Bond Street Theatre - Beyond The Mirror

I usually don't promote anything, but I was lucky to meet these brave artist when I was in Afghanistan. If you'd like to help them with their cause, please contact: Joanna Sherman or Anna Zastrow at: 212-254-4614 or anna@bondst.org

Six Afghan theatre troupes, including three all female groups, brought news about voting rights to villages in six provinces in Afghanistan over the last nine months to promote the April 5th elections. Performing for thousands of citizens in a wide range of locations, even in homes, the groups presented entertaining plays that demonstrated the value of every vote.

Many citizens were unaware of voting rights and procedures, especially in rural areas and among young voters and women. The plays provided information about who has the right to vote, how to register, signs of fraud and where to report it, in an engaging format.

Since women are limited in their ability to travel, the three all female troupes played in centers for women, girls's schools, shuras, shelters and women's prisons. They even gathered neighborhood women in private homes to present their play. Women stand to gain or lose the most with the new leadership.

Afghanistan 2014 Will we pull out?

White House Press Briefing

25 February 2014

Following are excerpts of the White House press briefing related to U.S. foreign policy and international engagement. The full transcript of the press briefing is available on the White House website.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Washington, D.C.
February 25, 2014

PRESS BRIEFING
BY PRESS SECRETARY JAY CARNEY

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 
1:11 P.M. EST

Q And I just want to get back to the President’s call to President Karzai. It is a fact that if this bilateral security agreement is not signed that there will be no troops?

MR. CARNEY: Yes, correct.

Q By December 31st, they’ll all be gone?

MR. CARNEY: Absolutely.

Q No wavering on that?

MR. CARNEY: Absent a BSA, there will not be any U.S. troops on the ground beyond the end of the year.

Read more: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/02/20140226294117.html?CP.rss=true#ixzz2uTLD9iXL

However...it appears that there is no deadline for Karzai to sign the BSA.

Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders "Call Me Maybe" vs U.S. Troops "Call Me Maybe"

Another year and another Christmas our soldiers are still in Afghanistan. I'm glad to see that some of the soldiers can embrace the moment and have a little fun.

Please don't forget them. Let's make an effort to make sure our government knows we want them home! We want our soldiers out of Afghanistan!

Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders "Call Me Maybe" vs U.S. Troops "Call Me Maybe"

Another year and another Christmas our soldiers are still in Afghanistan. I'm glad to see that some of the soldiers can embrace the moment and have a little fun.

Please don't forget them. Let's make an effort to make sure our government knows we want them home! We want our soldiers out of Afghanistan!

The right of the US Military to Vote

We are still in Afghanistan. I've hesitated to write this post as it saddens my heart, all the soldiers lost forever physically and mentally.

The latest US casualty is:

11-03-2013 Forest W. Roberston, US, Sergeant 1st Class age 35 small arms hostile fire in Logar Province. He will be remembered by all who knew him, his family, friends and brothers and sisters in arms. He has become a statistic in a war that continues indefinitely whether we the United States are a part of it or not because our President elected to go to war.

Ironically, Veteran's Day falls one week after, Election Day, our national day to vote. Did you know that unless a service member files for an absentee ballot he or she isn't allowed to vote for the President of the United States who makes the decision to go or not to go to war. Isn't this crazy! Our military representative, who oftentimes is deployed overseas and cannot vote or whose vote isn't counted because it's absentee ballot.

I believe all active members of the military should be allowed to vote anywhere in the United States using their current Military I.D. and if they're deployed they should have a separate Military Ballot that is counted.

I mean…it's only fair.

Shutdown does affect Military Families -

There are no words to write about this.

Our military is still in Afghanistan and still dying. The Afghan Taliban is now supporting Pakistani militants and providing sanctuary for them...
Shutdown outrage: Military death benefits denied to families of fallen troops

By Cheryl K. Chumley

-

The Washington Times

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

At least five families of U.S. military members killed during in Afghanistan over the weekend were given a double-whammy by federal officials: Not only have your loved ones died, but due to the government shutdown, you won’t receive a death benefit.
The benefit is $100,000 and is wired to family members of the killed military member within 36 hours of the death. The so-called “death gratuity” is aimed at paying for funeral costs and to help with those living expenses normally covered by the soldier’s paycheck.


Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/8/shutdown-leaves-families-killed-soldiers-no-funera/#ixzz2hB4Y1a9s
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

Afghanistan Through My Eyes

Most of you know that I'm now living in S. Korea. While I will continue to follow the friends I met in Afghanistan and follow the conflict over there, I will begin posting on my new blog: writecalmly.com soon!

I'm super excited to be living on Camp Red Cloud (CRC). It took me a full week to understand that everyone who referred to CRC as Camp Red Cloud. You've got to love military acronyms!

When I'm up and running I'll let everyone know.

Meantime: Let's not ever forget we've got military personnel still over in Afghanistan that need our support!

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MADISON - Thousands of Badgers fans witnessed an emotional moment in Madison on Saturday when an Army captain surprised her daughter during halftime at the UW-Madison game.

Captain J.R. Lund has been serving in Afghanistan for the last six months and gave her daughter the surprise of a lifetime. Bella said she is still in shock from the surprise.

“It still feels like a dream, nothing feels real,” Bella said. “When I saw her I was like, ‘whoa, that's my mom. She's here.'”

Buzkashi Boys - Afghanistan Through Their Eyes

I don't usually promote films, but my dear friend: Sid Goldman, who participates at the camp: Seeds For Peace every year as the Doc, sent this too me. I wanted to show all of my followers Afghanistan today. This is what it's like. This is where our troops have been for the last eleven years.

Memorial Day - what's it about

Americans have fought on battlefields both near and far, in clashes both large and small, alone and with allies at their sides. These conflicts have shaped the country's policies, influenced its culture, defined its borders and cost thousands of lives.

18th Century
American Revolution
Dates: 1775-1783
Ended: Sept 3, 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris
American Battle Deaths: 4,435 (approximately)

19th Century
War of 1812
Dates: 1812-1815
Ended: Signing of the Treaty of Ghent December 24, 1814
Side note: Unaware of the treaty, Gen. Andrew Jackson engaged and crushed the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.
American Battle Deaths: 2,260 (approximately)

Mexican-American War
Dates: 1846-1848
Ended: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848
American Battle Deaths: 1,733 (approximately)

Civil War
Dates: 1861-1865
Ended: Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant in southwestern Virginia at Appomattox on April 9, 1865
American Battle Deaths: Union 140,414, Confederate 74,524 (approximately)

Spanish-American War
Dates: April 25 - August 12, 1898
Ended: The treaty of Paris signed December 10, 1898
American Battle Deaths: 385 (approximately)

20th Century
World War I
Dates 1914-1918
Ended: Treaty of Versailles signed June 28, 1919
American Battle Deaths: 53,402 (approximately)

World War II
Dates: 1939-1945
Ended: Japan surrendered August 14, 1945 after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
American Battle Deaths: 291,557 (approximately)

Korean War
Dates 1950-1953
Ended: An Armistice was reached on July 27, 1953
American Battle Deaths: 33,741 (approximately)

Vietnam War
Dates: 1954-1975
Dates: U.S. withdrew after ceasefire in 1973. Saigon fell in April 1975
American Battle Deaths: 47,424 (approximately)

Persian Gulf War
Dates August 1990-April 1991
Ended: Cease-fire agreement was signed April 9, 1991
American Battle Deaths: 147 (approximately)

21st Century
War in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)
Dates: October 7, 2001 - Conflict continues
Battle Deaths: 2209 (records found as of today May 27, 2013)

Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom)
Dates: March 19, 2003 - December 21, 2011
American Battle Deaths: 4403 (records found)

Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War I veteran, attends the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who was killed in the Korean War.

Armed Forces Day

Today is Armed Forces Day. Most Americans do not even realize that Armed Forces Day is a legitimate holiday! More and more I find a great apathy for our county among it's citizens and the 'me' generation. It is disappointing. This country was created on unity and a strong belief for a country that is based on freedom. Especially in the world today, freedom must be guarded by those who will keep vigil, the men and women in the military who swear their oath to serve and protect the Constitution and the nation.

So here's a history lesson for those that are interested.


