Some great Americans left here today, warriors and statesmen.  They've reached the end of their tour and it's time to head home, their debt to democracy and freedom marked paid in full.

Leaving here doesn't end like a western where you ride off into the sunset.  It comes with an urgent call, "Birds are inbound".  They've known for several days and tried several times to get on a flight out of here, every time the effort comes crashing to a stop with the flights being canceled or too full to take them.   Not today though.

A swirling maelstrom of rotor wash and Afghan dirt signaled their departure.  You're taking a part of Afghanistan home with you, not metaphorically but literally.  The dust is propelled into your clothes,ears, hair, eyes; it's in everything as you stand there.  The howling turbines prevent any kind of conversation, you're reduced to yelling.  Maybe that's best.

We've said goodbye several times, up until now it's all been for naught.  Soldiers aren't the best at communicating things emotional.  We're trained to talk in short terse phrases that match the staccato of the weapons we employ.  It's get the point across but any deeper meaning is lost. 

We say things like,"It's been an honor serving with you"; " Stay safe and see you on the high ground".  But how do you tell someone goodbye that you were prepared to fight and die with if the need arose.  We tell ourselves that we won't get attached to each other just in case something happened, but we do. 

The moment is now upon us and we're at a loss for words.  The things we say to each other may seem trite or impersonal to others but the subtle meaning is there, unspoken; the 300 lb gorilla.  You are my brother and we are forever bonded by this experience.

Let me take a moment to tell you about these great Americans.  Each of them has multiple combat tours, Iraq, Haiti, Kosovo, Bosnia and other places.  They came here because they believed in what the United States is doing.  Prepared to sacrifice everything in order for Afghans to glimpse a small piece of what we each have in America.

They left behind happy homes and a comfortable lives to suffer in a foreign land for an ideal.  Endured bone crushing cold, skin searing heat.  Ate food that would make a normal person sick and saw things that you couldn't put into a movie because you could never get it rated if you did.

They worked side by side with Afghans and came to appreciate them as their brothers, hearts and minds isn't just a catchphrase to them but a way of life.  The ANA are saddened by their leaving. Afghan officers who fought the Red Army in sandals on the verge of tears because they left. Terps who've seen ETTs come and go in the doldrums in their absence.  That is where they won the battle for the freedom of Afghanistan.

These guys aren't Rambo or Arnold, just regular guys who did extraordinary things here, purely because their country asked them to.   This country is full of guys like this, but these ones were "Vampires"  and I had the pleasure and privilege to serve beside them and stand in awe as I watched the do the day to day tasks of rebuilding an Army. 
 
These men demonstrate the values and ethics that I think everyone strives to attain, honesty, mercy, kindness.  Great men of great character.  The are great warriors too; decisive, adaptable and ruthless when the time came to meet our enemies. 

They've done their work and left it to us to continue.  Headed home to what I hope is a life of happiness, peace and prosperity.  They deserve it and have earned it.  Greatness is not found in words but deeds.  Their deeds leave an indelible mark on all of us here and we are better for knowing a serving with them. 

That said the most crushing moment came as they prepared to walk off into the maelstrom of Afghan dirt for which they've sacrificed.  Turning and picking up their bags their parting words were this," Sir, I feel bad leaving you guys; there's still so much to do".  At the moment they should be happiest they think of us and not themselves.  How do you say goodbye to that?

Great Soldiers, statesmen and people that is with whom I serve everyday.

Via con dios, my friends it was truly a pleasure.  It's my honor to serve with you, stay safe we'll see you on the high ground when this all over!