Stories From The Front Line

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Dear Friends,  
I normally don’t do “form letters,” but I am so busy these days that this is the only way I can keep in touch with you.  I have now been in Afghanistan for two months and I thought I would take a few minutes to let you know what I’ve been up to.   For starters, let me tell you why – after four and half years – your military is still fighting in Afghanistan.   

The United States and our Coalition allies are fighting two groups of people in Afghanistan today.  The first and main group is the Taliban (“the Purists”), militant Muslim fundamentalists.  In short, they believe that Muslims should live their lives today just as the Profit, Mohammed, did in the 9th Century.  The second, much smaller group we’re fighting, is al-Qaeda ("The Base," in Arabic), which is a worldwide network of terrorists, formerly led by Osama bin Laden, who are bent on attacking the US and its Western allies because of our status in the world today, our continuing support of Israel, and also because they consider the United States and the West in general to be decadent and a threat to Islam.  As you know, bin Laden planned and coordinated the attacks of September 11th from his then-base in Afghanistan.  In October 2001, the US and our partners in the Coalition attacked al-Qaeda and the Taliban government giving them sanctuary. By late November, the enemy was defeated, but bin Laden and many of his supporters escaped to neighboring Pakistan, and many others went into hiding in the outer tribal regions of Afghanistan.  It is these remnants that US Soldiers are fighting today.

The US and our Coalition partners have three primary missions in Afghanistan: 1) Destroy the remnants of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban operating today in Afghanistan; 2) Continue to help the new government of Afghanistan to establish democratic institutions that will lead to long-term stability here (this involves a great deal of humanitarian assistance programs, such as building schools, roads, hospitals, etc); and 3) Train and equip a professional Afghan National Army and Police so that they can defend their country against Muslim extremists and terrorists.  

I live on Camp Eggers, a small US camp in Kabul, the capitol of Afghanistan.  Our camp is named after a Special Forces officer who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2002.  I am the Director of Public Affairs for the Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan.  Our command is called "Combined" because it has Soldiers from countries other than the US.  CFC-Afghanistan has about 23,000 Soldiers from the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, Germany, The Netherlands, and a few other European countries.  As the Director of Public Affairs, I am responsible for all of the Coalition’s public communications – press releases, press conferences, etc.  I oversee the communications of about 80 public affairs Soldiers at several locations around the country.  My job involves a great deal of coordination with the government of Afghanistan, and the US State Department and Department of Defense.  Public communications is a sensitive mission in Afghanistan because the Taliban do their best to misconstrue what the Coalition is doing in Afghanistan.  To say the least, I stay very busy here.  

One of the great things about my job is that I frequently travel around Afghanistan with our 3-star Commanding General  I have seen some of the most beautiful places this country has to offer, but I have also seen some places that I never want to see again.  The one message that I would like to share with you is that your Soldiers are doing magnificent work here.  Despite what you may see on TV or read in the newspaper, Afghanistan is not falling apart.  We have big challenges here, but the fact is that we are killing and capturing a great deal of the enemy, and Afghanistan is slowly but surely making progress towards a stabilized country.  Some of the Soldiers I meet are absolutely amazing.  I recently visited US Soldiers at one of our camps near the border with Pakistan.  This is an area of intense enemy activity.  The driver of the vehicle I was riding in was a “kid” of about 23, assigned to the 2^nd Battalion, 87^th Infantry Regiment, 10^th Mountain Division.  He had been in the Army for four years and had just re-enlisted.  He was on his third deployment (two previous tours in Iraq, and now he was two months into a year-long deployment to Afghanistan).  He had been wounded twice in Iraq and had spent a total of four months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.  Even though he has come close to death twice, he told me that he loved what he was doing.  I was humbled by this young man’s devotion to duty and willingness to endure great physical hardships.  Life at the tip of the spear is indeed very tough, but this kid had no second thoughts about the life he has chosen.    

Well, I guess I will sign off for now.  I hope each of you is doing well.  On behalf of all the American troops serving here, I want to thank you for your support.  Regardless of your personal views on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I know that we have your support and that you think of us often.  
Sincerely,  
T.C. Col., U.S. Army, Afghanistan

