Post by Richard on Dec 20, 2004 14:12:35 GMT -5
Holiday of Hope: U.S. Troops Reaching Out in Afghanistan
By Gary Lane
Chief International Correspondent
December 20, 2004
just click on the link
www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/041220a.asp CAMP KABUL, Afghanistan - From Germany to Iraq, Japan to South Korea, nearly 400,000 U.S. troops will be celebrating Christmas overseas this year. While media attention focuses on Iraq, in Afghanistan more than 13,000 American military personnel are still serving to strengthen democracy there.
CBN News met up with some of the troops in Kabul as they prepared for the holiday season far from family and friends.
What most television viewers see of Afghanistan are U.S. troops rooting out remnants of the deposed Taliban regime, and continuing their search for the elusive Osama bin Laden throughout the mountainous border region with Pakistan. But what you rarely see is how American troops are spending much of their free time reaching out to Afghans in Kabul.
Some U.S. Amy medics examine refugee children, suffering from common, easily treatable ailments like headaches, colds, worms and head lice. They also instructed some of the kids in the basic hygiene technique of hand washing.
Members of the Florida National Guard's 265th Air Defense Artillery Unit help build young Afghan minds in a program called Operation Schoolhouse. Friends and family members of U.S. troops provided young Afghans with much-needed school supplies -- pencils and notebook paper -- items easily obtained in the U.S., but often rare and unaffordable for many Afghans.
Some of these troops labor on their days off and late into the evening, preparing the supplies for distribution.
One of the military volunteers said, "We're not only providing much-needed school supplies for the children of Kabul, but we're also fostering good will and shaping the way the future leaders of Afghanistan will perceive the United States."
With Christmas fast approaching, U.S. troops are putting finishing touches to gifts and parcels, readying them for delivery to friends and loved ones half a world away.
Serviceman Spencer Neill from Kansas City, Kansas was asked if it was a little tough being away from home this time of year. He replied, “Yeah, it's a little tough, but I really think like we're doing a really great thing for the Afghani people here, and I really feel blessed to be a part of rebuilding this nation."
Missouri resident Jacob Wimmer said, "I think the folks back home just need to know that we're doing good things. It's going to be an uphill battle. If we want what we're doing here to matter, we're going to have to be here for a couple of years, at least. And it's hard to be away from family and friends this time of year. It's very hard. "
Far away from immediate family, these troops seek fellowship with their Christian family at a Sunday night contemporary worship service at Camp Kabul.
Chaplain Randy Cash challenged attendees to turn control of their lives over to God, who is with them in every circumstance.
Cash said, "I know God will not forsake me. God is with me, period. So, if I am in Afghanistan at Christmas, so be it. God be praised."
And some of these troops are trying to be used by God in ways other than soldiering. Some have created, and are actively involved in community outreach programs, like Operation Schoolhouse.
Others find comfort as members of the praise band.
Felicia Clay of Chicago, Illinois said, “With the chapel, with the band, we've all grown so much. It helps ease away like all the loneliness and depression that comes away, you know, from being away from family, because we all have this bond and everything."
Kansan Phil Witzke is praise band leader at Camp Kabul. He says he is blessed when he ministers to his fellow troops through music.
Witzke commented, "Leading a band, as a leader, oh man, there's no better blessing than to be able to lead people and to let them do what they do and see people come to Jesus Christ. There's not a better thing in the world."
While many of the Christian troops say they are being blessed in Afghanistan, some wanted to send blessings home to their families in the U.S.A.
Carlita Wheat of Oklahoma remarked, "This is the first Christmas that I've ever been away from my family. I want to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to my church family, and I want to say ‘I love you’ to my husband Ashley, and my two daughters, Kerry and Kelly. I love you."
And Floridian T. Morton said, "I'd just like to say hi to my Mom, my brother and sister in Atlanta. God bless."
We also shared a few lighter moments with the troops.
Tim Huggins from Arizona is a bit challenged by Afghanistan's harsh winter climate. He said, "It's a lot different. In fact, I've got my long johns on about everyday.”
We asked Huggins if he had ever worn long johns in Arizona. He replied, “No, maybe once or twice, that's about it. A hunting trip -- that's about all."
Tom Nieves of Melbourne, Florida said, "I play the bass in my church band back home, and my wife kind of got mad at me because I put my guitar down. Now I picked it back up. But you know, back home in the church, if you mess up on the guitar nothing happens, but you know here, I mean, these people have guns!" (laughter)
As the Americans are reaching out to help the Afghans rebuild their country, do not forget our service members and women here in Afghanistan. So, from some of the troops here at Camp Kabul, Afghanistan -- Merry Christmas!
