I dont have a lot of time, but I want to give a quick shout out to Girl Scout Troop 252 from Immaculate Heart of Mary school in Lansing MI for sending 2nd Platoon a giant box loaded with girl scout cookies. I have loaded them on our truck and I'm sure they will be gone within minutes of our arrival at our next destination!
Thanks to everyone for all your support. You have no idea how much your words of encouragement and generous packages help us through the long, hot Afghanistan summer.
Until next time...
Chris
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Q/A 6/26 version...
Emails with questions are piling up, so I'll knock out a few here before I leave for a few days...
Brittany: Glastonbury, England
Question: You wrote that you like history. What is your favorite period or subject to study?
Answer: To be honest I like anything related to history. I am currently on a World War II binge, reading about the relationship of Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley with the British leadership during the capture of Sicily in 1943. Other than military history though I am into any American history, as well as European history of the last 500 years and the biblical period. I'm also thinking about getting into African history a little more.
Elizabeth: Lansing, MI
Question: What do you miss most about home?
Answer: Well I guess it depends on what you call home right now. I've been stationed at Ft Lewis for almost a year now, my roots are in Michigan where I hope to move back to eventually, but my heart is with my wife, Julie, in Washington, DC.
In Washington the thing I miss the most is the energy at Pike Place Market in Seattle. There are so many great vendors there, and it's always a great atmosphere, 7 days a week. In Michigan the thing I miss most is all the summer activities. From picnics and recreation on Belle Isle in Detroit to fishing in Cadillac, my summers were always spent outdoors. I'm hoping to get to experience part of next summer back in Michigan. Most especially though the thing I miss most is my wife back in Washington, DC. I love to bore her with walking history tours of the city. She takes me somewhere for a sweet treat, then I take her for a walk around that area and tell her what random event in history happened at that particular place.
Mark: Tacoma, WA
Question: How many soldiers are there with you from JBLM?
Answer: I do not know exactly. I know my brigade, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division has about 4,000 soldiers throughout Southern Afghanistan. I'm not sure what other units may be in country right now.
Gordon: Toronto, ON
Question: Do the Canadians still work in the area you are located?
Answer: Although there are still several thousand Canadians in Afghanistan, they do not operate in Southern Afghanistan. They are in areas to the north and east of my location. They did a good job preventing Taliban operations here, now it is our job to turn things over to Afghan National Security Forces.
Until next time...
Chris
Brittany: Glastonbury, England
Question: You wrote that you like history. What is your favorite period or subject to study?
Answer: To be honest I like anything related to history. I am currently on a World War II binge, reading about the relationship of Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley with the British leadership during the capture of Sicily in 1943. Other than military history though I am into any American history, as well as European history of the last 500 years and the biblical period. I'm also thinking about getting into African history a little more.
Elizabeth: Lansing, MI
Question: What do you miss most about home?
Answer: Well I guess it depends on what you call home right now. I've been stationed at Ft Lewis for almost a year now, my roots are in Michigan where I hope to move back to eventually, but my heart is with my wife, Julie, in Washington, DC.
In Washington the thing I miss the most is the energy at Pike Place Market in Seattle. There are so many great vendors there, and it's always a great atmosphere, 7 days a week. In Michigan the thing I miss most is all the summer activities. From picnics and recreation on Belle Isle in Detroit to fishing in Cadillac, my summers were always spent outdoors. I'm hoping to get to experience part of next summer back in Michigan. Most especially though the thing I miss most is my wife back in Washington, DC. I love to bore her with walking history tours of the city. She takes me somewhere for a sweet treat, then I take her for a walk around that area and tell her what random event in history happened at that particular place.
Mark: Tacoma, WA
Question: How many soldiers are there with you from JBLM?
Answer: I do not know exactly. I know my brigade, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division has about 4,000 soldiers throughout Southern Afghanistan. I'm not sure what other units may be in country right now.
Gordon: Toronto, ON
Question: Do the Canadians still work in the area you are located?
