Bowling for Iraq--Unusual Donation for Troops

When Doyle Claxton of United Bowling in Yulee received an e-mail from a soldier in Iraq asking if his unit could get two bowling lanes, he knew this was a wish he could fulfill.

Master Sgt. Robert Beane of Ft. Riley, Kan., who is currently stationed in Iraq, contacted Claxton through the United Bowling website. In making his request, Beane stated he and his unit rarely get down time, but the time they do get is priceless.

The Army does its best to keep the troops entertained.

"They try to come up with things like karaoke and stuff like that," said Beane in a phone call to the News-Leader from Iraq.

"But unless it comes from the States, a band or a singer, there's not too much else for us to do around here."

Beane, who is a semi-professional bowler back home, said he was kidded by friends who said, "What are you going to do when you get over there, Beane? How are you going to bowl?"

Beane said he'd throw down some plywood and make a lane that way if he had to, but thanks to Claxton, he and the other bowlers in his unit will soon have real bowling lanes.

"It's exciting!" said Beane. "Nothing like this has ever been done before so we're doing a lot of work on this end, trying to make everything happen."

Getting the bowling equipment to the soldiers involves having it delivered to a military base where it will be shipped to the troops overseas.

"We've had this idea for quite some time, but never had much extra time to focus on it," said Claxton, who is footing the bill for the project.

Two lanes normally cost approximately $120,000 installed. Overseas shipments are usually between $4,000 to $5,000, but this will be handled by the U.S. military.

With no professional installer on base, Claxton said he will provide the necessary manuals and documentation to make it as easy as possible for the troops to install the lanes.

"We can also communicate via e-mail for further assistance," Claxton said.

The two-lane bowling alley will be simple to set up and will also have to withstand the harsh desert environment.

"Everything will be old-school, with no complex pin-setting machines or electronic scoring. The pins will have to be set by hand and the score added manually, but it is the most ideal scenario for the circumstances," said Claxton.

Read the rest at the News Leader, Fernandina Beach.