Faces & Voices Afghanistan by Jim Spiri

“The Last Journey” #15 Face & Voices Afghanistan

10 August 2010
Forward Operating Base Boris, Afghanistan

Faces and Voices

It only rained once today, but it was a bit of a downpour. I’ve been on the FOB the whole time I’ve been here. No one has gone out. I don’t have a much more time scheduled here but we’ll see what the days ahead bring.

This morning I decided to work out in the weight room and hit the treadmill. Generally, I walk at a brisk pace 8-miles a day, I may be an old man but I better stay in shape. An hour into my workout the speakers began blaring, “OUTGOING…OUTGOING”. I knew that meant the big guns would be firing. I stopped, grabbed my camera, the results are posted here.

OUTGOING!! OUTGOING!!

A few shots of the big guns in action were too good to pass up. I watched as projectiles launched and then impacted several miles away on the hills to the northeast. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end. Watching the artillery guys looks like an orchestra in action, a great symphony.

I Wouldn't Want To Be On The Receiving End

The Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Harman, 187th Infantry took some time to chat with me, listen to the AUDIO HERE:LTCHarman

By mid afternoon, I made it a point to spend time with the Pashtun cultural advisors. They reminded me of my friend Sword at Camp Salerno. The best place to talk is over chai and that’s what we did.

A Time for Chai

I firmly believe that every American should be informed as to what is going on here in Afghanistan. I’m frustrated when I think of the many trivialities we occupy ourselves with back in the states while our brave Americans spill their blood on this foreign soil. I hope these interviews shed some light on my deep seeded feelings and impact you like they do me. AUDIO HERE: CulturalAdvisors

I spend a lot of time these days looking toward the mountains to the East.

In the late afternoon, four Humvees rolled up and battle parked right in across from where I am staying. Serious looking dudes were unloading and they caught my curiosity. I had a momentary flashback to my time in war torn El Salvador with the Army of the Republic. I was only in my twenties but still older than most of the soldiers I was with. But here in Afghanistan these men were the roughest and most hardened looking foreign soldiers I’ve ever come across.

I’ve learned over the years to be low key and to speak from the heart. It is the only way I know how to be. It makes my life simple.

Afghan Special Forces

Turns out these soldiers, all Afghan Special Forces, were the security for the well known and battle hardened General Aziz. The General was a sharp, well built, and disciplined looking individual. His trimmed haircut stood him apart from the rest of his men. While his men unpacked he approached me. I not sure why it amused me that he was eating a crisp, red apple maybe it was the contrast in the hand of a hardened combat veteran.

Providing Security

I immediately noticed under the Afghanistan flag patch on his sleeve he bore another that in English read, “IN MEMORY OF SHAHEED SARDAR KIA 26 NOV 2006 ORGUNE SUICIDE BOMBER”. He didn’t need to explain any more.

General Aziz

Reporting,
Jim Spiri In The Stan

Candi, I love you and soon I’ll be home.

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