Afghanistan My Last Tour

The war is not going to stop today, nor will it stop tomorrow.  But for a brief moment in time, I am going to take a departure from writing about my daily activities and write something different.  Today the traditional Thanksgiving holiday is being celebrated in millions of homes in the United States and around the world by U.S. citizens.  Kitchen tables are overfilled with basted turkeys, baked hams, sweet potatoes, cranberries and cornbread stuffing.  Decorative bowls are garnished with cranberries, deviled eggs, and candy.  The aroma of fresh baked pumpkin pies (with a pinch of cinnamon) fills the air and a container of fresh egg nog waits to be poured.  It’s a joyous occasion and families return to their homesteads to reunite once again.  My family will be doing the same thing too.   My mother will start prepping food early in the morning and then continue to cook throughout the day.  By the time she is finished, she will have made enough food to feed the entire neighborhood.  My family is no different than the millions of families scattered throughout the United States or celebrating overseas.  Before everyone enjoys the fabulous meal my mother made, my father will say a special prayer and give thanks to the Almighty Creator for everything he has bestowed upon us and our family.

Still together on Thanksgiving even if it's just via Skype!

Meanwhile there will be a few empty seats at the dining table.  One will be for me and the other for my wife.  My wife will be sharing Thanksgiving in Savannah, Georgia eating turkey and ham with SPC “Kit” Lowe’s family.  According to Mr. Lowe, they are preparing 3 turkeys to feed the hungry masses.  Since that tragic day in August when SPC Lowe

SCP Kit Lowe talking to Rex at Thanksgiving lunch.

was shot in the leg by an insurgent, my wife and Kit’s mother Sandi have formed a supporting bond and the Lowes have embraced Liisa like family.  So she will not be alone during this festive holiday.

Army colonel carves up the steam round roast.

Throughout Afghanistan the dining halls will prepare a special Thanksgiving meal for the troops.  My camp will do the same and try to create the Thanksgiving spirit.  Some of the soldiers won’t be this lucky and will settle for an MRE or whatever they can find in their freezer or food barrel to cook.  But I’m certain almost every soldier, airman, sailor,

AF LtCol and Army Major serve the hungry patrons.

and marine will pause for a moment to reflect for the things they are most thankful for.  At the top of everyone’s list is their family.  Our family members are the source of our motivation to succeed in this war and in life.  Never again do we want our country to have to live in fear like they did on 9/11.  As such, we risk our lives in the name of freedom and

Elaborate display of goodies at the DFAC.

democracy to root out those responsible for the tragic events of September 11^th, 2001.  We are prepared to give our life in support of this mission.

Today I can’t be with my wife or my family members, but I am still blessed.  I am blessed to have the best wife in the world.  Liisa motivates me in ways I will never understand and not only is she my best friend; she is surely my soul mate.  In addition, my other family members and friends provide me additional moral support to stay strong and focused on my missions.  Serving in Afghanistan has been the greatest challenge of my 26 ½ year career.

Although I am feeling blessed, I am also experiencing a see-saw of emotions.  I am a bit saddened tonight because the mercury is plummeting again and my thoughts revolve around the poor Afghan children who are sitting on dirt or cold concrete floors.  They are huddled together around a wood burning stove or wrapped in a blanket in attempt to stay warm and survive the night.  I am encouraged knowing the thousand blankets we handed out recently will provide some additional warmth and comfort.  But I find myself angered at the corrupt Afghan government ministers and officials who continuously siphon off foreign aid intended to better this country.  Even now as I write this entry, 15 of the current and former ministers are under investigation for corruption, President Karzai refuses to sign their arrest warrants and revoke their special immunity so they can be arrested and tried in a special court.

I also think about the hundreds of family members who have lost a military member in this war.  Their chairs at their dinner tables are empty for a different reason.  These brave men and women had their life taken while fighting in defense for the freedom of Afghanistan and our country.  My thoughts and prayers go out to these families as they try to mend together their lives that have been forever changed.  I also think about my military brothers who have suffered an injury in this war.  Some of these injuries are not visibly apparent either and disguised as PTSD.  I pray that God will comfort them on their road to recovery.  Union General William Tecumseh Sherman once said “War is hell” and today is no different.

Tomorrow will be another day and while many will look forward to the weekend football games or shopping excursions, know that the security of our country there and abroad rest with the all-volunteer force who serve our great and proud nation.  Happy Thanksgiving to my wife Liisa, my family in Pennsylvania and to America.  We are so blessed, lest we never forget that.