Afghanistan My Last Tour

ANA compound roses

Someone once said “A rose is a rose is a rose”.  I wonder if they were referring to the roses grown in Afghanistan.  More specifically I wonder if they were referring to the roses grown on an ANA compound.   In their attempt to beautify the landscape, my Kandak has found the soil fertile enough to plant roses.  This morning I went to see MSG Abdullah and he was busy digging in his garden.  He was planting trees, tomato plants and rosebushes.  One of his officers questioned why he wasn’t working in the warehouse.  MSG Abdullah explained that when there is no work in the warehouse, he and his soldiers work on beautification projects.   This answer seemed to pacify the ANA officer.  In fact he suggested that MSG Abdullah conduct similar projects throughout the compound.

MSG Abdullah's garden

MSG Abdullah is a very unique ANA soldier.  Prior to joining the ANA he actively fought against the Taliban.  Then he decided to join the ANA to make a difference for his country.  He is a proud soldier and truly believes in taking care of the soldiers.  He is bothered that his country still differentiates by a person’s nationality.  He doesn’t care if a soldier is Tajik, Pashtun, or Hezara.  When he sees a soldier, he sees a soldier.
MSG Abdullah explained the Russians nearly destroyed their country.  So his flower and tree garden is his way of restoring beauty not only to his military base, but to his country.  The roses are very difficult to grow and he compares this to the future of his country.  He believes with hard work and determination Afghanistan will survive and be prosperous.  The same goes for his rose garden.  What MSG Abdullah doesn’t know is that I am going to request for my wife to send me some rose fertilizer and Miracle Grow.  This could provide the additional boost his plants need to survive and blossom.

Our interpreter Fareed is leaving for the U.S.

Today we also said goodbye to our interpreter Fareed.  Fareed has received his official paperwork to live in the United States.  He is going to take his family with him and looks forward to living in Virginia and exploring our native country.  We also held a cook-out for our AF teammates who are departing on Saturday.  The charcoal must have been wet because it took over an hour to get hot coals.  These AF personnel have served their time here and are anxiously waiting to see their family and loved ones.  One of my roommates is leaving too.  He couldn’t sleep last night because of his anxiety.  I joked about hog-tying him and gagging him tonight so I wouldn’t have to listen to him snore and be so restless.