I may be a war correspondent but I find the real peril these days is delving into Super Bowl politics, so I officially won’t pick up a team. But this year’s game takes on a special meaning for the troops serving in Iraq. No, your U.S. military has not been overrun by Cardinals or Steelers fans. It’s overflowing with beer, two beers for each solider, sailor, airman and Marine to be exact. For the first time, U.S. troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink two beers while watching the Super Bowl. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the top military commander, signed off on the order, in part to lift the spirits of his troops, he said, many have served multiple deployments without a drop of alcohol. Odierno said he got the request from one small unit and decided to approve it for them and everyone else.

It sounds small, but it’s become a big deal. Football has always been an important part of life in Iraq and Afghanistan for the troops. Somewhere along the way, sports became a necessary connection to home.  I have found the most remote bases somehow find a way to get games on their television sets. I’ve seen fights break out of people wanting to change the channel off of football. And to add beer to the equation, well that changes everything. Troops are clamoring over it. What kind of beer will they ship in? Is it better to drink them fast or savor each sip? What will it be like to drink beer again? My friend Wright Thompson at ESPN has written a great piece about this, which I will link to tomorrow.

 So when you are watching the game this Sunday, lift a can for the troops in Iraq. Half a world away, they may be lifting one to you as well.