To those who served in Afghanistan

[2000cs]

THANK YOU to all who served in Afghanistan, from America and her allies, and especially to the friends and families of those who were lost.

And, although I had no part in the decision-making, I also feel compelled to say, I’m Sorry.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

THANK YOU to all who served in Afghanistan, from America and her allies, and especially to the friends and families of those who were lost.

And, although I had no part in the decision-making, I also feel compelled to say, I’m Sorry.

As someone who left pieces of myself on the ground in that part of the world - I have mixed emotions on what is currently going on.

I will leave it at that due to the non-political nature of the forums these days.

I hope that the 90% of Afghani's who want nothing more than to just go about their lives and raise their families, fair as best as able in these tumultuous times.

[dscabra]

As someone who served when it was "easy", I also wish to express my sincere gratitude for those that have endured countless deployments to parts of the world that most of us will never see or understand what is really happening on the ground. I too have mixed emotions about current events as I feel that after spending twenty years supporting a nation that certainly needed it, it's time to go. I'm just disappointed that the investment we made there seems to have been abandoned so quickly. Freedom isn't free!

[Murf993]

Two of my children serve in the Canadian Forces and although neither was deployed I am proud of their service. I have had close involvement with our military through my career and have complete respect for all those who serve. I am saddened to see how badly devolved the situation has become and I know why the US has decided to leave as it is a no win situation over there. I am a bit disappointed in the remarks made yesterday that the sole mission was that of protecting the US against future attacks, I suspect the US's allies may have viewed the mission differently. Anyway, thank you for your service. Peace.

[MsGoGoMoto]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

As someone who left pieces of myself on the ground in that part of the world - I have mixed emotions on what is currently going on.

I will leave it at that due to the non-political nature of the forums these days.

I hope that the 90% of Afghani's who want nothing more than to just go about their lives and raise their families, fair as best as able in these tumultuous times.

Nods and agrees.
Sometimes I think we have it bad here in the US.
Remember looking through thermals seeing bedowins stealing our truck batteries, and actually sprinting away with them full speed over rocks and sand…

I reset my thinking to…….We don't have it so bad.

[Littlebear]

Last week had two "Duh!" stories:

1) Cuomo quits. I mean, he had no supporters....
2) Afghanistan falls just like Viet Nam. So sad, but by now, so predictable.

No matter how pissed I get, I never forget how lucky I am to be an American.

[nicked8]

May all who served over there find peace that their sacrifice provided some good, even if it was more temporary than we would have hoped.

Prayers to the many Afghani's who must now face a new chapter in their country's history...

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Littlebear

Last week had two "Duh!" stories:

1) Cuomo quits. I mean, he had no supporters....
2) Afghanistan falls just like Viet Nam. So sad, but by now, so predictable.

No matter how pissed I get, I never forget how lucky I am to be an American.

I served 12 months with the 25th Infantry Division Artillery in Vietnam. I well recall the flood of feelings I experienced after we withdrew 3 years later. It was really a WTF moment; as if all of our efforts, bleeding and enormous co$ts were for nothing.

But then, the South Vietnamese government was corrupt and the ARVN not highly motivated to defend their own country, not to mention that their troops stole us blind.

[RelaxIN2]

To All..!! Thank you..!!

[Littlebear]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

I served 12 months with the 25th Infantry Division Artillery in Vietnam....

Do you carry your draft card in your wallet?

[BMW F22]

Great thread! Thank you to our soldiers!

[rwheels]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

I served 12 months with the 25th Infantry Division Artillery in Vietnam. I well recall the flood of feelings I experienced after we withdrew 3 years later. It was really a WTF moment; as if all of our efforts, bleeding and enormous co$ts were for nothing.

But then, the South Vietnamese government was corrupt and the ARVN not highly motivated to defend their own country, not to mention that their troops stole us blind.

A cousin once mentioned what you have confirmed, and it seems these people are the very first leaving the country. I'm certain that our troops did what they could, but eventually the responsibility falls on those whose country they belong to. Big letdown for their all their efforts.

[Lady Jane]

Attachment 2674482


For those who gave it all for the undeservings who want it all.



Attachment 2674483

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by Littlebear

Do you carry your draft card in your wallet?

Nope. I have it stashed away in a small box of memorabilia. It is stamped 4A.

Maybe I should dig it out and add it to my shadow box that is hanging on my office wall.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by rwheels

A cousin once mentioned what you have confirmed, and it seems these people are the very first leaving the country. I'm certain that our troops did what they could, but eventually the responsibility falls on those whose country they belong to. Big letdown for their all their efforts.

And I didn’t bother to mention that many of the ARVN cadre brazenly sold brand new US military supplies on the black market.

As with Vietnam, I don’t believe the deeply ingrained culture of Afghanistan can be changed much. How long have they been this way? 1000 years? 2000 years?

[ggunn9]

Thank you for the kind message.

I served in Kabul, Afghanistan in the spring, summer and fall of 2013. I drove the roads of that city everyday. I still remember it like the back of my hand. My base was connected to the U.S. Embassy. That embassy was a taste of home for me.

Hq ISAF/LEGAD--my unit in Kabul

[Fritzer]

Very complicated topic. While I would have liked to see it gone about differently, I think it's time that no more young American men and women have to put their lives at risk in Afghanistan.

We probably could have left a bit more infrastructure and support apparatuses to help the Northern Alliance and ANA. After all we have near 100,000 active duty servicemembers in Japan and Korea still.... However, after 20 some odd years of help and support, I think it's up to the Afghanis to steer the future of their country. America simply can't be the world's police/occupier in times of distress, not only is it not worth the money, but not worth the American lives.

How are you supposed to sell that you're protecting American freedom and interests when you are occupying and policing some mountainous farmland with dirt huts where some rich saudi supposedly planned a complicated and vast terrorist network from 20 years ago? How are you supposed to morally tell an eighteen year old infantryman that him and his comrades are fighting for American freedom while fighting mujahedeen who just want their country back? Meanwhile having to work with the morally decrepit and absolutely corrupt leadership of the ANA.

[frchdragon]

We just hired an officer who did several tours in Afghanistan, best hire we ever made, a true born leader and earned the respect from people he managed very quickly.

I brought the subject once... he talked about the friends he lost over there and back home because of PTSD. Very humbling, and I can't relate at all.

There is nothing in my life that compares to what our troops are going through.

[RMachuca3d]

It had to be done, someone had to rip that bandaid at one point.

As you all say, mixed emotions, but artificially supporting a whole damn country can only be done for so long. My cousin spent two years there not long ago in a diplomatic role, and is a mess right now as most of the people she met that where locals she cannot reach, but also she knew the time was coming, and it was going to be a shakeup regardless of how it ends.

[streetpro]

Looking at the latest development there we should have had build amusement parks instead ... I feel very sad for all those that have given their lives/time/effort/families etc for this...
However, no matter what, all soldiers can be proud for what they have done...

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by ggunn9

Thank you for the kind message.

I served in Kabul, Afghanistan in the spring, summer and fall of 2013. I drove the roads of that city everyday. I still remember it like the back of my hand. My base was connected to the U.S. Embassy. That embassy was a taste of home for me.

Hq ISAF/LEGAD--my unit in Kabul

I worked for an OGA over there for a while, but not during the same time period as you.

One of these fellas you, mate?

[ggunn9]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

I worked for an OGA over there for a while, but not during the same time period as you.

One of these fellas you, mate?

Nope not me.