Pennsylvania Visit

Hey there followers,

Another rather un-eventful week. The temperatures are ever so slightly dropping, but it is still above 100 for the high each day. From what I see in the forecast, we still have a couple of weeks before we dip below that line.
Of note was my lunch last Monday (August 24). There was an e-mail put out looking for servicemen/women from Ohio and Pennsylvania who would like to have lunch with a delegation of Congressmen/Senators from those states. I figured, why not. I got there at 1130, got my lunch and waited. And waited. They were supposed to be there by 1145, but finally showed up at 1215. No big deal; these guys are important. Of course, I had a meeting at 1300 I had to make. As it turned out, the only rep from PA was Senator Bob Casey. I ended up sitting next to him, and we chatted for a while. There were only four of us from Pennsylvania there, so it was a nice talk. He thanked us for our service and chatted us up with all the latest from home regarding the economy and health care. Health care drug out the longest; I think he is trying to sell it. (Full disclosure: I am not political wonk, so I didn’t even know Casey is a Democrat. My Republican friends will probably never talk to me again!) Overall, though, it was a pleasant experience. I shook his hand and thanked him for coming over to see us. Then we took a picture with him. It just so happened that each branch of the service is represented. From left to right in the picture is a sailor is in the Navy (wearing Army ACUs), me in the Air Force, Senator Casey, a Marine Colonel and an Army Colonel. I understand the Senator Casey keeps a blog, but I have not had a chance to see if he updated it to mention Afghanistan. If you check it out, let me know if he mentions me. We’re old friends now.

Later,

-Dave

Ramp Ceremony

Hey followers.
As you have no doubt noticed, I try to make light of the things and circumstances in my life, particularly on this deployment. But this post will be different. Tonight I attended a Ramp Ceremony.
Every time a hero falls in our area of the theater, their bodies are brought to Kandahar and prepared for travel back to the States. For each and every one of the fallen, there is a Ramp Ceremony. There are several every week, which is far more than I care to think about. They park an aircraft, in this case a C-17 (a rather large plane) on the ramp with its tail door open. The “task force” - those of us in attendance - stand in formation on both sides of the path leading to the tail of the plane. Once the ceremony begins, everybody is called to attention. Tonight, there were several hundred servicemen/women in the formation. A military pastor says a few words and leads a prayer. The group is called to present arms, and everyone renders a salute as the casket is carried past the formation on the shoulders of men from the deceased’s unit. Tonight, the soldier was a Green Beret, so the casket was followed by a soldier playing a hymn on the bagpipes. The casket is carried up the tail of the plane and set down in the cargo hold. Taps is played. The colors – the American flag and the Army flag - are retired and the formation marches off the ramp to be dismissed. In all, it lasted about 20 minutes.
As I said earlier, there are several of these ceremonies during the week. The time of the ceremony is based on the availability of the plane and the remains, so they happen at all times of the day or night. The times are distributed via e-mail to all at KAF. I happened to find myself available at the set time tonight and it was recommended that I attend at least one during my time in theater. So I decided to go.
I did not know the fallen soldier. There was only handful of people there who did. I surmised from what the pastor said that he was a medic killed in the line of duty. He is survived by his parents and a sister, so I figured he was rather young. As we were dismissed and I was walking from the area, I noticed a small group of soldiers, all wearing green berets, standing and looking at the plane. So, I stole a look over my shoulder to see what they were looking at. As emotional as the ceremony was, this sight hit me the hardest. There, in the middle of that large cargo area, was a lone, flag draped coffin. The sole cargo for this mission. His friends stayed to watch the cargo bay door close.
I’ve been here in Afghanistan for 34 days. Attending this ceremony was the most worthwhile thing I have done.
Thanks for listening.

-Dave

Jingle Trucks

Hey there followers,

I hope all is well at home. I've been keeping up with the Eagles via the internet and I see Stewart Bradley (MLB) is out for the year. Well, it never fails; somebody always bites the dust. But, confidence fellow Eagles fans! They will prevail, if only because I am here and will miss the whole season. That’s just how the football gods work.

Anyway, on to Kandahar. Still hot (hasn’t been a day under 100 since arrival), still dusty, still smelly. But, I do seem to be getting use to it all. I’m not really sure if that is a good or bad thing.

The pictures are of what are commonly known as “jingle trucks” around here. They are driven by locals and third country nationals delivering gravel and other goods from destinations afar. Seems there is not a lot of natural beauty in the area, so they paint the trucks to make up for it. I wasn’t sure why they were called jingle trucks until the other day. One was working its way down the street I was walking along, stopping and starting because of traffic (it can get bad on base). Hanging from the front bumper were hundreds of little chains with metal discs hanging at the bottom of them, like those little wind chimes. Start, stop – jingle, jingle. Not something you see everyday back home. Some are more ornate than others. I'm not sure if it is reflective of status or just artistry. If I find out more, I'll be sure to let you know.

Not a lot else going on. Just the same old thing – everybody wants something, and they want it now. Eberybody is top priority! "I have a general with eyes on this project!" There must be a lot of generals out there looking at this base. We try to please, but some folks just need that 2x4 between the eyes. Like the Eagles, we will prevail!

Until next time…

-Dave

Sundays in Afghanistan

Hey folks, welcome to another installment. Sunday's are my favorite day here because we go "casual" and take it easier. We still work, but we wear our PT clothes (shorts/t-shirt) and only go to the office for a few hours. Or at least try. I was in for a while today, but I really didn't want to do anything else. I had an electrical issue to straighten out and I caught up on some e-mails. Nobody came knocking on my door looking for something, so that alone makes it a good day. It gives me something to look forward to each week.

A few more pics to share from the Boardwalk. This one is a view of Tim Horton's, which is Canadian for Dunkin' Donuts. (I think Tim Horton is a famous hockey player that got into the coffee/pastry business up north. Take off, eh!)


This is a shot from the corner at Tim Horton's looking down one side of the Boardwalk. Notice the fast food joints.


And here is the American icon, Burger King. I haven't tried any of the food yet. I ordered a diet coke the other day hoping to get a cup with ice and soda, but all I got was a can of soda. Cool at best. What is the deal with no ice around here!


Well, time for bed here in Afghanistan. Take care, stay in touch, and thanks for the kind thoughts/prayers. They are well received.

Later,

-Dave