Armed Forces Day was established to be celebrated on the third Saturday in May. It started during Harry Truman’s administration when he led an effort to consolidate the various holidays supporting each separate branch of the military into a simple unified holiday to honor the four branches together. The actual initiation of this day occurred on August 31, 1949.


In 1950, the new Department of Defense explained that Armed Forces Day was intended to help the people better understand the function and role of the military in American society, but the essential intent was to enable public recognition and appreciation of the military, and to provide a means for the public to thank men and women in uniform for their service to their country. Ironically, in June of 1950, the American military would be mustered for action as North Korean Communists attacked South Korea.

I've said it a lot...when you see someone wearing a uniform, or something that signifies they're a Veteran, or you find out through a conversation...please thank them for their service.

Sergeant Major Patrick Corcoran

Here'a a picture of one of my newest hero's Pat Corcoran. He helped me out with an amazing interview for an article I'm writing for the Civil Society Partnership Program of the Eurasia Foundation.

The least we can do is offer our genuine gratitude toward the men an women who put their lives on the line, despite politics...it's their job.

                     

Happy Mother's Day

Being Mare Contrare I generally think of things backward. For instance, I feel that Mother's should give their children gifts on Mother's Day because the child made the Mother and that on birthdays the child should give the Mom gifts because after all, the Mom grew the child in her belly for nine months and then gave birth.

Either way, Mother's Day is a joyous occasion celebrating the birth of a child and the Mom...unless the child you gave life to gave their life for our country. Then today is a day of remembrance. Remembrance of what was and what could have been.

Here is a list of the casualties in Afghanistan for the month of May, 2013 alone. May our thoughts and prayers be with their Mothers today. I urge you to click on the link associated with the photograph. These warriors will not be forgotten...especially by their Mothers.

  Army Spc. Kevin Cardoza


  Marine Staff Sgt. Eric D. Christian


  Army 1st Lt. Brandon J. Landrum


  Army Spc. Thomas P. Murach


  Army Staff Sgt. Francis G. Phillips IV

  Army Spc. Brandon J. Prescott


  Marine Cpl. David M. Sonka

Afghanistan update:

Acting Deputy Spokesperson, Patrick Ventrell for Secretary of State meet with press yesterday and spoke about Karzi's statement regarding a request from the U.S. for nine bases after 2014.

According to President Obama, the U.S. does not seek permanent military bases in Afghanistan. We envision that the bilateral security agreement will address access to and use of Afghan facilities by U.S. forces. The bilateral security agreement is still being negotiated. 

In 2014 Afghanistan will be under a full Afghan lead. The U.S. is working through and negotiating the civilian and development assistance.

V (Victory) Corps Being Deactivated

As part of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Joint Command Headquarters in Afghanistan, V Corps out of Wiesbaden, Germany has served as the "framework nation" for the operational command. Working alongside NATO and Afghan partners since 2009, V Corps has contributed to the stability and security to Afghanistan.

Although V Corps has maintained its presence in Germany since 1051, the DOD (Department Of Defense) made the decision to inactivate theV Corps headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, the summer of 2013.

Upon it's return for Afghanistan, the V Corps will case its colors indefinitely. Once redeployed, the approximately 750 Soldiers of the V Corps will move on to other assignments around the globe.

GIRoA (the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) has assumed the lead for the majority of security operation in their country.

Soldiers of V Corps march out of the Wiesbaden Army Airfield fitness center following a casing of the colors ceremony for the corps on Thursday. The corps is headed for an Afghanistan deployment and is leaving Germany for good after more than 60 years.

MICHAEL ABRAMS/STARS AND STRIPES

Boston Bombers - Kyrgyzstan

How do the Boston bombers relate to Afghanistan you ask...

The brothers Tsamaeva (Tsarnaev) were born in Kyrgyzstan. Anyone who's fought in Afghanistan with the US military knows that Manas is the transit center. We (you and me US taxpayers) built the International Airport, near Bishkek and it's runway to the tune of 8 billion dollars and lease what we built annually for $60 million. While we have poured money into Kyrgyztan to make these amazing improvements and helped to improve the local medical facilities and loaned physicians to help set up clinics, our time allotment was temporary. It seems our lease is just about up and will not be extended after its expiration in July 2014. This is a few months before the completion of the drawdown!