Dear Operation Gratitude, and everyone who made the care packages and letters possible:                  
My unit, now serving in Afghanistan, was very pleased to receive the care packages.  It was kind of like having Christmas in June as Soldiers opened their packages.  We appreciate the items and the kind words of encouragement.  None of my Soldiers really consider themselves as heroes, just as regular Americans doing what our country has asked us to do.  The culture in Afghanistan is not at all like what we have in America.  The Taliban do not think like we do.  They do not want any of their children to get an education – especially not the girls.  They have burned down lots of schools, shot rockets at one, and thrown a hand grenade in another one while school was in session.  A teacher and 5 children were hurt in that one.  Religion is closely watched here.  It is okay for you to be a non-Muslim in Afghanistan, but you cannot try to convert Muslims from Islam to Buddhism, Hinduism, or Christianity.  Six people were arrested a couple of days ago for telling people in the northern town of Mazari Sharif about Jesus.  Since they were from other countries, they were deported.  On the US and international compounds, we do have church services every Sunday.  The Muslim worship day is Friday, but every day they have their calls to prayer broadcast over loudspeakers from a mosque not too far from here.  Women here are not allowed to wear shorts, bathing suits, skirts, sun dresses, or sleeveless tops.  The only skin a woman is allowed to show in public is her face and her hands.  Some of them are not allowed to show even that much and wear burkas.   It is like having a sheet draped from the top of your head and goes all the way to the ground.  There is a veil that is sewn where the woman’s face is so she can see out, but you can’t see her.  Women and girls always have a scarf wrapped over their hair.     In addition to fighting the Taliban, US Soldiers send doctors to treat the Afghan people for diseases and veterinarians to treat their cattle.  We also help their government write laws.  We help them build roads and power stations.  We even give them radios.  Again, than you for your support.                     COL A.V. 

AMOUNTING TO SOMETHING

Death will come to all us living, but those who have truly lived seldom fear its arrival.

 I have cheated death most all my life.  There were many that bet I would never see 21. At 45, I simply laugh.

 Life has been a struggle and nothing has come easy, or without pain.  Reflecting on the roads I have traveled, I would not have walked a different path.

 I have loved and known love.  I have felt the pain and anguish of loss and betrayal.  Through it all there has been one constant; me.

 I was condemned as a child and made to believe I would never amount to anything.  But today, I stand among giants.  I walk among those who will fill the pages of history.  The defenders of the freedoms we cherish, the freedoms that were paid for with the blood of patriots and hero’s before us.  These young men risk everything for the sake of mere principle.  They, as will I, gladly give our lives to buy one more day, one more hour, one more minute of freedom for those of our great nation.  The irony is; there are many at home with whom we are indignant, even loathe for the things they do, their beliefs, their lack of moral character, the means by which they take their freedom for granted; as if it were owed to them by mere birthright.  Yet when called to fight, these young warriors discriminate not.  Their lives are thrust in harms way equally for each person of this nation.

 Many debate the right and wrong of this war we fight.  There are countless justifications for why we should or should not be here based solely on the point the antagonist is trying to make.  There may well be political and personal agendas at stake here, but the foundation of our presence is anchored in what is taken for granted most among our people.

 Terrorism has existed as long as civilization.  We have often sat on the sidelines as it has engulfed nations and societies.  But then it happened once too often on our soil and to our citizens.  We were forced into action.  If we fail to destroy this serpent, or refuse to take a stand, the freedoms we once knew will perish forever.  We will forever live in a world of fear.  Terrorists must be made to live in fear for merely contemplating encroachment on our freedoms.  There is a cost associated with this ideology, but one we must be willing to bear.  Those of us here understand it, accept it, embrace it.

 If life is cut short due to this quest, I will perish knowing that I amounted to something, I stood for something, I fought for something.  History may never know my name, but I will rest in peace knowing I fought for what was right.

 The cost of freedom can never be too high.

