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Here you can go through the duffel bag Thompson brought back from Iraq. There are over 100 items to be catalogued on this site, so check often for new materials.
NEW ITEMS: Last updated February 12, 2006
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The Duffel Bag Golden Saddam Relief 1st Armored Division Commanding General's Coin Future Baath Party Official Photo of Iraqi Officers Two Iraqi soldiers Drawing by Iraqi child Iraqi actors Original photo of Qusay Hussein Iraqi passport Inside passport Paper distributed by Coalition Forces Shoulder insignia for officer recruits Corporal Thompson's dog tags Iraqi stamps from the Saddam era Iraqi Army identification card Front view of Iraqi Republican Guard identification card Rustimiya Officers Academy patch Iraqi Republican Guard orders Iraqi Airlines boarding pass Iraqi boarding pass Iraqi diplomat's U.S. visa Iraqi Coins Book by Saddam Hussein Iranian money Unidentified black book with Iraqi seal Iraqi Airlines luggage tag for Beruit Psychological Operations pokes fun at Saddam PSYOPS flier in Arabic Thugs pose for a photograph in Al-Kut Iraqi Army identification Unidentified Iraqi stamp (adhesive backed) Koranic Ceramic Plate Iraqi Airlines luggage tag for Rome Qatari Dinar Doha Golf Club drink coaster Cavalry Coin Iraqi Officer College Medal Iraqi Medal found at Officers College First Armored Division Coin for Reenlistment Officers Academy Pin First Armored Division Desert Patch Copper Plate Sanscrit Leather Work Silver Camel in Frame Ceramic Palm with Verse Glazed Ceramic Date Palm Clay Image of Iraqi Scribe Small Copper Dish Large Copper Plate Depicting Historical Sites Iranian Jewelry Box Iraqi Glass Art Painted Boxes Iraqi Ceremic Art Iraqi Ceramic Art Iraqi 20 Dinar with Saddam Iraqi Glass Art Wedding Picture Christian Cross Engraved in Crystal Clay Picture from Babylon Jewelry Box Koranic Verses Painting Leather Disc with Iraqi History Copper Plate of Summara Silver Items found in Iraq This is an example of a duffel bag Thompson brought back from Iraq. The items contained in my duffel bag are shown in the following frames. More items will be added continously. The author found this golden Saddam plate at the Rustamiya Officers College in east Baghdad. It was found underneath piles of rubble. It was used to adorne part of an old former British building. Found in August 03. Given to the author by the Commanding General for service in Iraq. October 2004 The author found this photo at the Rustimiya Officers Academy theater. June 2003. This photo was found by the author at the Rustimiya Officers Academy. The two pictured seem to be standing in a cold enviroment, not typical of middle Iraq. They are wearing British-style uniforms. (June 2003) Photo found in an abandoned chow hall by the author on the Rustimiya Officers Academy. (June 2003) Found by author on the grounds of the Saddam Hussein Museum of Gifts to Saddam Hussein (actual name) in Baghdad. Drawing was a gift to Saddam on display. (June 2003) Found by author on the grounds of the Baghdad Performing Arts Center on the main parade ground in Baghdad. The photo shows several actors posing next to a set. (June 2003) This original photo of Qusay Hussein was found by the author at the Rustimiya Officers Academy. It shows Qusay touring the facility where the photo was found (the base theater and auditorium). (2003) Many passports were stolen from the main passport office during the looting that took place shortly after the fall of Baghdad. Here is one found by the author. (2003) Passport depicts Saddam Hussein and asks that the person carrying the passport be granted passage and fair treatment abroad. (2003) These flyers were given out to Iraqis when Saddam was caught in December 2003. This was worn on the shoulders of those attending the Rustimiya Officers Academy. (2003) Only one a few items that Thompson wore on him at all times. These tags were around his neck during two potentially deadly attacks. Many Iraqi storekeepers sold tokens of the former regime's past. One example of these collectables were old postage stamps. One stamp commemorates the bombing of an Iraqi shelter by George Bush Sr. during the first Gulf War. Found by the author near a pile of abandonned Republican Guard uniforms at the main parade grounds (crossed sabers) in Baghdad. The front of the previous card found at the main parade grounds in Baghdad. Found in the abandoned Quartermaster's building at the compound near Al-Rashid airfield. Found in June 2003. One of many written orders found amongst abandoned Republican Guard uniforms in a restroom complex on the main parade grounds in Baghdad. Found in May 03. Found by the author in the abandoned Saddam International Airport in December 2003. Visas and airport documents littered the polished airport floors. Found by the author in the Saddam International Airport. Thompson's book tells of walking through a gutted Iraqi Airways 747 and the Saddam International Airport. Found in Dec. 2003. An amazing and telling document, this passport reveals the travel history of this government worker. This page show his U.S. visa allowing him entry to New York City (to visit the U.N.) and a 20 mile restriction extending from JFK airport. Purchased by author from Iraqi vendor in Baghdad. Like stamps, coins were sold to soldiers as collectors items. July 2003 Probably not the Iraqi version of "How to be Popular and Make Friends," this book explains the beliefs and doctrines of the Baath Party. Found at the Rustimiya Academy in Aug. 2003. From the Islamic Republic of Iran, this banknote was purchased from an Iraqi bank by the author at the Al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad. December 2003 This book has not been identified, but has places for a picture within. Maybe it is a form of identification. Found Nov. 2003. Found at the Saddam International Airport on Sept. 11, 2003. Download a replica of this tag on the homepage.. Widely distributed in Iraq by PSYOPS units to encourage Iraqis to read Baghdad Now, an Army