Interesting that Kyrgyzstan has become a cell for Islamic extremism. However the rebel movement, specifically Vilyat Dagestan, denies any links to the deadly bombing. The mujahideen from the Caucasus are not at war with the US but Russia for their heinous crimes against Muslims. They seem to think the Russian Special Services have some connection to the bombings.

Could these two young men be part of a plot thicker than any Hollywood thriller masterpiece.

I am still at a loss for why someone plants a bomb and then runs. While I don't like to use my blog to make personal judgement, I cannot help but wonder. If you're going to commit a terrorist attack step forward and take responsibility! COWARDS.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Women In Combat and...sex

We have now joined the ranks of several countries that allow women in front-line combat positions. In Europe: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania and Sweden. Elsewhere: Australia, Canada and New Zealand in the Anglosphere; plus Eritrea, Israel and North Korea.

Here are some of the countries that allow women in positions such as fighter pilots. Pakistan, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Formally, American servicewomen up until now may only serve in combat as support, although many of these women do end up seeing combat.

(Anwar Amro - AFP/Getty Images)

Here is a new member of Syria's National Defense Force at a training center in Homs. The Syrian regime is arming and training Syrian women to fight.

I've been speaking to several women who are Veteran's and Active Duty service members as well some male counterparts on their reaction to the US allowing women assigned combat duty. The response actually surprised me. While the press is celebrating, the people I spoke to agree the positions should be open, but were not quite as thrilled about it. I believe it's because we had all seen combat...we wonder why anyone would want to go there.  

The old adage that if women decided who would go to war there wouldn't be any...in my opinion is totally false. As Margaret Mead stated: Women should not be accepted as combat soldiers because they are too fierce.

"Women should be permitted to volunteer for non-combat service,… they should not be accepted, voluntarily or through the draft, as combat soldiers…. We know of no comparable ways of training women and girls, and we have no real way of knowing whether the kinds of training that teach men both courage and restraint would be adaptable to women or effective in a crisis. But the evidence of history and comparative studies of other species suggest that women as a fighting body might be far less amenable to the rules that prevent warfare from becoming a massacre and, with the use of modern weapons, that protect the survival of all humanity. This is what I meant by saying that women in combat might be too fierce." Margaret Mead: June 1968

But yes we all agree women should not be discriminated against. 

My question is about birth control. No one wants to address this issue, but there is sex in combat. Everyone I've spoken with wants to deny it happens, but now with the rape cases coming out it's obvious that there is sex going on...and some of it is consensual! So let's not have the military be like stupid parents and believe 'their' children aren't having sex unless they're married and only to whom their married too. Hello...look at the divorce rate. 

If I could be on any platform it would be: Birth control is required for both male and female combat soldiers while serving in country. Maybe Dr. Ruth Westheimer can address this. She was a sniper in Israel and wounded int he 1948 Arab-Israeli war...

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Frank Buckles

Do you know why the flag is being flown at half mast today?

Do you know who Frank  Buckles is?

He was the last surviving American veteran of WWI.

Frank W. Buckles
Picture of Buckles in 1917 (age 16) and his signature in 2000
Born	February 1, 1901 Bethany, Missouri, U.S.
Died	February 27, 2011 (aged 110 years, 26 days) Charles Town, West Virginia, U.S.

During WWI he drove ambulances and motorcycles neat the front lines.
In WWII he was captured by Japanese forces while working in the shipping business and spent three years in the Philippines as a civilian prisoner.
Buckles was awarded the WWI Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal as well as the French Legion of Honor. He was buried at Arlington Cemetery with full honors.

But the reason the flag is being flown today is in remembrance of Pearl Harbor. Today is the 71st Anniversary of Pearl Harbor!

Pearl Harbor dead remembered on 71st anniversary

FILE - In this U.S. Navy file photo, a small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. Two men can be seen on the superstructure, upper center. The mast of the USS Tennessee is beyond the burning West Virginia. On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese Imperial Navy navigator Takeshi Maeda guided his Kate bomber to Pearl Harbor and fired a torpedo that helped sink the USS West Virginia. President Barack Obama on Thursday Dec. 6, 2012 issued a proclamation declaring Dec. 7 a day of remembrance in honor of the 2,400 Americans who died at Pearl Harbor. He urged federal agencies, organizations and others to fly their flags at half-staff. (AP Photo, File)

Afghanistan Through My Eyes:

Today on NPR I heard of the deaths of troops and civilians from two suicide bombers trying to gain entrance to the base at Jalalabad. The Taliban did not gain entrance.