By Gary Lane
Chief International Correspondent
December 20, 2004
just click on the link
www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/041220a.asp CAMP KABUL, Afghanistan - From Germany to Iraq, Japan to South Korea, nearly 400,000 U.S. troops will be celebrating Christmas overseas this year. While media attention focuses on Iraq, in Afghanistan more than 13,000 American military personnel are still serving to strengthen democracy there.
CBN News met up with some of the troops in Kabul as they prepared for the holiday season far from family and friends.
What most television viewers see of Afghanistan are U.S. troops rooting out remnants of the deposed Taliban regime, and continuing their search for the elusive Osama bin Laden throughout the mountainous border region with Pakistan. But what you rarely see is how American troops are spending much of their free time reaching out to Afghans in Kabul.
Some U.S. Amy medics examine refugee children, suffering from common, easily treatable ailments like headaches, colds, worms and head lice. They also instructed some of the kids in the basic hygiene technique of hand washing.
Members of the Florida National Guard's 265th Air Defense Artillery Unit help build young Afghan minds in a program called Operation Schoolhouse. Friends and family members of U.S. troops provided young Afghans with much-needed school supplies -- pencils and notebook paper -- items easily obtained in the U.S., but often rare and unaffordable for many Afghans.
Some of these troops labor on their days off and late into the evening, preparing the supplies for distribution.
One of the military volunteers said, "We're not only providing much-needed school supplies for the children of Kabul, but we're also fostering good will and shaping the way the future leaders of Afghanistan will perceive the United States."
With Christmas fast approaching, U.S. troops are putting finishing touches to gifts and parcels, readying them for delivery to friends and loved ones half a world away.
Serviceman Spencer Neill from Kansas City, Kansas was asked if it was a little tough being away from home this time of year. He replied, “Yeah, it's a little tough, but I really think like we're doing a really great thing for the Afghani people here, and I really feel blessed to be a part of rebuilding this nation."
Missouri resident Jacob Wimmer said, "I think the folks back home just need to know that we're doing good things. It's going to be an uphill battle. If we want what we're doing here to matter, we're going to have to be here for a couple of years, at least. And it's hard to be away from family and friends this time of year. It's very hard. "
Far away from immediate family, these troops seek fellowship with their Christian family at a Sunday night contemporary worship service at Camp Kabul.
Chaplain Randy Cash challenged attendees to turn control of their lives over to God, who is with them in every circumstance.
Cash said, "I know God will not forsake me. God is with me, period. So, if I am in Afghanistan at Christmas, so be it. God be praised."
And some of these troops are trying to be used by God in ways other than soldiering. Some have created, and are actively involved in community outreach programs, like Operation Schoolhouse.
Others find comfort as members of the praise band.
Felicia Clay of Chicago, Illinois said, “With the chapel, with the band, we've all grown so much. It helps ease away like all the loneliness and depression that comes away, you know, from being away from family, because we all have this bond and everything."
Kansan Phil Witzke is praise band leader at Camp Kabul. He says he is blessed when he ministers to his fellow troops through music.
Witzke commented, "Leading a band, as a leader, oh man, there's no better blessing than to be able to lead people and to let them do what they do and see people come to Jesus Christ. There's not a better thing in the world."
While many of the Christian troops say they are being blessed in Afghanistan, some wanted to send blessings home to their families in the U.S.A.
Carlita Wheat of Oklahoma remarked, "This is the first Christmas that I've ever been away from my family. I want to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to my church family, and I want to say ‘I love you’ to my husband Ashley, and my two daughters, Kerry and Kelly. I love you."
And Floridian T. Morton said, "I'd just like to say hi to my Mom, my brother and sister in Atlanta. God bless."
We also shared a few lighter moments with the troops.
Tim Huggins from Arizona is a bit challenged by Afghanistan's harsh winter climate. He said, "It's a lot different. In fact, I've got my long johns on about everyday.”
We asked Huggins if he had ever worn long johns in Arizona. He replied, “No, maybe once or twice, that's about it. A hunting trip -- that's about all."
Tom Nieves of Melbourne, Florida said, "I play the bass in my church band back home, and my wife kind of got mad at me because I put my guitar down. Now I picked it back up. But you know, back home in the church, if you mess up on the guitar nothing happens, but you know here, I mean, these people have guns!" (laughter)
As the Americans are reaching out to help the Afghans rebuild their country, do not forget our service members and women here in Afghanistan. So, from some of the troops here at Camp Kabul, Afghanistan -- Merry Christmas!
