacted when they team won the the Asian cup.

You know I'd have to say we're we're pretty mild you know we're soccer it. Team well in the states it's seems like folks really likes football and kind of like baseball or use your dedicated to one sport. Where everybody here is absolutely -- percent dedicated to soccer. So it's just where we'll have. It'll large group of people boxed in they have a large group of people all over Iraq celebrating its name. It is different this guilt and number of people that are celebrating for the win.

No we -- if we lose we just get depressed have a few more beers go to bed next day go to work can we forget about it if we win we have -- more beers go to bed. Next day go to work we have to forget about it. -- because word demands that but I understand they of this hangs on this lingers for awhile.

Yes it does the other to constant topic of conversation and apparently that's a possible Iraqi buddies about the about the soccer --

this still think you know that last one. Of course we didn't carry -- Billy Buckner around and our heart for allowing time didn't wait has cut -- was real southern statement saying forget hell in the Yankee fans would let us forget you run into any Yankee fans out -- now.

Of course we have a -- Massachusetts units in here I'm working but the law also. You know National Guard soldiers from -- horrible over the country so that individuals from New York as a whole unit. Or very different individuals who come from New York to help still other units yes we run into the refugees stand all the time effect over christmas certitude you to stand. Well I was just of this and handed out presents a -- that they had a a Yankee stocking cap on per for christmas.

And -- that's going to be painful quietly captain is there anyone around he would like to say hello to and -- that friends or family.

gladly consider a little -- Lamont camp in the strategy in mind sisters Lindsay -- you'll -- much.

Big family good for you. By the way for your own mafia benefit and for theirs -- happen to be listing listening after sometimes either later today or tomorrow depending on what the producers schedule is we will have this interview posted in the book we refer to as the WRKO audio ball Italy have to do is go to RW RKO dot com. Look for the little thing that talked about the ordeal archive though when there look for Iraq in the months -- inside there it'll find a comment on this interview. And the entire interview is there for them to be able to listen to on their computer and you don't let out an interactive you can do in Iraq it's legal. However detective lieutenant victor. I he told the analysts okay listen if you run into my pal David Petraeus Solomon says hello. And thank your era well I understand he's he's coming home I hope that's for good reasons. Mission accomplished -- capture pictures mission accomplished with a -- listen I appreciate your being with us this morning thank you for your service. -- previous safety enjoy the patriots game tomorrow night I'm predicting 3117 pats.

Button. I haven't but of course we're -- going to be sure until. The game is over remember the gently back. With both the with both to walk a little -- is by the way the wind that way to spell a name now and JIT and T. -- must be that's what -- some. -- Are right captain good talking to you god bless you be safe say hello to everyone that we've we've talked to before and -- form when you. Thank you much great credit. I kept -- from South Boston serving the United States serving the United States in Baghdad interest in -- and and I need to get someone in to pollution to talk to the mayor there doing a problem doing this story doing a feature on people who hold elective office and and you know and hot places where that was terrible stuff happening that too -- like to see what's happening with the waterworks over there. Whatever his job is to find a unit that can accommodate. Such an individual and alarmed about doing work. He in World War II. Virtually all stories not for -- all stories had to go through the sensors. And they would redact or take out whatever. They thought was necessary to take out and some of it had to do with security some of it had to do with politics I would yes. In politics it's and everything so alike mud you know -- all over the place and in. Vietnam it was a little bit lower open but not a heck of a lot more and he did get a lot more pictures of me in the fifty. You begin to have the means to to get stuff going wearing away he took fell Monday he used to video Tuesday I can recall that kind of thing -- what the Japanese which Japanese company was that made. They videotape recorder using cassettes. You could actually get video on to settle in the best on the world but you could get video and cassettes and Kai -- made. And take a IKA a for Japanese island they name. But two a friend of mine carried them -- the the units were not much larger. Then the dvd hand held units of today. -- very small very compact very easy to use and the battery the batteries were believed were right alkaline batteries I don't know if they had alkaline back in those days alkaline battery but they -- they used regular heavy duty batteries. And it would -- the batteries would last tip for at least two or three recordings and the new brought that back -- you -- play it back from that from that camera or through a special player but that never caught I don't know why maybe because of the quality of the for the pictures I know I used the few times it is very easy to use -- easier than the dvd player and use. -- Now the of the doors wide open over there all right -- to things from here on in I'm going to leave it to you. Leaving up to you we're either going to get very serious about but we we're talking about before which was you know what we do about the had a files to a being released and literally put in to ties are laps number two we could talk about the presidential race and number three we can talk a little bit. About football and it doesn't have to be you know they have reduced to sports station. Believe they know talking about all. No she played the game really it's kind of tough talk about. All right we did those are the choices and didn't care to make your prediction for what probably got a couple predictions here. Rachel -- with your prediction for two more tell me what you think about it we're in radio we can't Clinton radio you have to.

A a a and up and it went when he won.

Okay when do you do you think correct two touchdowns to eject them I'm gonna say 3117 I think the the in New York -- going to gently take at least one field go one for three did that last week with two weeks ago with Green -- right with one for three. And when we came down the stretch tomorrow online they're going to kick a field be about it can I don't see the patriots letting the giants score touchdowns once they get into the red -- That's the one click that has been the most significant part patriots deepens. The yields -- used to be an adage the Yankees you bend of which you don't snap. That's the -- that the patriots deep -- we'll talk more about that just ahead more laws a year with you on Boston's talk station in the world championship city. Of Boston Mac to -- AM six AD WRKO