A changing view! This is the reason We are in afganistan! (1097 hits)
Category: Politics -> AfghanistanRating: 1.73 on 44 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by E H (View user info) at 2003-08-10 11:27:56 EDT
Before you go straight to the rate this item and give me a -2 or any other review, read the post... This actually touched me personally. I really would not appreciate it if you just run and rate without reading.. Thank you for taking the time to read..
Four weeks ago If you would have asked me what my views of operation enduring freedom, and operation Iraqi freedom were I can guarantee they differed from what they are now. I felt as though we should be taking care of the terrorists and the wrongs of the world, but not at the cost of the lives of the troops, or the money from the tax payers. Today I received an opportunity that not many people will ever see in their life time. I went out to a village in Afghanistan on a mission. Not A blow up everything and kill everyone in sight mission, but a humanitarian mission. We were to deliver a few hundred, possibly even thousand dollars worth of food, cloths, and school supplies to the village. We were to ride in a convoy formation, 6 deep plus two in the front. Everyone was briefed and ready to go, everyone knew what they had to do. The trip wasn't but a few klic's down the road from the base/fort. As we pulled out of the base immediately my eyes began scanning everything. From watching the hodgee's with the gun's, to watching the kids wave and give us the thumbs up. I heard the screaming, most of which was pro American slogan's, but I am sure there was a few anti's thrown in there. We did not drive by one person who did not stop whatever they were doing to look at the American soldiers driving down the road. As we approached the village we were welcomed by a camel about 5 feet from my vehicle, the road was one lane. Not many people here can afford a vehicle, so most of the vehicles that are owned are at most a dirt bike. There are however a few taxi's and large delivery trucks.
So driving down this one lane road the village began emerging from the desert. Mud, clay and stray held these buildings together. This was their home, their town. To me it was nothing more then dried mud built up to form a structure. As we drove further into the village I noticed some of the structures had pieces missing. I noticed bullet holes in others, and entire sections crumbled down in more. This was the result of decades of fighting. Years and years of hostile forces attempting to over throw the Afghanistan nation. Some of the elders were missing arms, others had leg injuries. The condition these people lived in amazed me. As we pulled a U in the convoy and security took their position we began unloading an entire truck of supplies. I watched as I carried boxes back and forth from the truck to the drop off point. The look on these peoples faces really made me think of what I had. To think, we were dropping off cloths that no one wanted, food that companies had donated who would surely write them off on their taxes. School supplies that companies such as staple and office depot would too write off as a donation.
The smiles on the kids faces was what touched me. They have nothing, but they were happy. When the truck was finished we began passing out candy for the children, They practiced their English as they came up to me with open hands! " Hi GI How are you?" Others would mutter "Hello mister, how are you?." As we were wrapping up I heard a few kids attempt a thank you. A few elders whom knew a little bit more English spoke, they told us how much better the country is, how much better their life, and the life of their families were because the U.S military was their.
As I drove away all I could think about was the gratitude in those peoples eyes. The thought that I had just done something not many people have or will ever do made it all that much better. Tonight I am going to bed with a warm yet empty feeling inside. Warm because I know I helped those kids, Empty because I can't do anything more. The other thing that makes it somewhat empty is sitting here... Conversing with the folks back home and listening to them talk about their problems. Seeing all that I saw today, and then hearing some say "Oh, my mom is such a bitch cause she made me pay for half of my $22,000 motorcycle" Just pisses me off. Thinking about all the money I've pissed away, thinking of all the times I've bitched over something I couldn't have... These people make three dollars a day picking up trash from the compound. That is considered a good wage for this area. I make 1,400 a month before taxes, and I blow it on stupid shit.
All in all, I feel as though I am actually doing something in the world now. I feel like I have a purpose, and I am doing my part to make not only the U.S safer, but make these people safer. I am reminded of what was said to me by a commanding officer when I got here. He said " We are here to kill these asshole al queda bastards, that want to kill me, that want to kill my wife, your wife, my family and your family!. We are here to do that, and to help rebuild this nation, and keep these people safe, and help them survive." Before today I knew what I was here for, but didn't really get that feeling. Now, I have that feeling, and I know what I am doing. My views have changed over the last day. I went from an apathetic, money spending, carefree American who disagreed with bush. To a more educated, more enlightened, still disagreeing with bush, but not on everything American! If there is anything that you can get out of this I hope its to support the soldiers. We are not here just to kill and blow shit up, We are here to safe guard You, whether you are an American, a Canadian, a brit, an ausi. It doesn't matter. I am out here with brit's, korean's, germans, ausi's. You name it and we have coalition forces out here. We are here to make the world safer for all to enjoy!
