I Have A Dream for Afghanistan

This particular week has been a very busy week for us here in ARSIC-S. We had a visit by the Commander of AMC, (U. S. Army Materials Command). General Griffin, a very powerful man, in charge of acquistions for the army from everything from bullets to equipment. He supports the warfighter.... General Griffin was here to see what our equipment needs are. The ARSIC staff, led by LTC Blake Storey did an outstanding job articulating the needs of this command. If there is anyone that can get us what we need it is GEN Griffin. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to brief a four-star general on our communications requirements here.... His visit was also timely as our equipment needs will most assurdly change as the Marines arrive in a few months. The picture below is yours truly with GEN Griffin, he presented our entire staff a coin for the professionalism in our brief.







Our commander, COL Thomas L. McGrath is on a much deserved leave with his family, in his absence, COL Cory Cannon is in charge of the ARSIC. COL Cannon is the Senior Mentor for the 205th Corp Commander, BG Niebe. The picture below is of COL Cannon and BG Niebe having an Afghan moment. The Afghans are very touchy feely, and my good friend COL Cannon has really adapted well to the Afghan social custom. But they are a little to close for my taste..... I would have never thought they would have gotten him to dress up like that......Truthfully, they have become good friends as well as professional officers.... BG Niebe commands over 10,000 Afghan soldiers. Don't they look nice..





LTC Blake Storey the acting Chief of Staff, for LTC Burke, whom also is on leave in Canada with his family. Blake is the "Real Deal". He is one of the most professional and experienced officers we have on our staff. It is a real honor to serve with him on this deployment. Pictured below is Blake conducting a staff meeting.







We also had a major RIP of personnel this past week. Two great friends and soldiers departed for the US to be back with their families and onward to their next assignments. LTC Danny Morton, Medical Mentor, friend, and fellow staff officer completed his one-year tour in Afghanistan is awarded a Letter of Appreciation by LTC Blake Storey.




Also pictured below is SGM Aaron Keener who received a Letter of Appreciation for his service and support of this command. Keener is another top-notch NCO that is the epitomy of a leader. One of his favorite quotes were " You have to know what right looks like"




I titled this edition of my blog "I Have A Dream for Afghanistan". This week we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, whom efforts helped transform a nation and won the rights and freedom of millions of Americans. This dream I share for the country of Afghanistan. My dream is that this land, so barren, mountainous, but beautiful, would live out the true meaning of its creed and become a land free of War, free of poverty, free of Taliban influence, and free of foreigners occupying their land. I see a people THRISTY for freedom and for peace. When I look upon the face of a child in this freezing cold temperature, with NO shoes, no socks, barely clothed, my Heart aches. I see the hunger, the need for a warm bath, the need for a home with heat and food to eat. I see kids in dire need of medical care, missing limbs from stepping on mines, missing facial parts from abuse. I see the hurt in their eyes, but most of all I still see HOPE..... Most of this country want us here, they want our help to rid them of the abuses of the Taliban. The local Afghan don't know how to go about helping in this change, with the literacy rate at 36% and that is optimistic... How do you help a country where less than half cannot read or put food on the table. "With God's Help and One Day At A Time"



Afghanistan, a country approximately the size of Texas, is mixed with several ethnicities. A country where 99% are muslims. This country is ruled largely by tribes, who makes the rules and noone dare challenge their authority. Their laws forbid certain civil rights that so many of us take for granted....




I love my country but so many Americans have forgotten the struggle that patriots like Dr. Martin Luther King and others paid so dearly, so that we all can eat at the same table, go to the same schools and even vote. The people of Afghanistan share in this struggle, pray with me and for these people. I know that God has a plan. My wish is for these kids to one day have the same opportunities that we have, make their own decisions in life and to know some of the joy and happiness WE have been so richly blessed with....





How do you not share in this dream? How do you look at these kids and say, that is your problem? We are all God's children, and with that all brothers and sisters. I know that there will be a change in this place, I feel it in my soul. I know that we are making a difference, I see it in the face of the children that wave and try to talk to us. So many of you have sent over care packages for these kids and for the people of Afghanistan... "Thank You so much"