When I was in Balad at FOB Paliwoda, we had a PA system that was used for 2 reasons. It was used to announce out-going fires or incoming fires. Incoming means that the post was under rocket or mortar attack and that happened 3-5 days a week. When it was keyed it had a three tone ascending chime. It became reflex to jump for cover when you heard it because you might not hear what was being said...only the chimes and you didn't want to be caught in the open when rounds started hitting.

Now....what are the odds of finding someplace here with the exact same kind of PA system? Apparently pretty damned good. I was in a Walmart grabbing some cheap golf balls I could sacrifice to the ponds and treelines and there it was.....'bling Bling BLING'. I went into a squat and was looking for cover before the tones even finished. I was about to yell at people for not moving out to cover when I realized where I was. I stood up and looked around to see who saw me and there was a little child in a carriage looking at me a laughing that innocent little baby laugh. I made a few faces at her that I knew would keep her laughing and then I left. I've been to a Walmart once since then........