1- Me handing out candy to the children in the village.
2- Bullet impact, this is common around all of the country.
3- ME right before the brief, getting ready to "saddle up, lock and load!"
4- This is the first child I came in contact with in the village, He was happy we were there, and very eager to share with us the very little he had!
5- This picture was caught while on the move! It's a typical hut made of clay, mud, and straw.
6- For nearly a decade the Russians ran chaotically throughout Afghanistan, raping and pillaging, village to village. Today, you can find many items left over from the Russians to include tanks, mig's, rockets, and other weapons caches.
7- The elders of the village round up the children and place them in one spot prior to The Soldiers passing out candy.
8- This falls back to number 6, but instead of a tank it's a mig that was once operational but was shot down by coalition forces shortly after those FUCKING TERRORIST BASTARDS hit our towers...
9- This is another nice item the Russians left behind. The area I am currently in is scattered with over 90 million land mines. The particular part of the country I am in, is known to be the most mined section of the entire country. Each day children, and adults are injured or even killed by these land mines that were planted, and dumped by the Russians.
10- This picture was right before we got into the village, this taken from the vehicle you can see the majority of the villages exterior wall. This is a typical village in Afghanistan
User Reviews
Submitted by MickGinny (user info) at 2003-09-19 16:10:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"shortly after those FUCKING TERRORIST BASTARDS hit our towers... "
I am glad you mentioned those FUCKING TERRORIST BASTARDS who hit our towers.
Alot of people bitching about why America is fighting battles on foreign land, Are the same people that would have pushed the nuke button on the day those FUCKING TERRORIST BASTARDS hit our towers!
good read, jarhead.
Submitted by MickGinny (user info) at 2003-09-19 15:55:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"Before you go straight to the rate this item and give me a -2 or any other review, read the post... This actually touched me personally. I really would not appreciate it if you just run and rate without reading.. Thank you for taking the time to read.. "
just to be a prick, i stopped reading right there to give you -2.
ill go read it now.
Submitted by PizzaEagle (user info) at 2003-09-19 15:49:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I think it's great that you're doing this kind of thing. I've been to third world countries and seen the conditions that some people have to live in. That said, I still don't agree with the military operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. Did the war hurt them or help them overall? They have a new government, but hundreds of them are still dead from the war, and their economy is almost nonexistent. And I hate how some people use this reason to justify the wars. I mean, if the Iraq war was about helping out the people and removing an evil dictator, then why aren't we doing the same thing in other places which have evil dictators? (like a lot of countries in Africa)
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-09-19 11:21:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2003-08-26 08:50:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I thought you were in Iraq. I can't keep up, nevermind what I said about being against the war. I was in favor of that one, which does not change the fact that you should duck and run if any shooting starts.
Great now I can stop stressing out when I hear of some crazy shit in Iraq and start freaking out when I hear of some crazy shit in Afghanistan.
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2003-08-22 19:28:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
stay safe man.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2003-08-22 18:44:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Eric you know my opinion on this whole war, but I was never about not supporting the troops. I'm glad you got to see the human side of things over there and are getting to do some good for those people. They have been through hell and I'm glad they got to see a different side of the US.
Please please come home in one piece.
Submitted by hiddenagenda (user info) at 2003-08-14 13:01:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow, that was fantastic. It made me want to join the military.
Submitted by April at 2003-08-12 12:18:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Sorry - didn't rate you.
Submitted by April at 2003-08-12 12:17:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I hope you get home safe. I'm praying for you.
Submitted by Anjie (user info) at 2003-08-12 11:55:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thanks!! All of us here at home can give money and clothes and baby wipes, but we need people like you to do the hard stuff. Seeing it all and living it. Watch out for youself and the people around you. You never know when you may need a friend.
Keep up the great work, God Bless!
Submitted by cret001 <cret1.at.hotmail.com> at 2003-08-12 11:39:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Well Mr. EH, you never cease to amaze me. I am so proud of the man you are becoming. You rock baby!! Life is not just the hand you are delt, it is what you do with the cards once you've got them.
Submitted by Nikita at 2003-08-12 00:37:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2003-08-12 00:21:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thanks.
Submitted by EH (user info) at 2003-08-11 10:05:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
well tiff actually does love you, her and I have been in a relationship for a while now... It's getting kinda serious and all! I love her sooooooo much. I WILL come home to her!
Submitted by Bellebrown (user info) at 2003-08-11 09:15:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Im with Tiff.
You're a top bloke... and your post actually brought a lump to my throat.
Look after yourself!
