troop letter: Troops in Afghanistan
November 21, 2009
rockets fell on our unit in Bagram
With the expansion of troops in Afghanistan, the number of American deaths have unfortunately increased (a helicopter crash had the highest toll). Early this month, a soldier was killed near our base, and it was decided we were going to load his body on the plane to fly him out to the US, so the Lieutenant called me into the office and gave me a description of what he wanted for the funeral detail (I was tasked to run the process of loading the soldier on the plane). He was not a part of our unit, and I didn’t know him. Yet, for me, it’s more difficult to handle burial details of soldiers still in their youth (but I feel honored to be selected). At the last minute, the plan changed and they flew his body directly to Bagram.
Although we didn’t have to conduct the mission, it still made me take a moment of reflection to remind family & friends their importance in my life. I would have sent a message sooner, but I had my right heal smashed during an operation. It sounds worse than it looks, plus I’ve been blessed with a spare. I should be back to full speed very soon.
Sometimes it pays to be a slacker: Last Thursday, rockets fell on our unit in Bagram. Two heavy pieces of equipment were destroyed along with 2 20ft metal containers; however, the soldiers took an extra 30min on lunch and they were neither in nor near the vehicles.
Always,
Joseph
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