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October 2008
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There are times when a picture just isn't enough. While an image is said to be worth uncounted numbers of words, words nonetheless still hold power to move our thoughts and stir our hearts. I was standing at the edge of a cooking fire built by the Afghan soldiers. They were preparing their one meal for the day, as the the sun began to a set and the day's fast for Ramadan was coming to a close. A young Specialist from the 10th Mountain company we were attached to came up to me. He asked me who I was, who I worked for. Then he added, "I'm counting my days. Eight months is a long time away from home in a country like this." The events of the past few months here have challenged us all. From troop losses to the political climate back home, it is easy to forget who we are, what we face, and where we came from. I for one made a choice to follow these soldiers here to Afghanistan. Not because of a love of war, or any self-serving desires, but because I believe in the dedication of these men and women and in the basis for our presence here in Afghanistan. No one said it would be easy; war never is. A few nights ago I received an email from my uncle. He's a former Marine aviator. Proud and outspoken, he represents the voice of a generation that is now passing into history. Change is part of our culture. It is as much a part of our lives as daily prayer is to the Afghans. My uncle comes from a time of honored service to the country; he's given back and so his views strike a deep chord within me. He wrote, "I hate to admit it, but I am loosing my confidence in our political system... " as he went on to voice his opinions on our willingness to relinquish leadership and steer away from who we are. "This country is in a state of denial when it comes to our danger from the Islamic world and what it will take to survive this onslaught to our way of life." Denial has become a force greater than all the military might that we can muster. On another day, a soldier in his late twenties struck up a conversation with me as we waited for one of the vehicles to be repaired. He had been down in Helmund Province, in Panjawi during Operation Medusa. "I always thought I wanted to get into the fight." He looked down, and stirred the ground with his foot. "Seeing a dead American wasn't something I was prepared for." During that operation there was an embedded trainer that was killed, Sgt. First Class Fuga. A stocky Samoan who had signed his papers for a third tour just a few days prior. What I learned was that the soldier that I was talking with was one of the two Americans that had carried Fuga's body from the battle field. He went on to say, "That wasn't fighting, it was war. I'll fight again if I have to, but I'm ready to go home." We continued to talk. Fuga and I had been together during Operation Mountain Thrust back in July. His death, along with that of Sgt. Lindsey hit me harder than I had expected. We all develop deep bonds to one another here through our experiences. We are strangers only until we step into the world of unknowns. Then in those moments of shared risk, we forge friendships that will last our lifetimes. As our conversation continued, we talked of the experiences of death. I listened to this soldiers words and then added some of my own. "Sadly, it is through war that the soldier develops some of the greatest insights into our humanity. In those moments of silence that follow as we gaze upon the dead, we share a bond of knowing and of respect. He who lays before our feet has died for something he believed in. We understand him, not as an enemy, not as a soldier, but as man. He becomes human, and we become changed." He looked at me and paused for a moment, staring at me with a look that almost seemed surprised, yet at the same time relieved. Then added, "You get it. You understand." The soldiers that are here don't get the luxury of saying "no." They have to face challenges and risks that most Americans can only imagine or vicariously live through television and movies. There is at times resentment that builds on this side of the world, hearing and reading of all of the things that essentially are not important. As one soldier stated simply, "After you live through this, the telephone bill doesn't seem that important anymore." Life gets reframed here, as the experiences and challenges place daily life and those many moments in between higher on the order of ranking. You live more within your means, if for no other reason than because here you have no choice. Nationalism succumbs to daily survival which becomes defined by the buddy on your right and the buddy on your left. Politics are left to those at home. Our country is struggling with the pain and costs of war. It's time for an azimuth check, and for all of those back home to start taking the same level of dedication and responsibility of citizenship that the soldiers do as a matter of course. As a republic, our country has become too willing to worry about the material gains, and the empty collection of things, at the expense of community involvement, getting to know your neighbor on your right and on your left, and at the expense of the one thing that affects change... the individuals right and responsibility to vote. Simple values and duties that seem far more important on this side of the world where those rights have yet to be secured. With an additonal load of wood, the cooking fire was now raging. The Afghan soldiers began to add rice to the boiling water inside of the large black pot. The solider from the 10th Mountain and I continued to talk. As the sun began to set, and shadows from the trees began to cast their long mark across the hillside, that soldier extended his hand, "Thanks. Knowing that you're here to tell our story has given me the strength to carry on another eight months if I have to." Hopefully, he'll be able to return home soon. Videos: Click here for video page Archived blogs: RSS feed: Click here Copyright, Scott Kesterson- 2006 15 CommentsLeave a comment |
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Beautifully written once again.
Thank you, Mr. Kesterson, for your blog which gives me insight and for your thought provoking sentiments.
