This Joy’s Life

These are children in Afghanistan who are given clothing and toys by U.S. soldiers stationed there and running medical camps to provide supplies for the local communities. (CPT Sean is the soldier pictured.) The specific toys and clothing on the children in this picture were donated by my cousins Sid and Heidi. They were so excited to see the children wearing and playing with the items they picked out that they shared the story with me.

I was hooked after that, so Sid got me a contact over there, a First Lieutenant named Chris. He has been very patient with all my questions about the process and very thankful for our willingness to donate. In his first email to me he made that clear: Thank you so much for your interest in what we’re doing over here. With all the media focus on Iraq, we sometimes think people lose sight of what’s going on in Afghanistan. I’m glad that’s not the case!

So, myself and a number of other moms you see frequently on this blog, collected some clothing and toys, got together for a playdate to gather it all together and shipped it right off!

The boxes arrived yesterday and I begged 1Lt. Chris for a picture of his platoon. He was kind enough to oblige. **In the interest of safety to our soldiers, I’m only going to provide you with rank (because they’ve worked hard to acheive it) and first or last names, but not both. Chris assured me that the info he emails to me could not put them in harms way if used on my blog, but just to be sure I’d rather not provide full names.

(Left to right) Back Row: CPT Harrington (our doctor), SGT Garrison, SPC Scott, SSG Forsythe, SGT Santamaria (a CPL in the picture…he’s since been promoted), and 1LT Chris.Middle Row: SGT Buxton and SSG Rodriguez (the Soldier whose promotion is being celebrated in the picture). Front and center: SSG Colon (Platoon Sergeant).

Chris and his Platoon Sergeant are wearing Stetsons because it is tradition to do so at promotions, awards ceremonies, and formal events in Cavalry units, especially for leaders. “Back in garrison, we wear Stetsons and Spurs every Thursday as a little comraderie/morale booster,” he says.

Last week, I received an email from Chris with exciting news: “[We are] preparing to GO HOME!” Captian Sean is already back home and I’m happy that Lt. Chris is able to follow.

CONGRATULATIONS, CHRIS, TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE PLATOON. THANKS FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF THE GOOD WORKS YOU ARE DOING FOR THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN! YOU ALL MAKE US VERY PROUD.