public affairs newspaper in Arabic and English. The fliers received a mixed reaction. Nov. 2003 Widely distributed in Iraq by PSYOPS units to encourage Iraqis to read Baghdad Now, an Army public affairs newspaper in Arabic and English. The fliers received a mixed reaction. Nov. 2003 The man dressed in black is the former television station director of Al-Kut. In the background stand several young Mahdi Army recruits (see green headbands). Thompson moved into the Kut television station, where he found this photo in the director's office desk. Hundreds of men like the ones standing behind the Sadr supporter were killed in fighting with coalition forces across southern Iraq. Found in April 2004 in Al-Kut. Similar to the green passport, this document carried various information about the soldier who posessed it. Found Feb 2004. Found mixed in with several other documents and passport photos found by the author in a shoe box in Baghdad. Jan. 2004 Purchased in Qatar during leave. Meaning of the writing is unclear. March 2004 Found at the Saddam International Airport on Sept. 11, 2003. Soon you can download an exact replica of this tag on this site for novelty use or as a bookmark. Used by the author during his short visit to Qatar. March 2004 Brought back from Doha, Qatar after Thompson's short rest and relaxation trip to the small desert nation. Feb. 2004 Given to Thompson by the replacing unit in Baghdad. Mar. 2004 Found at the Rustimiya Officers Academy in east Baghdad. Believed to be an award associated with graduation or service. July 2003 Medal found in a uniform supply room on the Rustimiya Officers Academy compound. July 2003 This coin was awarded to those who chose to reenlist while in Iraq. While Thompson did not reenlist in Iraq, he was able to obtain a coin. Jan. 2004 Found in a wooden case full of brass uniform buttons, this was one of many devices Thompson found. They are very thin and made out of tin. July 2003 Unlike the in first Gulf War, soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom were issued desert versions of their division patches. This is one of Thompson's brought back from Iraq. July 2004 Image on plate depicts a creature part man, lion, and falcon. Purchased at the Martyrs Monument in Baghdad. December 2003 From Babylon, Iraq this leatherwork shows some of the different characters of their early language. Purchased from Iraqi squatter through a barbed-wire fence. November 2003 Purchased at the Post Exchange at the Baghdad International Airport. January 2004 Arabic verse from Koran depicted on this item purchased from an Iraqi artist at a bazaar. January 2003 Gift from Assad to Thompson from Babylon, Iraq. February 2004 Purchased from Iraqi artist at bazaar. January 2004 Found by Thompson after arriving in Baghdad at the Saddam Hussein Museum of Gifts to Saddam Hussein. June 2003 This large copper plate depicts scenes from Babylon and the tower in Summara. Made from thin copper pounded with a hammer. Purchased by Thompson for $12 from Iraqi storekeeper. April 2004 Purchased by Thompson in Qatar from Iranian artist. March 2004 Thompson purchased this framed glass work from an Iraqi artist in Baghdad. It's made of stained glass, with different segments seperated by a raised line of resin. March 2004 Made from a paper mache-like material, these painted boxes were sold widely across the region by the Post Exchange. These were purchased in Kuwait. July 2004 Purchased from ceremic artist in Baghdad. There were also much larger pieces available. This one measures about the size of a regular dinner plate. January 2004 Iraqi ceremic art is very interesting. These are only a small sample of the wide range of ceramic art available. Some artists made modern, abstract pottery with Babylonian themes. Thompson bought this for $5 in Baghdad. Iraqis ceremic art has yet to be discovered due to the security situation. January 2004 Given as a gift to Thompson from a Kurdish friend. The backside features the Martyrs Monument in Baghdad. April 2004 This colorful work depicts an Iraqi wedding. Other works were available showing and Iraqi cutting open watermellons with a large knife. These did not sell too well because of the rise in beheadings in Iraq at the time. Thompson bought this from an Iraqi artist. March 2004 Given as a gift to Thompson from an Iraqi Muslim friend on the Rustimiya complex in East Baghdad. Iraqis were very giving people, even when it seemed they did not have anything. February 2003 This gift to Thompson from Assad shows a person playing an Arab violin. This was made by an Iraqi artist in Babylon. April 2004 Sold widely in bazaars, this box was purchased at a bazaar in Baghdad. It is made of inlayed opal and other materials. January 2004 Found by Thompson at the Baghdad Parade Gounds when his unit arrived there. Many paintings (of no value) were blowing across the parade grounds or ripped apart in the adjacent museum. June 2003 Purchased from Iraqi squatter through a barbed-wire fence. Depicts different historical aspects of Iraq. Made of leather and cardboard. November 2003 Polished copper plate purchased at the Martyrs Monument in central Baghdad. Made by hammering copper plate with a hammer. October 2003 Various itmes found at the Saddam Parade Grounds in Baghdad. A tea set was also found (of no value) in the security offices of the grounds left exactly as they were abandonned. Other copper and silver items could be found scattered all around. June 2003
The Duffel Bag This is an example of a duffel bag Thompson brought back from Iraq. The items contained in my duffel bag are shown in the following frames. More items will be added continously.
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Author's notes: All the items cataloged in the duffel bag are actual items photographed or brought back by the author. All images are original and the items are not to be reproduced for other than academic uses. Reproduction of official travel documents for fraudulent purposes is in violation of international laws. |
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