Tv News

Host: The highly disputed war in Iraq continues to be a controversial topic. As some U.S. soldiers are entertained with the latest movies, others find themselves lacking prominent war supplies.

Rachel Peregrim reports:

The Iraq war has cost the U.S. about $364 billion and continues to cost the government about $150 million a day. As we approach the 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion, the funds continue to add up and many soldiers are not just entertained by the latest movies. In fact, many of them write home requesting family to send the much needed attire and supplies.

Depending on what base a soldier is predestined to reveals just how challenging their stay is going to be. Soldiers stationed in Baghdad are much more equipped than those stationed on smaller bases. The Baghdad base provides commodities such as clothing stores, Burger King and coffee shops, while soldiers on smaller bases are struggling to find AA batteries for their flashlights.

Soldiers stationed on smaller bases have one military store and one or two food stores restricting them to the only gear and supplies provided.

SOUNDBITE: "Our PX (like a general store) is really small and doesn't have a lot of stuff. The Haj stores have other stuff in them but certain kinds of batteries, hygiene products and any type of clothing is hard to find."

As if facing the enemy isn't a risk in itself, U.S. soldiers must risk their lives in a sea of landmines and IED's in order to get those supplies. If they're lucky, they can ask a fellow combatant is who is going to the main base.

.

SOUNDBITE: "If someone is going to a different base, we'll give them money to pick stuff up for us but it doesn't happen that often."

As