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October 2008
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It's never easy losing a soldier. When you know the person, it's all that more difficult. Oregon lost it's first soldier on this deployment this past weekend, Sgt. Lindsey from Troutdale. I was in Nangalam in the northeastern part of Afghanistan when I received the news. It was an unusual moment for me. I have seen my share of dead in the battles that I have covered over hear. But losing someone from the group that I had been with since March was different. I had come to know Sgt. Lindsey from my time both at Camp Shelby and during the first two months that I was in the Kandahar area. He roomed a few doors down from me. He died as a result of fighting in Operation Medusa. He was functioning as an Embedded Trainer, something he desired to do, mentoring the Afghan Army soldiers. There are few jobs as rewarding or as dangerous as the ETT mission. It is a mission that requires one to rely on the skills and experience that have been gained to guide and train the Afghan soldiers to become better soldiers themselves. That job of the embedded trainer is continuous, even during combat operations. Sgt. Lindsey died doing his job. A few days prior I had been at a fire base near Kandagal, Afghanistan, an hours drive from Nangalam. There were a group of infantry soldiers from this deployment who had been assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in support of operations in that area. All of these soldiers had been in the field for nearly two months. None of them had received much mail or had much contact with their families since they had arrived there. Before I left I asked them if they wanted to write a short note home that I could post as part of a blog. Each of the seven soldiers handed me a note before leaving. On this five year anniversary of 9-11, it seemed appropriate to post those letters. In honor of all of the soldiers that have given up lives to be here to serve a cause that each of them sees as greater than themselves; and, to all of the families who endure the absence of their loved ones. Sgt. Lindsey and his family, like so many that have died over here, have made the ultimate sacrifice for something they believed in. The few letters I collected are posted below, in honor of them all. "Home" is an image that rests in every soldiers heart. Dear Family and Friends, What's up?! Blowing shit up over here. And burning shit in the same day. Hope to make home soon. Miss ya pops and will get in contact with you. Later. To my loving and caring family, What's happenin'.? Just wanted to say "hi" to everyone and let all of you know that I am doing fine. Keep praying for all of us. See ya soon. Love ya fam. Eh friends and family, Pfc. Adams I'm doing fine. Pray for other soldiers. Missing you all. Whitner, Charlie, & Griffen - 3 CommentsLeave a comment |
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You are doing your family and the Oregon National Guard proud. It seems so long since you were an officer candidate and I was your unit clerk. I just heard your name on the news, retirement keeps me in the dark some times, I'm glad you're with the 41st. Thank you for helping the soldiers write to their families and for your time and commitment to be with them and share their stories. God bless.
Thanks Scott for the great job you are doing, make it home afely, please. Shared your writings with my co-workers so they would have some understanding of what really goes on over there. Canadian news shows very little. Thanks, Carol
Scott,
It was good to see you that afternoon on the 11th out at Kabul INT. Airport. Thanks for sharing a few moments, and getting caught up on how we see "The BIG A". I also want to thank you for remembering Sgt. Lindsey, he is missed by "His CAV buddy".. (Inside joke we had.)
I dont get to read your Blog very often, however when I can; I think your right on target with your story and photos. Keep up the great job of telling our story here in a way that others might get a glimps of what its like to be here.
See you agin..keep your lens clean...lol