Thanksgiving In Afghanstan ~
Patrols and turkey in Afghan war zone
By DENIS D. GRAY, Associated Press Writer Denis D. Gray, Associated Press Writer - Thu Nov 26, 3:15 am ET
BARAKI-BARAK, Afghanistan - Thanksgiving Day for soldiers in this valley ringed by towering snowy peaks began with a 6-mile (10-kilometer) slog to aid village schools without desks and windows, and promises to end with five, once scrawny local turkeys soldiers have been fattening up for the past month.
“Just another day, another mission,” several soldiers said as a 25-man patrol from Able Troop, 3-71 Cavalry Squadron, 10th Mountain Division, set out on a cold morning under brilliantly blue skies.
Also ~
11/26/2009Mangulzai, Afghanistan — As Americans turn off the lights in their homes Thursday after a day of celebration, a group of U.S. Marines and their families will just be starting theirs.
The first units of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines are scheduled to land in California Thursday night after nearly seven months in Afghanistan.
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For Marines here there won’t be dining halls with heaps of turkey that you’ll see on television news reports from large bases such as Bagram and Kandahar. The Marines of 1-5 will awaken shivering in unheated tents or on cots in the open (it was 25 degrees the other morning) and will eat their meals amid the hinterland dust.
Go over to Brat’s site to see a video and article, Thanksgiving meals sent to deployed Troops :
4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker)
Also, read this there too:
11/24/2009 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) — Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band made their first appearance in Afghanistan performing for hundreds of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Coast Guard members Nov. 23 here.
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Military Moms
The polls may say that America’s support for the wars is declining (a really nice thing to broadcast over and over again on the 24/7 news ~ I’m sure the troops really, really appreciate hearing that…), that America is “war-weary”. Well, as I’ve said before, I believe America is “politics-weary” and I also believe that most Americans want our troops to go for Victory, even if the CIC (in name only) doesn’t. The news may focus on all those whiny, clueless-of-reality putzes that think if we just put down our guns, the rainbows and unicorns will come out and we can start handing out Cokes to the world and everyone will love us. Unfortunately, these pathetic sheeples seem to own the airwaves right now. But, I know that it is just ridiculous spin because there are millions of us, who do not make the news, that believe in our Troops and their mission.
Yes, we’re war-weary. Who isn’t? Yes, we prefer peaceful times. Who the hell doesn’t? Certainly not those who have loved ones on the frontlines! Yes, we would rather they were sitting at the table with us at holidays and not on some god-forsaken spit of desert or mountain top.
Unfortunately, there is a large faction in this world who do not have any intention of bringing forth “peaceful times”. And they don’t give a good goddam about our being “war-weary”.
Fortunately, we have a large faction of men and women who do give a good goddam.
Who are you going to stand with?
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