Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Military VS Civilian Friends

A FB friend posted this and I had to take put some of the highlights in my blog...I have never met so many wonderful people as I have with the US military. This just sums it up.

Civilian Friends: will listen to your relationship problems and hope it works out.
Military Friends: will listen to your relationship problems over a long hard march and will help you straighten it out better than Dr. Phil

Civilian Friends: know a few things about you.
Military Friends: could write a book with direct quotes from you.

Civilian Friends: might try and hit on your girl behind your back
Military Friends: have spooned with you in the field more than your girl has, and would never even think about doing that

Civilian Friends: will wish you had enough money to go out with them
Military Friends: will share their last dollar, drag you along and try to work free drinks all night

Civilian Friends: Want the money they loaned you back
Military Friends: can't begin to remember who owes who money after taking care of each other for so long

Civilian Friends: will tell you they'd take a bullet for you
Military Friends: will actually take a bullet for you.

This footage is pretty raw...it's hard to shoot a camera and a gun at the same time.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes

I've been writing about Afghanistan for over a year. A place that I used to just read about, now has a special place in my heart. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about the US military and other military factions from around the world fighting there.

The first time I went through Abbey Gate in Kabul, I was on foot, lugging my 85 pound duffle bag. I remember distinctly the cold biting my exposed face and hands as I tried to negotiate with the Dutch guards speaking English with their thick accents. I was better at understanding their body language and gesturing with their loaded guns...get back and wait out past the first check point.

It was as if it was yesterday, even though it was 0600 January 1, 2011 and I had been traveling since December 30th with nary a layover and not a wink of sleep.

This was another check point in my adventure as I stared up at the crescent moon and star pinned in the sapphire blue sky as a reminder of the Russian occupation 35 years ago.

What was it going to be like inside? Abbey Gate was a vortex, a gateway into a combat zone. It's boundaries definitive, unlike the blood spilled within.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - 9/11 in Afghanistan

What was it like on September 11, 2001 in Afghanistan?

Most of Afghanistan was in the dark...there wasn't any electricity in most places so there were no televisions or radios to bestow the news.

The photos we saw of children rejoicing by firing guns into the air and shouting death to American's were most likely taken in Pakistan.

Word of mouth spread the news like wildfire, but was it believable to think that al-Qaeda had accomplished such a mission, flown planes into the Twin Tower skyscrapers in New York City killing thousands! Living in Los Angeles it was hard for me to believe and surreal to watch. I kept wondering if this was some kind of crazy Orson Wells like stunt Hollywood had done to promote a new film.

Afghanistan is a tribal country and most Afghani's didn't realize what was going on until the first fighter jets strafed the sapphire blue sky searching for something to destroy. Who was this new military faction invading and what did they want? Didn't they know there was nothing left to destroy...fighter jets were no threat against the roach like insurgents scurrying into hiding.

The real poison for al-Qaeda and the Taliban would be of their own making. The people of Afghanistan have been battling against invasion for over 3000 years...they only put up with so much before they make their stand. They are now equipped, thanks to ISAF to fight against RPG's (rocket propelled grenades) and IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices).

When ISAF leaves, the soldiers of Afghanistan will take off their boots, cry their battle cry and fight how they know how to fight. Taking no prisoners.

Remember the words of Rudyard Kipling:


When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
   An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.


Afghanistan is being brought into the 21st Century...but remains the same. A small chunk of real estate that has caused a lot of fury.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - what it's like to go to war

Every single person that's met me asks me, "What's it like?"
There are a myriad of answers depending on who's asking and what they want to hear.

It's like going to the moon!
It's that foreign to someone like me who has never been in the military. After dealing with reams of paperwork and then going through several checkpoints including a retina scan they let you in. It's like being the most VIP in a VIP world.
The language is foreign, while English it's full of acronyms and everyone garbles their language as if holding marbles in their mouth.
The landscape is khaki. Everything is khaki from the dust covered concertina wire to the vehicles and the dress.
It's military suburban...one Alaska tent after another, the only difference is the number, if you're lucky and there is a number.

Everyone carries weapons.

But if you don't get hurt, a combat zone the MOST exciting place on earth. It's life on the edge and you feel alive every waking moment.

There are jobs to do that are important to everyone's well being and survival. You are important and needed.

People care about you from the moment you introduce yourself. Friendships are fast and life stories are told over coffee.

It is also the most terrifying place on the planet.
The juxtaposition is crazy wild.

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - 30 Marines Who Gave Their Lives

These are the names of the 30 men who lost their lives in the Chinook helicopter that crashed in Wardak province. Click on the link and look at their face and read about their dreams. 


Tomorrow some of these men will be laid  to rest at Arlington. Take a moment to honor them and ALL of the others, both men and women.


1 .Navy Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 32, of Shreveport, Louisiana. Enlisted with his best friend Robert James Reeves.

2. Navy Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis Langlais - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 44, of Santa Barbara, California. He received 4 Bronze Stars with V for Valor.

3. Navy Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 34, of Green Forest, Arkansas. He died defending those he loved and those who loved him.

4. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii. He is remembered as easy going.

5. Navy Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 31, of Stamford, Connecticut. He is remembered as athletic and driven.

6. Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 31, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He earned 3 Bronze Stars with V device.

7. Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 35, of West Hyannisport, Massachusetts. He was born to be a SEAL.

8. Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 37, of Kansas City, Missouri. He was an avid runner and athlete.

9. Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 35, of Ft. Worth, Texas. He served aboard a destroyer.

10. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 30 of Washington, W. Virginia. He had 2 Bronze Star Medals, 1 with V for Valor.

11. Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 32 of Shreveport, Louisiana. He died with his childhood friend, Lt. Cmdr Jonas. Kelsall.

12. Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 32, of Detroit, Michigan. He won 4 Bronze Star Medals, 3 with V for valor.

13. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 28, of Angwin, California. His decorations include the Bronze Star with V device for Valor.


14. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 36, of Jacksonville, North Carolina. He is remembered for his determination and fearlessness.


15. Navy Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 28, of Taylorsville, Utah. He won medals for valor.


16. Navy Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 26, from South Sioux City, Nebraska. His decorations include the Bronze Star with V device.


17. Navy Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had won numerous medals.


18. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 35, of Rockford, Iowa. He was a dedicated athlete.


19. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 30, of Stuart, Florida. He was remembered as a tough warrior and a gentle man.


20. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 32, of Blanding, Utah. He didn't become a Navy Seal by chance, he made it happen.


21. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 27, of Willits, California. He was a 6 year veteran of service.


22. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 24, of St. Paul, Minnesota. He gave 100% to our country.


23. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 22, of Tallahassee, Florida. He was Rambo without the attitude.


24. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 26, of Long Beach, California. He knew how to make people laugh.


25. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 28, of York, Pennsylvania. He wrestled and played football at a small Pennsylvania high school.


26. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 David R. Carter - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 47, of Centennial, Colorado. He was his hometown's American hero.


27. Army Staff Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska. This Guardsman wanted family to be at ease with his deployment.


28. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan J. Nichols - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 31, of Hays, Kansas. A reservist, he had no enemies.


29. Army Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 24, of Tacoma, Washington. He relocated because he wanted to be with his unit.


30. Army Spc. Spencer C. Duncan - Honor the Fallen - MilitaryTimes.com
Age 21, of Olathe, Kansas. He loved his job, but he missed Kansas.