Scott, its nice to see good reporters like yourself have not forgoten us here in Afghanistan. Thanks for your hard work. I hope to see you about as we both trek the mountains and deserts of this war-torn country. God Bless!
Thank you so much for your blog. I've emailed you about my son before. He's in a fob (Varner and Apache) in Zabul province. I hope you don't mind...I have printed out this post and will mail it to him...I talked to him today and I think he needs, and would love to read it....
Thanks again...
Ruth Ann
Hi Scott! I just wanted to tell you how very much I appreciate your blog. My husband is there too. Take care and God Bless to you all!!
Michelle'
I've been mailing care packages to the troops for over 2 years and really appreciate your writings. Thank you.
THanks Scott for continuing to tell the stories from Afghanistan. I`ve told so many people about your site & what a wonderful writer you are.JUst came back from visiting family in NJ & took photos you had taken of Chuck to show relatives. Carol
Scott,
Thank you for what you are doing!I read your blog regularly and have a link to it on my website.Having just returned about 3 months ago from So. Afghanistan as an ETT.....your blog is my connection to my buds that are still there. The media seldom....if ever....reports anything from OEF.We met at Camp Apache near Qalat.At first I was skeptical about having a reporter with us in the battlefield.After getting to know you and seeing some of what you report,I knew that everything was O.K.I commend you for what you are doing.You are reporting the "real mission",and not what you think the media whats to be seen or told.
I hope you don't mind, but I am quoting some of your blog here:
"The soldiers that are here don't get the luxury of saying "no." They have to face challenges and risks that most Americans can only imagine or vicariously live through television and movies. There is at times resentment that builds on this side of the world, hearing and reading of all of the things that essentially are not important. As one soldier stated simply, "After you live through this, the telephone bill doesn't seem that important anymore." Life gets reframed here, as the experiences and challenges place daily life and those many moments in between higher on the order of ranking. You live more within your means, if for no other reason than because here you have no choice. Nationalism succumbs to daily survival which becomes defined by the buddy on your right and the buddy on your left. Politics are left to those at home.
The thing you wrote;"After you live through this,the telephone bill doesn't seem that important anymore".
How true this is! Since my return from that place,my life has taken a new direction and my priorities are forever changed.Those words that you wrote tell everyone that has never had to endure such risks and hardships the real story. Thank you Scott.
Mr. Kesterson,
I found your blog while searching for information on the 45th Bde. Please let the soldiers know that we are praying for them, and that we have the utmost respect for the work they are doing as well as every confidence that they will complete the task with honor.
Thank you for conveying these important messages and images from Afghanistan.
Your blog makes me feel closer to my son who is over there. He has a young wife and a 9 month old son, who he hasn't seen since he was 2 months old. Keep up the good work. And once again, thanks Kathy
Hello Scott,
I am just a German visitor of your website.
I watched your video tapes. I am so much thankfull to the Canadian soldiers!
You wrote, quote: "This country is in a state of denial when it comes to our danger from the Islamic world and what it will take to survive this onslaught to our way of life."
This former Marine aviator took the words right out of my mouth. I cannot express my thought so good in English, but this man said what I would also say.
My best wishes,
Reinhard Angermaier
Scott,
I just wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and to say thank you. Though the words just don't seem enough.
You are there with my boyfriend now... you actually left Shelby the same time he did too.
He's a medic at Apache and is the love of my life. You have been my connection to what is really going on. You are the voice of the ones who are keeping us safe. And you tell the truth when no one else will... and I thank you for that.
My boyfriend told me on the phone tonight how much it means to him that you are really there with them, in the trenches so to speak. He expressed his utmost respect for you and how much he has enjoyed being able to talk with you... "you being someone who actually understands".
My prayers and love are with you all....
Thank you again! Please keep safe
Hay Scott This is SSG Fish
I really want to thank you for all that you do for us soldiers hear. I really like talking to you when i see you and i know im speeking for many of us when I say you arn't just another reporter, you are a soldier and a brother just for the service you do for us. Thanks agon and stay safe.
My son is 10th Mountain and has just moved from Kabul over to Mehter Lam. He has been there a year this month, his tour is up and his enlistment is up. We have had some very heated arguments, I want him to come home and experience the good life and he is determined to re=up. I am so frustrated and angry at the colossal waste of it all that I can't even write this response without breaking down and feeling total dispare. The picture in the blog could be my kid stirring the pot of food. He's living off emergency rations,campfire cooking, 13-14 hour workdays, freezing, and for what???And yet, when I talk to him, his repsonse is he could do more.
Scott super job! My son recommends your site to his avid readers and I can see why. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
Our son is in Tarin Kowt Afghanistan and he recommended your blog to us. He says Americans have forgotten the soldiers there--and it is good to see that you have not. Thank you
Patricia