"US troops in Afghanistan celebrate Thanksgiving" by DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press /
November 22, 2012
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) —There was roast turkey, sliced turkey, ham and rib-eye steaks. The
troops were served steaming side dishes of dressing, corn, collard
greens, yams and mashed potatoes and gravy that some lapped up with
spoons. For dessert, there was a massive cake with a turkey etched in
icing, pumpkin spice cookies and scores of pies.
A short walk from the dining hall, service members were playing a modified version of American football. Parts of the scene could have come from a snapshot of any U.S. city:
American guys in sweats tossing the pigskin, a scoreboard, a coin toss
to start the game.
But on this military base, concrete barriers surrounded the field.
The referees wore camouflaged shirts and the spectators carried rifles.
The artificial turf was frayed and so dusty that when one player spiked
the football, a puff of dirt rose from the field. The players used a regulation football, but the game was a mix of football, soccer and rugby to fit the short field.
Some soldiers commented about the 11-year-old war that has claimed the lives of 2,029 American service members.
Were the lies worth it?
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chuck Minton of Monroe, Ga., who has
traveled extensively across Afghanistan, was optimistic. ‘‘It’s been
progressing here, getting better. The Afghans have taken over more
missions,’’ Minton said.
President Barack Obama pulled 10,000 troops out of Afghanistan in
2011 and 23,000 more this year, leaving about 66,000 American service
members still deployed in the country. Nearly all international combat
troops are to withdraw by the end of 2014 when Afghan forces will be
fully in charge of securing the nation.
Army Maj. Rodney Gehrett of Colorado Springs, Colo., said he was
surprised that the war was barely mentioned during the last U.S.
presidential election — evidence that some Americans had tuned out the
news from the front line a half a world away.
I haven't tuned it out. I've only fallen behind in my hollering for it to end after more than six years here.
Related: "The relative silence on the campaign trail is also due, in part, to the only minimal differences in the presidential candidates’ positions."
Could be another reason it is not mentioned, 'eh?
‘‘The war in Afghanistan wasn’t even brought up as a topic of
conversation’’ during the election, Gehrett said. ‘‘It was a little
surprising to me. Hopefully, that will change and people will realize
that we still have troops here and they are fighting every day.’’
Army Sgt. Adam Draughn of Denver, Colo., said some people back home
have the impression that the Afghan people don’t want American troops in
their country.
‘‘Honestly, I think the biggest misconception in my opinion is that,
you know, we actually are loved here,’’ Draughn said. ‘‘The nationals do
care about us. They do want us here to help them. We’re not here
uninvited.’’
Right. That's why the guys we are training -- you know, our friends -- are turning thier guns on us.
--more--"
I'm no longer thankful for war propaganda, folks.
