Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Col Sharon Bannister

I met Col Bannister at Manus. I was eager to meet the females of the military as they were a juxtaposition of being woman and being a warrior. They had a tough exterior that made them unapproachable. I didn't want to mess with them, but I was a person on a mission so I had to force myself to crack their exterior. In most cases all it took was a simple smile and an introduction. There were a few who didn't want to talk to me no matter what. I have my own idea of what that was about.

Col Bannister made special time for me out of her busy schedule being Chief Medical Officer at Manus Base. This is a demanding job that she seemed to handle with ease and grace. I found those to be traits of hers. Her job Stateside is just as demanding, but entirely different. Col Bannister is the officer who calls the orders during a dignified transfer.

We talked equally about her job at Manus and at Dover. Her career couldn't be more fitting given her history with the Military. At the young age of six she was indoctrinated into the side of the military that deals with death. On March 7th, 1972 three days prior to her sixth birthday her father's F4 was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. What followed was the circuitous route that fate sometimes takes us to find where we belong and can do the most good.

Col Bannister is an amazing women for her grace and courage. I can't help but wonder what her thoughts were a week or so ago at Dover during the dignified transfer of the 30 Americans who could not be separated for identification.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes

As I write this post various emotions pass through me. I have just turned in my book proposal for Bullets In My Pocket, to the agent. Writing a book proposal is almost as difficult as writing the book, as it outlines the book in its entirety. I only opened the sealed fed-ex envelope once to add something. It's very hard to let a work that has encompassed your life for an entire year go. It was just last July when I had the idea to go to Afghanistan to hug warriors and let them know that they are not forgotten and are appreciated. It's the first step in the process of getting my book published and out to you.

My mixed emotions come from the news of the helicopter that was shot down on Friday killing all on board. NATO Crash: Team Seal Six Members Killed in Afghanistan - ABC News

 I wonder how this conflict in Afghanistan will end. I can not help but bring to mind the fall of Saigon in 1975. I wonder how many of us remember or even know how this conflict began. It began because of our incessant need for oil. The US backed the Taliban as the safe keepers of an oil pipeline to run through Afghanistan...a country that has been at war for 3000 years. After learning of the atrocities against women the Taliban purports we did a 180 degree turn to protect the people of Afghanistan from them.

It is a strange day and age. The US credit rating has been lowered. Our elected officials seem to have very little idea of what life and economics are like for the average citizen or have conveniently forgotten and are advocates for huge corporations and no longer their constituents voice. They don't even finish their job...a work ethic that is an embarrassment.

We need to pull together and stop placing the blame and solve the issues. One step at a time, the first always being the hardest.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Schofield Barracks

Being deployed out of Hawaii with the 25th Division, Tropic Lighting, Broncos, I was at Schofield Barracks for one night.

When I went out to the local shopping center on base I was surprised to see so many people out of uniform and not carrying a gun. It may sound obvious because I was in the United States, but I was used to the military in uniform carrying their weapon as another appendage.

Waiting to deploy was one of the longest days of my life. I tried to put myself in the soldiers frame of mine. It was probably one of their shortest days. Full of anticipation, angst and sadness. For many going off to war the first time is an exciting moment full of romanticism, patriotic duty and a chance to prove their metal. For others it is a job and requires separation from their families for a year. For all it is the unknown of if they will return...or not.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - deployment Manus and Bagram

Writing about deployment brings so many feelings back. The first deployment you have the anxiety of what the war is going to be like. Of course you've seen pictures and heard stories, but nothing captures the reality and you know this. War is different for everyone. It's not only about the visuals, but about the sounds, the smells and the taste. These sensory perceptions will stay with you forever.

The second deployment you face the boredom. It is unbelievably boring and tedious to deploy. With an itinerary designed by the government it generally takes one week to get to your base "in country" where it takes a civilian about two full days. It's not because of the circuitous route and security issues, but because of the waiting. "Hurry up and wait." was definitely coined in the US Military.

Manus...waiting...notice the silk pillow.

Stuck in Bagram and making the best of it.

A troop knows what to expect during their deployment and it's almost unbearable. But a second deployment has it's advantages. You know more about comfort. Being in a foreign country where people want to kill you a person definitely wants to make their down time as comfortable as possible.

Red White & Blue Veteran's Farm - Jacksonville

The other day I had the privilege of being at the Red White & Blue Veteran's Farm in Jacksonville.

This farm is the brainchild of Adam Burke a wounded Veteran of Iraq. With the help of his wife, Michelle they've organized funding and volunteers to create this sanctuary of 8.5 acres for wounded veterans to farm.

There will be a total of 15,000 blueberry bushes. On this day 1,500 were delivered. Here are the guys that unloaded the bushes and worked on the irrigation system. 

It wasn't easy getting these guys to pose as they had a lot of bushes

to unload, plant and irrigate before the day was over.

The bushes are planted in raised planters so the veteran can maneuver easily down the rows to pick the berries and tend the bushes.

It was a great day at the Red White & Blue Blueberry Farm. Everyone has worked really hard both physically and spiritually to make this happen. Click here to see more and how you can help.