Outskirts of Town

I just realized I had not posted anything for the last 3 weeks....

So to catch everyone up, I have been sequestered in a room with 20 other officers from various nations, services and specialities with orders to prepare a product for our Commanding General. In other words, no pictures and nothing I can report on in this blog...not very exciting I know, sorry.

However, Today I made it outside the wire and visited a make-shift displaced persons (aka refugee) camp on the outskirts of Kabul. This camp was the worst I have seen. We distributed items that you provided/donated to our VHS mission.
Please keep sending your donations and thanks for your support.


All kids want their picture taken.



Women hiding from us.



Too cold too bathe.



Remember to send your donations to:

Chaplain's Office
VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!

Busy

I apologize for not sending out an update for a few weeks. I've been very busy working on some stuff in which I can't divulge in this forum...since I don't/can't have photos from my recent events, I have substituted a photo taken a couple of weeks ago.



Enjoying a Cuban with my Aussie and Turk friends.


Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!

Three Cups of Tea

If you haven't read "Three Cups of Tea", I strongly recommend that you do so at once. It's required reading for all officers in USFOR-A. It offers a wonderful insight to the Pashto People. Available at your local bookstore or library.




I love the giggler on the end.




Not in keeping with the 3 cups theme, but a great photo nonetheless.


Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!

Humbled

Today was the most rewarding day that I can remember.

I had the opportunity to visit a school for the deaf and those with special needs. Words cannot describe the excitement that those children displayed as our group of US and NATO servicemen and women distributed school backpacks containing pens, pencils, paper, and other miscellaneous school supplies. We also distributed blankets, coats, shoes, etc., which were to be distributed later by the teachers based on need. The best part is we also passed out 20 foot balls (soccer balls). I spent over an hour playing footie (soccer) with the boys and girls.



We couldn't have made this trip without the donations from people like you.

Please mail your donation to:
VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

This is how we win wars.




We won't win this war with our tactics or weapon systems. To win this war, we need to put our our soft covers, and meet with the people.

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!

Mountain Views

Recently, most of the photos I have taken I am not able to publish due OPSEC...so I am left with mountain views from my hooch. It really does look a lot like Pocatello, Idaho.



This evening a few folks in my shop had dinner together to celebrate the promotion of our Albanian friend. Congrats to our new Lt Col.

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah

Camp Eggers Volunteer Community Relations

The Camp Eggers Volunteer Community Relations (VCR) program enhances the partnership with the people of Afghanistan while providing a venue for US and Coalition troops to assist others. Through this program, Camp Eggers VCR volunteers interact with local nationals at various locations in the Kabul area, including schools, orphanages, medical centers and Internally Displaced Persons camps. The Afghan people in these locations are not as fortunate as we are and could greatly benefit from your support to improve their quality of life. With winter coming, items like gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, coats, and blankets are critical. Conservative clothing for men, women, and children are also needed. Shoes, non-electronic toys, school supplies, and hygiene items are of great assistance too.

The VCR program is also involved with forwarding items to US service members located at smaller forward operating bases (FOBs) and other locations that may not have the PX facilities that most of the larger camps have. Donations of personal hygiene items, CD or DVD tapes, magazines, and other items that service members would enjoy are welcome.

If you have any of the above mentioned items that are new or gently used and would like to donate them, please mail to:

VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

We can't give religious material to the Afghan people, so please refrain from including this in your donations.

Highland Sailor, Camp Eggers VCR and the people of Afghanistan thank you for your support.

Chief Petty Officers

Today, I had the privilege of attending this year's CPO pinning ceremony. I was honestly surprised by the excellent turnout. BZ to our new Chiefs. (DOD Photo)