My heart goes out to the men and women deployed in Afghanistan. It is questionable. The thought of extending our mission there turns my stomach. It is a fight for government control of nightmare proportions. Why are we doing the brunt of the fighting when the only country to gain from our victory is Russia?

But right now the men and women serving our country are fulfilling their contracts. They are fighting and dying everyday. The holidays are arriving soon and they will be there physically, but their hearts and minds with their loved ones.

Do not forsake them. They are our warriors.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes:

While I am no longer in Afghanistan I think about it every day; especially when I am visiting a military installation as I am today.

I am at Ft. Benning Georgia home of the US Army Armor School, US Army Infantry School, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security cooperation, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, 3rd, Brigade 3rd Infantry Division. It was also home to Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley who was laid to rest October 16 in the Main Post Cemetery.

Who is Sgt. Maj. Plumley you may ask? He was the hero played by Sam Elliot in the film, We Were Soldiers.

Sgt. Maj. Plumley fought in more than 20 military operations during his 32-year career. Enlisting on March 31, 1942 as a private after two years of high school, he fought during WWII at Salerno and the D Day invasion at Normandy, he made four combat jumps with the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, he made another combat jump in Korea with the 187th Airborne Infantry and while it can't be proven, he may be the only man to claim five combat jumps behind enemy lines. He should not have survived all of that, but there is more.

In the book on page 220 is a brief account of an incident that happened on the second day of the bloody battle with the North Vietnamese in the Ia Drang Valley in November 1965. "In the midst of this bedlam a blazing flare...streaked across the sky and plunged into the ammunition dump near the battalion command post. It lodged in a box of hand grenades, burning fiercely. Without hesitation, Sergeant Major Plumley ran to the stacks and with his bare hands reached into the grenade boxes and grabbed the flare. (He) jerked the flare free, reared back, and heaved it out into the open clearing. He then stomped out the grass fires touched off by the flares in and around the ammo crates."

The refrain, "God may look like Sgt. Maj. Plumley, but he isn't nearly as tough on sins small or large," in some version is used in most discussions involving the Sergeant Major.

He retired from the Army on December 31, 1974.

RIP Sgt. Maj Plumley

click here

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - RIP CSM Griffin

Last week I heard the sad news that CSM Kevin J. Griffin had been KIA. It was hard for me to hear. CSM Griffin was larger than life. He was the kind of soldier they emulate in the movies, full of bravado, tough, fair and always quick with a smile. He embraced his service and loved his job. I flew with him a few times on our way to different COP's and always felt like he was taking the bull by the horns, wrastleing it and putting it down. I loved his energy.

He was a great leader and he will be missed by all.

CSM Spano, CSM Vimoto, CSM Griffin

CSM Griffin watches as a soldier gets a medal from SMA Chandler 

Col Kim, CSM Chandler, CSM Spano, Col Mingus

R.I.P. CSM Griffin

Maj. Thomas Kennedy the brigade Fire Support Coordinator, Maj. Walter D. Gray, USAF and Mr. Ragaei Abdelfattah, USAID were also killed during a suicide attack in Kunar  Province. Col. Mingus was unharmed.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Home

Hurry up and wait. This phrase was coined in the military. I think it has to do with learning patience, restraint and composure. Good traits to have in combat...but really hard when you're on US soil and you just want to be in the arms of loved ones.

After we landed in Hawaii we were bused up to Schofield Base. 

First everyone is checked in and weapons surrendered. The soldiers were treated to an escort from the Veteran's Who Ride Harley Chapter of Hawaii. Veterans and USO came out to greet them. Then follows a briefing and snacks for the soldiers while their loved ones wait as patiently as possible on the other side of the partitioned building. 

Finally after a film created by the PAO office of the 25th's Division year in Afghanistan the soldiers march in!

After the Start Spangled Banner played and there were thanks for the safe return the soldiers they were released. 

Then we just had to find our gear and we were home.

HOME!