Independence Day

Independence Day outside the formerly comfortable borders of the United States is really something else. Do you think Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Franklin could have ever imagined American’s celebrating their crowning achievement in a place like Afghanistan or Iraq? The idea of an offensive war on the other side of the globe is probably an idea they couldn’t fathom. At the time of the signing of the declaration, they were about to fight a war on their home soil, which at that time was British, and they couldn’t promise security to even their own families. Times have changed.
Like Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for the family, friends and blessings in our lives, the 4th of July should be celebrated as a day to be thankful for the work and sacrifices, past and present, of our fellow countrymen in creating the nation we celebrate today. It’s about more than barbeques and fireworks, it is about the most improbable event in world history. Because it’s hard to fully comprehend the difficulty of the tasks they faced, we should all take some time today to look back and reflect on the great things our nation has achieved. Take advantage of the opportunities afforded you by a prosperous, free society. Do those things that make each of you unique and our country what it is. Be thankful every day you live in the greatest nation on Earth, as we enter our 234th year of independence.

On the front here in Afghanistan, we have celebrated Independence Day by moving from our temporary barracks to our cramped, long-term temporary barracks on the complete other side of the airfield. I say long term temporary because when our two man portables are done some time this fall, we’ll be moving again. Relocating to the other side of the airfield means being far away from all the amenities here on the base, which include food options, MWR facilities and the much coveted wireless internet. The only good things we have after moving is that we’re passed the open-air waste pond, and the air conditioning works. Other then that, it’s going to be a pain to stay connected unless some sort of viable option is found.

My major personal goal out here was to go back to school and get a big part of that completed. Well, that requires the internet, so I have been somewhat vocal about school being a major concern of mine. Hopefully something will be done to rectify this situation. I understand we’re in a war zone here, but there isn’t anything I have mentioned which was something we were told wouldn’t be provided to us. I only expect what I was told to expect, and unfortunately it hasn’t come to fruition yet. You get through a deployment by going to work and dedicating (or rededicating) yourself to a purpose or cause; to use this time away for something personally productive long term. When you find that something already difficult is being made more difficult still, it’s disheartening. Then again, it could always be worse.

With that I will close this less than inspiring chapter of our journey. I hope all of you enjoyed your long Independence Day weekends, spent the holiday with great people around great food, and took some time to reflect and be thankful for Our Republic (never forget it is YOUR republic). Thanks for coming by and reading.
DM