A Farewell to Arms
Memorial Day 2009 will be one that I remember for the rest of my life. By my own admission I’ve not treated Memorial Day with the appropriate gravitas. Like many Americans, I’m embarrassed to say, I understood why we celebrated it but failed to completely embrace it. It tended to be another day off to barbeque and spend time at home.
It is humbling to stand in a war zone and see your country’s flag flown at half mast in honor of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice on her behalf. I think back to others in my family that glimpsed a similar site. My father in Vietnam, with the Sky Soldiers, and his father before him with the Tough Hombres at Normandy; I’m just the next in line to pick up the family trade; the profession of arms.
This year is different though. I lost one of my soldiers several nights ago during a mortar attack. He wasn’t an American but he was no less a patriot and no less my soldier. He was a Sergeant in the Afghan National Army. He’ll have to remain nameless as those that wished to do his country harm will still attempt to reach out and harm his family even after his passing.
In a country where so many chose to sit on the sideline, to wait and critique he chose to pick up arms and insure that his country would not be ruled by a despot or religious fanaticism. He fought to guarantee a better future for his fellow citizens.
He chose a life of hardship and danger. Serving beside the best equipped and trained military in the world; while he fought to the best of his ability with what his country supplied him. His spirit and his determination moving him forward into battle.
His sacrifices will not be forgotten. Yesterday we had his memorial service; much different than what we have for US soldiers. We gathered behind the mosque; we being ANA, ETT and the CF Company here. The death of one soldier no matter the country is memorialized by all. ACM bullets, rockets and mortars do not differentiate between US and Afghan.
The mullah sang several suras from the Koran and the Kandak Commander spoke about the important choices each had made to defend their country. Not that much different from what a US Commander would say. Even through my interpreter I understood the meaning, “Don’t let your brother die in vain, keep up the fight.”
After this we departed and the Kandak entered the mosque to pray and remember their brother. That it was Memorial Day in the US made it all the more poignant. As I walked back across the FOB my boots stirred up the chalky Afghan soil that has absorbed so much Afghan and American blood.
Some reading this may wonder why I’ve chosen to write about an Afghan on Memorial Day. When there are so many great Americans to be remembered. I see no difference between my dead ANA soldier and Americans, if I could; I would have made him an honorary American citizen there on the spot. He embodied what we believe in, the fight for what is right.
So, this Memorial Day and those forward will be much different. I’ll remember those who’ve sacrificed for my country and celebrate their lives, but I’ll also remember a lone Afghan sergeant who perished in a distant corner of the world. In hope that one day his country will be free from tyranny and evil.
Wow.
Thank you. Very moving and leaves me speechless and in profound appreciation.
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Man, can you write! I wish your "pictures" were out for all to read, so we could absorb the complexity of your service. (for which, of course, I thank you). Perhaps it is you, and other champions of freedom who should be honored with Afghani citizenship as the country emerges from the grip of barbaric inhumanity? Love, love, love reading your "pictures".
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Because, that is what it is all about! Thank you.
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Each time I read your words I feel so moved by all your thoughts. I wish more than anything you would write a book - your words open a window that allows us into your and our soldiers world that we don't see, and many times, don't understand. Your words, and the pictures they paint, help so much, not only for those of us that have loved ones in harm's way, but also for those that have a loved one that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Too bad politicians don't read this blog, because maybe, just MAYBE they would get just a glimpse and possibly begin to understand what it is like on the other side, and how people are really affected by this thing called war. Your words are the heart and soul of the soldiers who do what he or she is asked of them by this country of ours - not always in total agreement with it all, but do it you do, for the honor and the duty of the red, white and blue, and hopefully, for the betterment of others. Please keep writing. God Bless You, and safe journey.
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A beautiful, eye-opening tribute.
Bless you.
Stay safe.
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You said it all. Amen
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We are humbled by the sacrifices of others....and his was an extreme sacrifice. It does not matter that he was not an American. He was a comrade, as you were on the same team. Of course, you will remember for the rest of your life, as he was your brother. All of us have paid dearly...and this is not the end of it, as history teaches us, we must continue to defend that which is right....and we will!
God Bless....
JERSEY ANGEL
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Thank you so much for such a stirring tribute. As usual most people only hear about the Afghans that cause trouble. Thank you for your service and your heart.
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Major, I just read your tribute to your fallen comrade and it brought tears to my eyes. Memories of 43 years ago came flooding back to the losses we suffered aboard USS Bennington during Viet-nam. Know that Nadine and I are praying for your and the safety of all of your troops in-country. Hope you got the packages we sent.
