 |
 |
|
|
|
|
October 2008
Categories
News More KGW Blogs
|
As many readers have noted, there has been a gap of a couple of weeks in writing. During that period, I was in the field with Canadian forces and US Army National Guard Embedded Trainers for operation Mountain Thrust here in southern Afghanistan. Due to operational security restrictions, I was unable to post my departure or my time away prior to leaving the base here in Kandahar. I have now returned, with new material, and with yet another massing of stories from these soldiers. Over a period of 14 days, we were engaged in fighting eight times. There were no casualties with the group I was with. On day two, however, a young Canadian from a platoon operating several hundred meters from our position was killed by a Chechnyan sniper. The operations here in Afghanistan, as I have commented on so many times, began with the attacks on September 11, 2001. Yet, the operations of the past days that I was part of were led by Canadians. What has resulted is a bonding of US and Canadian forces never before seen. They are not just our neighbor to the north, they have proven themselves to be fighters and soldiers worthy of the highest honors that the US Army offers its own. On our first morning of being attacked, I found myself holding back tears as I filmed Canadians fighting a fight that began on American soil. In interviews that followed, I discovered the depth of commitment that these soldiers held in their hearts, as they expressed their belief in purpose and shared their emotions, at times with tears. Two countries, each proud of their roots and history, unified across the border that distinguishes each of us.
Since my return I have responded to several queries about the video stories. I think it is important to understand how I see this project. My writing and photos are as important as the videos that I post. I am not stopping my writing; to the contrary, there are many more written stories in my head than I am able to manage with the time that I have. I suspect that there will be need for a book following all of this. However, video in photojournalism is an important part of the future of story telling, providing us with the motion, sights and sounds that text cannot re-create. We are limited at times by the technology itself that is available through interactive media, both in access and quality... the latter point I struggle with daily. That said, the importance of the video story remains. So to clarify concerns, there are many more written stories to come, as there are equally many more video stories to tell. Finally, this project is a long and demanding one. The intent of the project is to offer regular reports as an embed, focusing on the soldier's perspective with the eventual goal of producing a documentary film, and, as I stated above, a possible book or two from the experience. Ambitious and demanding goals that will take a great deal of time and patience. With all of that said, there will be gaps in my reporting, as I move about, at times far away from connectivity. I ask for your patience. As I stated back in March at the beginning of this project, I am a freelance photojournalist. I am not on anyone's salary. The majority of this project has been self-funded. I have committed myself to this project because of my belief in its subject matter and the story that has not been told. I am grateful for the hosting provided by KGW.com and their continued support, as well as the support extended by the Dallas Morning News. Sitting in the shadows of all of this is David Leeson, a Pulitzer Prize recipient, my mentor and my friend; I am forever grateful for all that he does in support of my project. And of course, my many thanks to all of the readers that follow this blog. Your words and emails are the unexpected rewards of my work. The past two weeks have been demanding. From patrols to attacks, and an operational tempo that pushed us all to the point of exhaustion, and even the loss of one of my cameras following a fire fight, the soldiers and I became close friends, bridging into that place that only soldiers know... a band of brothers. In the last engagement I had while working with the Canadian soldiers, we were ambushed in a small village in the Helmand province. As a group of three of us were making our way towards the enemy, a Canadian squad leader appeared at our right flank, killing a Taliban soldier that was poised to shoot us. We had not seen the Taliban there; the Canadian saved not only the lives of two of his fellow soldiers, but the life of this American photojournalist. I remember refecting on the incident later that day... "Heros are not made through acts of glory, but by the simple actions of doing their job, and doing it well." Kindest regards,
Archived blogs: RSS feed: Click here Copyright, Scott Kesterson- 2006 3 CommentsLeave a comment |
 |
|
|
|
Thank you for the kind words regarding the US and Canadian soldiers acting together. This is the kind of news that is never reported in Canada. The media portrays Afghanistan as a killing ground into which Canada followed the US like a sheep. Worse, they say that Canada's soldiers are dying for President Bush's alleged oil interests - the usual conspiracy theories. This kind of report should be the standard because it speaks of the heroism and skill of both militaries in action fighting a ruthless enemy that harbored those who attacked the US on September 11.
Thank You
Thanks for this, Scott. There have been many acts of bravery and sacrifice that I've witnessed and heard of since arriving here in the south. Many of our soldiers, our brothers and allies have been killed. I urge everyone to remember the fallen Afghan soldiers as well, who have fought for the survival of their nation fiercely.
Hi Scott My son is the Canadian that shot the taliban trying to get you & 2 soldiers. Glad he was there at the right time, & that he is now back in Canada, by the way I was an American, so he does have connections in the US. Regards Carol