Answer: Although there are still several thousand Canadians in Afghanistan, they do not operate in Southern Afghanistan. They are in areas to the north and east of my location. They did a good job preventing Taliban operations here, now it is our job to turn things over to Afghan National Security Forces.
Until next time...
Chris
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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
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
Thursday, June 7, 2012
My Wife...My Life
We've all heard the expression "happy wife-happy life."
It's probably the most accurate statement in all humanity.
Some of you reading this have never met neither me, or my wife. I have talked a lot about what I am doing on this deployment, but I'd like to say a few things about what she is doing...
My wife Julie is a graduate student at George Washington University in Washington, DC. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Athletic Training, she decided to go East while the Army took me West. We ended up 3,000 miles away both in Washington, but different ones. We were married on October 28, 2011 in East Lansing, MI. We are both in love with Michigan, our home state, and look forward to moving back there to raise a family at some point in the future.
Just two days after we were married, we flew back to our separate Washington's. While most people are able to celebrate with a honeymoon, we were just fortunate to be able to be together for Thanksgiving and Christmas, before turning our focus to the upcoming deployment.
We have currently been married for 223 days, yet have only spent 34 days together. In 223 days of marriage I have been able to hug or kiss my wife just 15% of those days. The sacrifices we have made pull at our hearts, yet they pull us closer together as well.
We have mastered old fashioned letter writing, Skype, Facebook, and every possible form of communication. In an age where people no longer memorize cell phone numbers, hers is etched into my brain like the spelling of my own name. The rare chance to call is a precious moment that I always must be ready for.
Julie is truly amazing. On top of a graduate course load, work with her gymnastics team, and an internship with a professional sports franchise, she has somehow found the time to take care of our familial needs as well as regularly mailing packages to Afghanistan for myself and the guys of 2nd platoon.
I have received many emails and messages thanking me for my service, and the sacrifices I make. The truth is, this job is easy for those of us that are here. We are focused on our job and the time flies by. For our spouses though, this is an incredibly difficult time. Without Julie's heart of gold and incredible perseverance I'm not sure I could focus as well as I do on the war effort.
Words cannot describe just how blessed I am to have her in my chain of command. She proves everyday that love and loyalty can conquer time and distance.
Until next time...
Chris
It's probably the most accurate statement in all humanity.
Some of you reading this have never met neither me, or my wife. I have talked a lot about what I am doing on this deployment, but I'd like to say a few things about what she is doing...
My wife Julie is a graduate student at George Washington University in Washington, DC. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Athletic Training, she decided to go East while the Army took me West. We ended up 3,000 miles away both in Washington, but different ones. We were married on October 28, 2011 in East Lansing, MI. We are both in love with Michigan, our home state, and look forward to moving back there to raise a family at some point in the future.
Just two days after we were married, we flew back to our separate Washington's. While most people are able to celebrate with a honeymoon, we were just fortunate to be able to be together for Thanksgiving and Christmas, before turning our focus to the upcoming deployment.
We have currently been married for 223 days, yet have only spent 34 days together. In 223 days of marriage I have been able to hug or kiss my wife just 15% of those days. The sacrifices we have made pull at our hearts, yet they pull us closer together as well.
We have mastered old fashioned letter writing, Skype, Facebook, and every possible form of communication. In an age where people no longer memorize cell phone numbers, hers is etched into my brain like the spelling of my own name. The rare chance to call is a precious moment that I always must be ready for.
Julie is truly amazing. On top of a graduate course load, work with her gymnastics team, and an internship with a professional sports franchise, she has somehow found the time to take care of our familial needs as well as regularly mailing packages to Afghanistan for myself and the guys of 2nd platoon.
I have received many emails and messages thanking me for my service, and the sacrifices I make. The truth is, this job is easy for those of us that are here. We are focused on our job and the time flies by. For our spouses though, this is an incredibly difficult time. Without Julie's heart of gold and incredible perseverance I'm not sure I could focus as well as I do on the war effort.
Words cannot describe just how blessed I am to have her in my chain of command. She proves everyday that love and loyalty can conquer time and distance.
Until next time...
Chris
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