Hope We Can Gain More Public Support

Greetings.

President Obama made a surprise visit to Kabul today to make sure the Afghani government keeps their end of the bargain. I’m glad to see the war in Afghanistan remains on the radar. I was at least encouraged to hear of the bipartisan support that exists for our troops from those in Washington. But, with what we just witnessed from our Congress last week on health care- I wonder what the definition of “bipartisan” really is any more. We’ll really know how much bipartisanship exists when debate on the defense budget begins in the next few weeks.

The public support for the Afghanistan effort improved a little as well. Our country remains pretty-well divided with 49% opposing the war and 48% supporting it. The support has grown quite a bit since the Marjah offensive (Operation Moshtarek) was launched. I’m disappointed with the overall level of public support today but the trends are heading in the right direction.

We talked to Brian today and he sounds like he’s doing well. The situation over there is challenging to say the least. Brian has already had his share of challenges to deal with and we are so proud of how he has handled them. The Afghani soldiers cooked another chicken for them today so they had a hot meal and were ready to turn in for the night.

It’s going to start getting hot over there. One of Brian’s commanders told him that if anyone asks how hot it really gets just tell them:

1. Turn your oven up to 130 degrees
2. Stick your head in the oven
3. Stay there all day

That’s what it is going to be like. They’ll be drinking a lot of water.

I’m including some photos I found to provide a perspective of what it’s like over there:

This is an eerie photo of the “business district” in Kabul. The destruction is a result of the Soviet occupation and has never been rebuilt.

This is a photo from the British News Service of the beginning of Operation Moshtarek in Marjah. Note the streamers. Quite unreal.

Ethan Update

Lindsey, Jason, and Ethan are doing well. If all goes to plan, Laura and I hope to babysit an evening this week so we can continue the spoiling process. I had to include this photo.

Thanks again for your support and prayers. Brian told us they spent an afternoon last week responding to letters they had received from various support organizations. These letters and packages mean a lot to these men and women as it is not easy to stay “up” when living in the environment they are in.

Semper Fi

The Longest War

This month, the Afghanistan war has the distinction of becoming the longest military conflict in U.S. history. I guess it's no wonder we're all getting a little weary.

Once again, thank God for the sat phone. Brian connected with several people this week in addition to talking to us. It is still amazing to think that he's talking to us from in the middle of nowhere half-a-world away. He has, once again, done an amazing job of staying in touch when he can. Laura and I are very thankful each time we talk to him and thankful when we hear he has talked to others.

He received our package. I sent it on March 4 and he received it on March 20 so delivery was quicker than I thought it would be. We included some pictures of Ethan in the box so he can have some to carry with him over there. We're getting another package ready to go this week.

The temperatures are warming-up (mid-40s in the evening and low-70s during the day) and its going to start to get hot. The summer months over there are brutal.

They befriended some Afghan soldiers. The soldiers don't speak any English (so I have no idea how they communicate) but already cooked meals of goat and chicken for the guys. Brian told me the Afghanis are trying to teach the Americans some basic Pushtun and the Marines are trying to teach the Afghanis some basic English. I'd love to be a fly on the wall listening to it.

I'm including a link CLICK HERE of a class of third-graders singing a tribute to the troops. Thank-you Teresa for sending it to me. Take a minute and listen if you get a chance. It is a beautiful tribute from the people who really matter- our children.

This month we also mark the 7-year anniversary of the Iraq war. It is hard to believe that on the anniversary last year, Brian was there. At a cost of over $700 billion and 4386 American lives the Iraqi's are now in a position to control their own destiny. It has taken a long time and I just hope the price we have paid was worth it.

Semper Fi

Technology is a Blessing Sometimes

Greetings

I’m starting off with a couple of pictures of Payton (Roy and Andrea’s little lady) in her “Got Freedom” t-shirt. (It says “Compliments of the United States Marine Corp” on the back). We’ve been feeling a lot of that this week.

We’ve been really blessed to be able to talk to Brian this week. He was also able to connect with Lindsey and he heard Ethan for the first time. He’s a very proud uncle/godfather.

He was trying to help one of his British buddies call home so needed some help with finding satellite codes- a pretty tough assignment when you are in the middle of nowhere. He called me separately a couple of times while I searched the internet and he took notes on how to get his buddy connected- from 7000 miles away. Our technology is great- but it is also a little frightening.

He’s been “busy.” And, sounded good. He’s befriended some British buddies and they have found making their cigarettes lasts longer than the manufactured kind. So- cigarette tobacco and cigarette paper has been added to the list of things they need. He and his platoon seem to be doing as well as can be expected and it’s always good just to hear his voice.

I’m attaching a link that is really good. This is the Commandant of the Marine Corp talking to the troops in Marjah. This will give you a little idea of the atmosphere in that offensive.

I’m also including a photo of the Marjah offensive to provide a perspective of what the guys in Marjah are facing. This was taken from a Medivac helicopter while the offensive was getting underway. I thought it was pretty cool.

The sun is finally shining in Minnesota. The snow is melting and spring is around the corner. Like everyone, we’re ready. Laura and I want to thank everyone again for your packages, prayers, projects, and support. They mean a lot to the guys over there.

Semper Fi

Adjusting to Deployment Mode

Greetings to all

Laura and I are adjusting to "deployment mode". Sometimes it just takes awhile to remember you can't just pick up the phone and call any more. We sent off a package last week that included many of the basics the guys requested. We're going to keep shipping them- we just don't know when they will actually get them. The picture at the right gives you an idea of the conditions some are dealing with over there.

Several received a phone call from Afghanistan last week. Even though he can't tell us much, it's always great to hear his voice on the other end. We didn't expect to hear from him for quite awhile so this was a real blessing. We don't know how frequently we'll hear from him going forward but it was great to talk to him last week. He told us he let a marine who had not been able to call home for nearly two months call his wife only to find out they were expecting a baby. We'll appreciate each call as we get them.

Ethan Update

Lindsey, Jason, and Ethan (and the dogs, and the cat) are all doing wonderful. Ethan continues to grow and is just a beautiful little boy. Brian did call Lindsey last week so they were able to connect for a little while. It meant a lot to both of them.

The news from Afghanistan continues to be centered on Marjah and a focus on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. Marjah continues to be challenging even though the Marines have now moved from a "clear" to "hold" strategy. But, the number of IEDs planted throughout the city is unbelievable. That's where the real danger is. In the east, the Pakistani government has finally started to take some action against the Taliban hiding in their mountains. I hope it continues. The Marines have made some dramatic progress over the past months and are doing more than their share in both of these areas - it's now time for the Afghanistan government and others to step-up and do what they are supposed to do to finish the job.

Semper Fi