My Opinion on The War...

I apologize for the delay in posting a new message--it's been a very busy week here in Southern Afghanistan. I will try to post more frequently this week. Also, I had a very large post with 30 or so pictures, but my computer decided to crash. If I can recover them, I will post them.

I received an email from a mother of a soldier in my company who has been reading this blog since the beginning. Her email asked "outside of your thoughts about your work, do you support the war?"

I have 3 answers to this question...

1. I support the soldiers of Blackhawk Company, 1-23 Infantry. I support all soldiers, sailors, and airmen. The work being done is to the highest standards expected of us, and for that I am very proud to be a part of the US Military. I support their families who make great sacrifices as well.

Part of being in the US Military is disliking a great number of things...from leadership, to assigned tasks, and on to minute details, every person in the military has gripes about their job. This is however not any different from any other job, in that regard. Everyone has issues with someone or something at their job.

2. I support the ISAF coalition. I have had a few opportunities to meet soldiers from a handful of the 43 countries involved here. They have been very friendly and although they are from a different country that may not have nearly as many soldiers here, their role is still vital to the cause. Their families are all going through the same emotions of separation that we are, and I respect that as well.

3. Politically, I was not a big fan of this war continuing into a 2nd decade. I felt we should have been gone a few years ago. I joined the military to serve my country though, regardless of my political beliefs.

THEN I ARRIVED HERE...

I now fully support the United States' continued involvement in Afghanistan. As people complain about the cost, the lives lost, and other factors, let me paint a picture for you...

A couple weeks ago I was on a guard shift at our base. A man walked up carrying his son, perhaps 5 or 6 years old. The kid had 3 limbs blown off by an IED, and his other arm was barely hanging on. It was a horrible sight to see. I had to continue with my guard duties, so I was unable to watch as they were ushered into our aid station. Later that night I learned that after attempting to save the boys life he died. His father had to admittedly say that "it is best that he go because as a farmer I would be unable to both take care of him and tend my fields."

This is one example of endless counts of horror being thrust upon the citizens of Afghanistan by a force formerly known as the Taliban, a word which means "student." The horrors that accompany this group, especially towards women is despicable.

Many will argue "it's an Afghanistan issue. Let them deal with it."

Anyone that knows me knows of my passion (damn near obsession) with history. Let me pose this question for you...Was Nazi terror in France and Poland their issue? Was British terror in the American Colonies strictly an American issue? Without the Allied coalition France and Poland would never have been saved. Without the French there would be no United States of America.

In our Declaration of Independence there is a line that states, "Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

There are a bunch of big words here, but they all mean the same thing...people (nations) with the ability to help those with less, have the responsibility to do it. I believe based on this principal, that our being in Afghanistan past 10 years is justified. I believe that we are continuing to provide a strong force to bring down the Taliban, and I believe that with the current timeline provided by President Obama we can provide enough security for Afghan National Security Forces to take over their own free country in the coming years.

I would love to hear your opinions on this matter. What do you think?

Until next time...

Chris