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2003-08-11 09:15:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by tuesdaydelay (user info) at 2003-08-10 16:31:57 (#)
Ranking: -2
Running and rating. The way to go.
*************************************************
I don't like you, tuesdaydelay.
Submitted by Not_Unless_Its_Shaven (user info) at 2003-08-11 09:07:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
5- This picture was caught while on the move! It's a typical hut made of clay, mud, and straw.
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Hey! thats my house!
On a serious note this post touched me, and made me wish i was there.
Submitted by EspoDmouth (user info) at 2003-08-11 03:57:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
God Bless you and the rest of our troops.
peace
espo
Submitted by Tifferistic (user info) at 2003-08-11 01:17:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I love you!!! Just come back safe...MUAH
*<Tiff>*
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2003-08-10 23:44:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i'll miss you, Tim.
Submitted by drink_DDT (user info) at 2003-08-10 23:40:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This post is just great.
I'm inspired now. I'm going to North Korea tonight to try to hand out candy.
Submitted by MOssiah (user info) at 2003-08-10 23:21:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Make a difference.
Submitted by Titinita (user info) at 2003-08-10 19:18:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
My family is lousy with military folk. I acknowledge and appreciate all the sacrifices you make to keep people safe.
I love you. :)
Submitted by drink_DDT (user info) at 2003-08-10 19:06:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hooah.
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2003-08-10 17:14:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was a really good post EH thank you so much for the insight and the photos. I'd rather read your experiences than something from a news reporter. What you say is 'straight from the horses mouth' - I believe what you say in your first hand account and I am grateful there is such a place as Ubersite to read it on.
The only comment I have to make is that I disagree the latter part of your sentiment here:
"Tonight I am going to bed with a warm yet empty feeling inside. Warm because I know I helped those kids, Empty because I can't do anything more."
You could do more if you wanted. There are so many humanitarian agencies and charities that work in Afghanistan who perform similar tasks that you carried out today. The International Red Cross, The United Nations etc that you could join if/when you leave the army. Even while you are enlisted you can always donate to charities out of your wages.
EH I'm not saying to you that I think you should do more. You are doing more than I am or most of the people on Ubersite. I'm just saying you shouldn't feel empty because there are plenty more ways you can help...if you want to.
Good luck to you while you are out there. Keep safe.
PAS
Submitted by Acarnis (user info) at 2003-08-10 16:56:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by tuesdaydelay (user info) at 2003-08-10 16:31:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Running and rating. The way to go.
Submitted by antluvdog (user info) at 2003-08-10 15:57:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good luck out there EH.
Submitted by jimbobjoe (user info) at 2003-08-10 15:22:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't agree with a lot of things going on in our gov't but my heart goes out to you guys.
I've seen conditions similar to those in Egypt. I let some kid take me around one of their
markets and he was the hardest working kid I've ever had the pleasure to meet. The conditions
in some countries are appaling to us Americans, but that's just how it is to them.
Thanks for showing us something of a positive outlook on what is happening in Afghanistan.
Hidden>> I really doubt anyone truly believes American troops are in Iraq looking for oil. I personally think that W. went there for resons alterior to those he has expressed to the American
public, but that doesn't mean I don't support each and everyone of the troops in Iraq. They're
doing their job and following orders. I'm glad they are and I will always feel very strongly
about them in a positive light.
Submitted by Nicole3 (user info) at 2003-08-10 14:09:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wonderful
Submitted by jake_plummer (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:40:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by YellowDragon (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:38:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Submitted by Nator (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:38:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by Thanatos (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:13:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Thanatos (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:13:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Thanatos (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:13:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Great post
Submitted by phucket (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:04:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
nice post
Submitted by bart (user info) at 2003-08-10 13:00:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2003-08-10 12:24:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
there's alot of stuff going on in Iraq and Afghanistan that civilians don't get to see. they don't know what we're really doing out there. some people even think the troops are in Iraq, looking for oil. it makes me so angry when skeptic civilians... nevermind. i'm just going to waste my breath. there's no reasoning with some people. yes, the war is about "wasting taxpayers' money to find some oil." (ps- that was sarcasm for you dullards that didn't pick that up.)
Eric- this was awesome. just awesome...
Submitted by El_Guapo (user info) at 2003-08-10 12:11:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
awesome pictures man. thanks for the insight!
Submitted by catscradle (user info) at 2003-08-10 12:08:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2003-08-10 11:58:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
My rating does not necessarily reflect my opinion on these conflicts both in Iraq and Afghanistan, but only on this post.
Interesting stuff.
Submitted by EH (user info) at 2003-08-10 11:29:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
One thing I left out.. This experience, this mission.. It made me damn proud to be an american!