My man in Afghanistan

[montmil]

My youngest son (34) is a USArmy Sergeant First Class presently deployed in Afghanistan. A career Soldier since age nineteen, Zach is a Squad Leader of two teams involved in Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition. This nomenclature is the USArmy's current politically correct description for their sniper teams.

We expect him back in CONUS early May for R&R. This is his fourth deployment to the nastiest parts of the world.

Zach and his team members wear beards as a sign of respect for the Afghanis they work with. Occasionally, their missions require that they wear native garb. I think he looks like a left behind renegade Russian.

The photo is approx a week old.

Monte Miller

[nhmaf]

I am very grateful to Zach and for your family's service to our country and for helping to improve the global situation.  You raised a great young man, Monte - you and the missus must surely have done some things right !
 

[not-so-fast-ed]

My 1st Lt Godson, Ben, got back from Iraq two weeks ago.  He was a Platoon leader of a Sapper unit, finding & blowing up IEDs.  We're very happy to see him back in one piece.

On a side note, a week ago I finally got to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington.  They're still adding names........

 

[montmil]

My 1st Lt Godson, Ben, got back from Iraq two weeks ago.  He was a Platoon leader of a Sapper unit, finding & blowing up IEDs.  We're very happy to see him back in one piece...

Ed, I'm glad your El Tee is back safe. God bless him.

During Zach's first Iraq deployment, he was taking a break from the ring-mounted Ma Deuce so another Soldier was up top the truck. As they rolled through a narrow street in Sadr City, they passed a dead donkey. The carcass was rigged and exploded as they were beside the IED-Burro.

The exposed gunner fell through the hatch covered in blood and guts. After a quick check, all three 1st Cav Troopers enjoyed a black humor laugh as the gunner was hit with only pieces parts and guts of the donkey. Not a scratch on him.

Side bar note: No Soldier refers to the HMMWV as a Hummer. Not only is that a civilian-coined name but a reference to an oral act. Troops call the vehicle by it's common name... Truck.

Huah!  Monte

  

[Danie]

As a parent , I can just imagine your feelings while your sons are doing their service.

God bless.

Danie

[Lucky_Lou]

God bless all who serve bet Zach looks good on a r65 hope you let him have a ride
Lou

[trolle]

My eldest daughter spent two years in Afghanistan as a help worker with an organisation called IOM. The first year they were able to travel almost freely, the last year they were escorted by armed personnel to and from work and were not allowed to move around by them selves.

After she returned home, she told us that she always carried a "survival bag" as she called it, as the risc of being kidnapped was very great.

Luckily she returned safe and sound three years ago, but just two months ago one of her colleges in Kabul was kidnapped and executed by terrorists.

My 29 year old son spent six month as a signals officer (captain) with an American unit in Kabul and came home also safe and sound two years ago but decided after this to break off his career as a professionel soldier and started studying as a construction engineer.

We are proud that they have done this but we also are very glad that they are home now.

greetings from a sunny north