Memorial Day, May 30, 2010

My friend Mary wrote the attached note to her folks back home and she said I could share it with my folks back home. I just couldn't have said it any better.

I am also attaching a group photo of the J4:

The one wearing the helmet is the outgoing J4 director and the one to my left is the incoming J4 Director, another experienced Marine. Logistics representatives from all four branches of service, as well as DOD civilians and contractors are part of the team. This truely is a Joint fight.

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Memorial Day, Kabul Afghanistan, 2010

We celebrated Memorial Day at New Kabul Compound earlier this week. At 1100, all the military were required to muster in the courtyard, and stand in formation until the ceremony began. The first picture is the military mustered, I am on the 3^rd floor balcony of Meyers Barracks, where I am quartered.

It was a typical sunny morning, with the heat of the sun’s rays heavy on the skin. People were for the most part quiet, waiting. The celebrants gathered on the marble circle where the flags are hoisted, our American flag at half-mast. The ceremony was simple, yet moving, with a speech about the origins of Memorial Day, an invocation by the Chaplain, and a moving speech by MG McHale, Deputy Commander, United States Forces – Afghanistan. He spoke of the men who died, and for whom NKC’s buildings are named. Crisostomo Hall, where I work, was named for a Vietnam Vet who voluntarily came back to Afghanistan and died by an IED in 2009. He was 59 years old. Meyers and Freeman Barracks are similarly named for men who died in 2009, here in Afghanistan. The General spoke movingly of their lives, and their deaths. This imbues these buildings with so much more meaning.

We had a barbecue after the lunch. The LNs had decorated the outdoor tables with table cloths and centerpieces.  We felt like a bit of Americana in Kabul—hours earlier than the States, having hotdogs and hamburgers from the grill! I sat with colleagues from the KMO: a civilian, Air Force, Army and a DISA contractor. Then, back to work! Just another day.

The Peace Jirga is being held this week in Kabul, a big event. People have come from all over Afghanistan to meet with President Karzai. All travel that is not absolutely critical has been shut down, and some of the Afghan bazaars as well. I am getting a lot of office work done, as I am staying put on compound. I read where the US is insisting that women’s rights be part of the Jirga. Great!