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Oh man, thank you again for what you do, and for keeping us in the loop. The screen is a little blurred here. God bless you and yours.
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Words can not express the sadness of the loss of a soldier.Makes no difference, ANA or ETT, they are to be thanked.
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Excellent post Sir! And an excellent reminder that others deserve our respect too!
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Wow. I'm in tears, thank you for sharing and thank you for your service. I pray that one day the people of Afghanistan will know the freedom that we so often take for granted.
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6, my worst day in Afghanistan an IED tore the whole front end off of an ANP LTV, including the whole cabin area. Four of my ANP died, three of them instantly and horribly. Another died minutes later. One miraculously survived, medevac'd to Bagram.
All most people could say was, "At least they weren't Americans."
It's not the height of fashion to be a patriot these days, but they still exist. Right now you are surrounded by them, both American and Afghan. It won't be much longer and you will not be in such company on a daily basis, and you will notice it.
Hang in there and finish strong. Dig your plan for the FNG's.
Thanks for your post.
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The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 05/27/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
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Thank you very much for writing this perspective. It is very easy to forget the service of those not of your own nationality and faith. In these anti-muslim times, this text nearly moved me to tears, scandinavian agnostic that I am. My compliments, sir.
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A Patriot is a Patriot, no matter what flag he fights under. I will pray for this Sgt. and his family who gave up so much to be free. I will pray that this man's children will realize what their father did, he did for love. I will pray that his widow will know the peace her husband paid so dearly to earn for her. I will pray that the evil people in that far away country will come to the conclusion that the Afghan People will continue to rise up and fight for their freedom, no matter the cost, and will finally stop their aggression towards unarmed civilians. I will pray that OUR Heroes will come home safe and sound, to their loved ones. We all share the same struggle, no matter what name you give God, He is still the same.
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I just want to say that everything I have read of yours has really touched home for me & I am an Army veteran who served 12 years, now my oldest boy goes to basic in 3 weeks. People like you reinforce to me how great the Army of today really is. I know that this Army has some of the most patriotic and intelligent soldiers we have ever had. Part of that is because everyone serving right now, has volunteered or reenlisted KNOWING that they WILL serve in a combat zone, many are giving up a lot (as did Pat Tillman) just for the opportunity to serve their country. May God Bless you and those serving with you. Keep up the good fight over there and KNOW that we are doing all we can here in the fight against the socialist here at home. We want you all to come home to a country that you can still be proud of and be proud for your kids to grow up in. So just pass on to the guys that we (many being veterans) are fighting with all we have as well, and we still know and will keep our oath to defend our constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. Keep up the good fight my brother!!! You all are always in our hearts.
Dwayne aka Cobra One on the blogs.
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Eloquently written and I think you remind us why we're there and what the fight is all about.
Thanks - enjoy reading your blogs.
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late getting here - this one leaves me speechless. I bow in honor of every brave man and woman who sheds blood in the name of freedom. May God comfort the families, and protect all of our warriors, wherever they are and wherever they come from.
And may God bless you, for this deeply moving tribute. Maybe I'm getting old and soft - but I can hear Taps playing in the distance now.
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Thank you for sharing with us. And thank you for fighting so well and hard for Their freedom as well as ours. You do us all Proud! RIP Afghan Sergeant
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While people rage over the moral equivalence of orphan girls -- Freidman and Cohen that is, not Bill and Bob or Old Blue -- I find your post soothes my conscience. I am guilty of commenting, "Every time a taliban bleeds a girl gets to read." Not that I believe the US military is in Afghanistan for civil rights, but I love this as a bonus. It reminds me of how General MacArthur made women's suffrage occupation policy in Japan after WWII. But here you are rightly reminding me the ANA are righteous soldiers too. Because he stood with you on the line dreaming of something better for the children of Afghanistan, then so can I. He is my soldier too, and I will mourn his passing as we all should. RIP
http://afghanquest.com/?p=311
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Your blog if the synthesis of everything my dad and husband taught.
Our one and only son heads for boot camp in two weeks (doing it early as a member of Sea Cadets, in puruit of his dream of being a SEAL) My heart and prayers are with you, and your family now that you're home (YEAH!)I pray that we leave the Afghans a more secure homelan than we did the South Vietnamese and Cambodians. You will be a part of the reason that will occur.
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