SgtMaj  L.H., USMC

The Army has sent me on another excellent journey!! This one started in San Diego last June 2005. I was assigned to the 96th Military Police (MP) Battalion. This battalion was deactivated after the Korean conflict and reactivated this past March 2005 for the assignment to Abu Ghraib. The unit was formed as we all met in San Diego. I am a Physician Assistant reservist, assigned to a hospital unit in Houston, TX. Over 60% of our unit was cross-leveled from other units. After 5 weeks in San Diego we went to Ft. Bliss, TX to start our training in preparation for the assignment. We were sent to Dona Ana (40 miles north of El Paso in New Mexico.) We lived in WWII Japanese internment camp tin Quonset hut surrounded by concertina. Not exactly what we expected. Our training was rigorous, physically and mentally challenging, and at the hottest time of the year for El Paso. I literally prayed everyday for the strength to get through. We had our share of heat casualties and others who fell out for various injuries. But most of us made it through the grueling 3 months. Some of the training was pretty exciting - convoy ops, live fire exercises, urban ops, mounted land navigation in indestructible humvees (we had a blast 4 wheeling across the desert!) Our next phase of training took us to Ft. Lewis, Washington. Once again we found ourselves bunking in less than desirable quarters (we lived in wooden, open bay WWII barracks.) However, it was beautiful and a total reprieve from the scorching heat of El Paso. The worst part of the raining there was the mandatory spraying with OC spray. We had to spray each other (with highest potency spray) 6-8 inches right in the eyes and then go through a self-defense exercise. It was the worst experience I have every had (I thought I was going into respiratory distress and having a heart attack at the same time.) The residual effects lasted for a few days afterward. Wow, I never want to have to repeat that again. We finally found ourselves heading to Iraq mid-Nov, stayed a few days in Kuwait and then took a C-130 to Baghdad. From there we were escorted in multiple trips in armored chinooks to Abu Ghrabi (15 min helo ride.) It was so exciting. Once we got here we had less than 1 minute to get 30 of us off and into our new home. This trip took place during the black of night. Adrenalin rush. So here we are at ABU. The military still has a black eye from the notorious scandal and we are under constant scrutiny. Have lots of high level visitors and international delegations. We are living in the former prison cells complete with blood stains and meat hooks in the ceilings. I know it may sound awful, but in truth it's pretty amazing. The cells are of varying sizes, have nice heating/cooling systems and are virtually sound proof. I have been able to scam some paint from local sources and various pieces of wooden furniture. Had a blast painting over the graffiti and customizing my room. This is my second tour over here and after sleeping in tents, this is wonderful. We have modular showers with hot water and have recently gotten flushing toilet trailers to replace the porta-poties. It's nice deploying to a mature base and having most of the amenities of home!! KBR supplies a laundry service and a dining facility that is above reproach. It's hard to keep from gaining weight over here. Especially since outdoor physical activities must be done in full battle rattle (Kevlar, vest, weapon.) We have a very well equipped gym and lots of MWR activities. They have Friday night fights every other Friday. I personally have never been a fan of pugilism, but these are actually entertaining. The soldiers have fun and are so full of energy. They train assiduously and put their all into them. We have dance lessons, dart tourneys, music dj playoffs, the list goes on. I am having a hard time finding reasons to complain!!!! Now on to my mission here. I originally thought I would be taking care of the soldiers in the 96th. Much to my initial dismay I was told I would be exclusively taking care of detainees. So here I am, never having even been in a jail or prison, living in a former torture prison cell and given the responsibility of providing health care for Iraqi prisoners. I had to take a few moments to digest that!! As it turns out my job is quite interesting and on a certain level rewarding. My 2nd day here I found out my job is to perform in-processing physicals on newly captured detainees and document any medical issues. At the same time I initiate medical therapy and refer to specialists as required. I also go to the various compounds (of which we have several) and treat the detainees who are to remain here. My medics and I are known as "Wire Wolves" since we do our treatment through the wire that surrounds the detainees. My first reaction was to shrink in horror at the prospects of medically ministering to someone who could have possibly killed one of my fellow service members. It behooves us to not know why they are being detained and focus on their medical needs. This actually is not hard. And as it turns out during raids broad sweeps of locals are made and it may be that some are completely innocent. It is hard for me to imagine an 85 year old Iraqi (which is rare since their life expectancy remains in the high 60's) who is blind, can't walk and can't pee could be vital to an insurgent's plot. We also get young boys, less than 15 years old and the entire gamut of ages in between. I am not here to judge, just treat. Since medicine shouldn't change with patient population or worldwide location, I feel my job is rather straight forward. I treat these guys with the same respect I do my patients at home (I work at the VA in Houston.) The invitation of an enema and a foley cures those who are malingering or seeking secondary gain. We do not encounter a lot of exotic or unusual disease processes, but some of the wounds are impressive. We get lots of those wounded during gunfights, premature IED explosions and those with old wounds from when Saddam was in control. I started noticing a few trends as I was examining the Iraqis. When you ask them their age, they tell you what year they were born. We had a hermaphrodite in a few weeks ago. The interpreters told me they had 3 come through last year. Just had a young tot that told us he was 18. But he looked no older than 10 years. He was so scared and crying and afraid we were going to hurt him. By the time he left he was saying "Iraq no good, America very good." Of course that was after a Pepsi and some American snack food given with pure love and caring. After a few days of observing hypertrophic (callous-type) lesions on the feet by the outside ankle, I asked an interpreter what they were. Apparently these calluses are from years of their prayer posture. Since part of my physical exam is to document distinguishing scars and marks (tattoos) I started seeing a trend of most tattoos (very crude) on the left arms and hands. Once again, through our brave interpreters I was able to ascertain that the left hand is bad (as we know from cultural myths) and that it is a sin to get a tattoo. So they tattoo the left side. They also have scars from cutting the tattoos off in atonement. Because their consumption of water is less than desirable, they not only look older than they are, but their incidence of kidney stones is very high. They all complain of what I would consider urinary tract infections. They come to us saying they have been treated for years for hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes. There is lots of diabetes and hypertension. Their favorite drug to ask for besides motrin, is zantac - they all have pain and "colon" problems. So like I say, medicine here is not rocket science - motrin, zantac. The Iraqi detainees are very polite and often apologize for their lack of hygiene since their detainment. It has been rumored that some are recaptures on purpose, just so they can get medical care, a warm place to sleep and 3 squares a day!! I was able to go to visitation recently which is where the families are able to come and visit the detainees. I was so taken with the beautiful women and the adorable children. The little girls were dressed to the nines. They looked like little western rock stars. They were quite the little divas in their sunglasses and girlie garb (no somber black for them.) The young boys were shy, but respectful and courteous. I fell in love with the children. The majority of the Iraqis I encounter appreciate our presence here and thank us for helping them. Even our interpreters, who risk their lives daily to help us support our mission, get teary and cover their heart with their right hand and utter a God sent thanks to us. They leave their families, travel treacherous roads and cannot even let their closest relatives know what they are doing. They thank us daily for helping them get their country back. It is heart wrenching. So there is my story. I am so thankful what I have been given the privilege to do. I am still able to do "professional courtesy" health care on the soldiers, but also have the unique opportunity to provide medical care to an amazing assortment of international - well, ummm, people!!! I love being with soldiers. They do the hard work. Their individual sacrifices can never be underestimated. As well as those of their families who so willingly watch them go to fight for what is just, fair and honorable. I have never had natural issue children. But when I hit the battalion in San Diego, I suddenly found myself with an entire battalion of children. I am affectionately known as "Combat Mom." A nickname I cherish. But also a mantle of responsibility I am proud to uphold. My purpose for this little diatribe was to let you know who and what you guys are so generously supporting. We are ever thankful for those of you who do not judge us, but give your time, love and resources. Your incredible contributions and efforts have uplifted so many spirits over here. You guys are our heroes!!!! God bless, thank you and may all our paths someday cross, CPT LJC

