Interview with WUSF Radio

Here is the latest installment in the ongoing interview series with WUSF Radio. It aired this morning during NPR’s Morning Edition and this afternoon during All Things Considered in Tampa. My Last Tour: A Lost Brother

47 paces (to the closest bathroom)

Today’s mission was canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date.  I purposely did not take any pictures this morning because I was looking forward to visiting a village.  So the only picture for today’s entry is some puppies sleeping by the main gate.  They wandered in a few days ago and seem content [...]

Are you my cousin?

As fate would have it, we traveled half way around the world to meet, not realizing we may be related.  Such was the case today, when my team traveled to Camp Phoenix to clear our special project account and replenish our funds.  The morning started early for the Captain and I as we woke up [...]

Savannah school supplies “packing party”

From Liisa, SMSgt Temple’s wife: I had a wonderful opportunity to get together with Rex’s friend, SPC Christopher “Kit” Lowe, his parents Sandi and Donald and Life Freeman, the mother of fallen Marine hero Captain Matthew Freeman. Here is a link to a video story about our “packing party” that aired in Savannah yesterday. The [...]

Runoff election announced

I had to wake up early this morning and pick up one of our teammates from the LZ at Camp Julian.  I stopped at the DFAC and grabbed a hot cup of coffee to pacify my caffeine craving along with a blueberry muffin.  If I timed it right, we would return in time for breakfast.  [...]

Drinking Tea with the Sergeant Major

Today I had my first sit down meeting with my ANA Command Sergeant Major.  We exchanged pleasantries and he invited me into his office.  He is rather short in stature but his size has no bearing on his commanding presence and the way he carries himself.  When he walks into offices and dormitories his soldiers [...]

Introduction to ANA colonel

This morning after our daily ETT meeting, we met with our interpreters and walked about ½ mile to ANA land.  The plan was to meet the ANA colonel and then be introduced to his staff of officers.    Before we had a chance to meet and greet, the colonel whisked away our team leader to attend [...]

Tour of ANA land and elections runoff update

We all crowded into our new office and held our first meeting this morning.  The plan was to meet our ANA counterparts and tour their facilities.  Previously the advanced team was given a quick tour and was introduced to the Kandak leadership.  Today the ANA commander along with his SGM was touring another FOB.  The [...]

We are all here now

For the past few weeks, my Captain and I along with 4 other teammates were part of an advanced team (ADVON) and tasked with setting up operations at a new FOB.  Meanwhile, our remaining teammates continued the missions at the other camp.  In support of General McChrystal’s master plan, the battle space in Afghanistan has [...]

Today’s radio interview on WUSF 89.7 FM

Here is a link to today’s interview which ran on WUSF Radio 89.7 FM in Tampa during National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” and it will run again this afternoon between 4 pm and 6:30 pm during the station’s pledge drive. The topics discussed included the Afghan elections and corruption related to stuffing ballot boxes, having [...]

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