In the Name of God the Compassionate and Merciful

To the Courageous Men and Women of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who have changed the city of Tall’ Afar from a ghost town, in which terrorists spread death and destruction, to a secure city flourishing with life.

To the lion-hearts who liberated our city from the grasp of terrorists who were beheading men, women and children in the streets for many months.

To those who spread smiles on the faces of our children, and gave us restored hope, through their personal sacrifice and brave fighting, and gave new life to the city after hopelessness darkened our days, and stole our confidence in our ability to reestablish our city.

Our city was the main base of operations for Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. The city was completely held hostage in the hands of his henchmen. Our schools, governmental services, businesses and offices were closed. Our streets were silent, and no one dared to walk them. Our people were barricaded in their homes out of fear; death awaited them around every corner. Terrorists occupied and controlled the only hospital in the city. Their savagery reached such a level that they stuffed the corpses of children with explosives and tossed them into the streets in order to kill grieving parents attempting to retrieve the bodies of their young. This was the situation of our city until God prepared and delivered unto them the courageous soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, who liberated this city, ridding it of Zarqawi’s followers after harsh fighting, killing many terrorists, and forcing the remaining butchers to flee the city like rats to the surrounding areas, where the bravery of other 3d ACR soldiers in Sinjar, Rabiah, Zumar and Avgani finally destroyed them.

I have met many soldiers of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women, but avenging angels sent by The God Himself to fight the evil of terrorism.

The leaders of this Regiment; COL McMaster, COL Armstrong, LTC Hickey, LTC Gibson, and LTC Reilly embody courage, strength, vision and wisdom. Officers and soldiers alike bristle with the confidence and character of knights in a bygone era. The mission they have accomplished, by means of a unique military operation, stands among the finest military feats to date in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and truly deserves to be studied in military science. This military operation was clean, with little collateral damage, despite the ferocity of the enemy. With the skill and precision of surgeons they dealt with the terrorist cancers in the city without causing unnecessary damage.

God bless this brave Regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget. To the families of those who have given their holy blood for our land, we all bow to you in reverence and to the souls of your loved ones. Their sacrifice was not in vain. They are not dead, but alive, and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives. They have sacrificed that which is most valuable. We see them in the smile of every child, and in every flower growing in this land. Let America, their families, and the world be proud of their sacrifice for humanity and life.

Finally, no matter how much I write or speak about this brave Regiment, I haven’t the words to describe the courage of its officers and soldiers. I pray to God to grant happiness and health to these legendary heroes and their brave families.

NAJIM ABDULLAH ABID AL-JIBOURI
Mayor of Tall ‘Afar, Ninewa, Iraq

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