Pictures from Afghanistan and Thanksgiving

The husband has finally sent photos! WOO HOO! (Good job Marky!) No, they are not of his promotion, though, I am happy to say that he has some- he just is unable to load them onto a computer in Afghanistan. In short- the promotion photos will be posted in January some time. In the mean time, below are pictures of Mark before going on a helicopter ride around Kandahar. Supposedly the helicopter ride was for "fun" and not work in early November. He said it was pretty awesome and was cool too see the region from a bird's eye view. As for the photos- as a highly concerned wife, I am happy to see he doesn't even remove his hand from his gun- even when taking photos!

Mark (right) and J.S. (another LT in Mark's unit) before the helicopter trip

Group of soldiers going on helicopter trip Mark is second from the left

In other news, Mark reports getting a Thanksgiving dinner in Afghanistan. And while the food was alright- the family and football was definitely missing. On Friday, he found out that his job is changing (yet again!). He has yet to have the same job for more than 2 months- so again, we'll see how long this one lasts. Mark had one day to train the guy taking over his old job of Battle Captain, and he is now back to working with the ANSF (Afghan National Security Force- aka their police). He will be away from the base that he has a bed and showers at and will now be sleeping on a cot, showering once a week, and living with the ANSF. If you plan on sending a care package anytime soon- Mark is requesting baby/wet wipes to help cut down his dirty and "stinkiness". Please keep him in your prayers a little extra- with this job he will not have the same security or comfort as living on post provided.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We kept Chip the Chimp (my "stand in Mark"- a gift that he gave me before he left) nearby for the holiday and Mark was definitely on many of our minds over this holiday.

Lamb Family for Thanksgiving

With love,

Angie

Promotion!

It is officially Nov 23rd in Afghanistan! This means Mark is promoted today to a 1st Lieutenant! Hooah! (Please remember to update the address on his letters/packages to 1LT Mark Kloiber.) The ceremony will happen sometime in the near future when it works its way into the schedule. I'm just crossing my fingers that he can get someone to take a photo of him at the promotion! He has had a camera over there since he left and has failed to take a single photo. I guess I can't blame him completely- I wouldn't want to necessarily remember all of the stuff he is experiencing nor does he have the time to simply sit and shoot photos. That I understand. However, I am hoping to re-live his promotion ceremony (which should be a happy moment) through the photos.

His job will continue to remain the same, though Mark did mention to me that he has a hunch his job will yet again change after he returns to Afghanistan after his R&R. Some things just fail to surprise me anymore.

On a different note- I heard from Ms. B's fiance (a fellow classmate of mine) that the 3rd graders received the first few letters that Mark had wrote back to them on an individual basis. My classmate told me that she announced to the class that they had received mail from Lt. Mark and the whole classroom erupted with excitement. She said that the kids' reaction to the news was as if it was Christmas morning. She explained that only a few will be getting letters today, but he will continue to write on an individual response to each of them. Not even that bit of info put a damper on the kids' mood. They were absolutely loving it!

Last week the school held a supply drive for the unit and will be sending the gathered items over to Afghanistan in the upcoming weeks. It really has been wonderful to know that teachers are taking the opportunity to educate children about current history and the wars that are currently happening but also taking an active approach to show them how they can show their support to the military and its soldiers. The support is always appreciated- and I'm sure the soldiers love hearing from the kiddos as well.

And on my end- only 3 more weeks of classes! I will be done with finals on Dec 14 and on the 15th I start my road trip with one of my best friends B.K. to move my remaining belongings out to WA. After the 15th, I will have no more rent to pay in WI and will officially be becoming a WA resident. B.K. and I will both be flying back for the holidays. In the new year, I will begin my last semester of graduate school which consists of two clinical rotations- both out in WA. All of this brings me one step closer to finally being able to live with my husband- when he gets home from this deployment. In the meantime- I have the fast approaching holidays and R&R time to look forward to!

Love,

Angie

Veteran’s Day with a Whole New Understanding

It is Veteran's Day today. All day I have had an absolutely hightened understanding of the significance of Veteran's Day and all of the sacrifices that those veterans before me have made. I am grateful for their service, grateful to be able to serve myself, and I am grateful for my Angela who reminds me what is great about America and why sacrificing for her and my other loved ones is so worth it.

Angie wrote me the very sweet words below. I might have been compelled to keep them for myself, but she already shared them with the world on Facebook. Thank you for your sweet words. Reading about your pride in me reminds me of the value in the sacrifices that I make and the reasons why I serve... and it fills me with love.

Thank you, Angela. I love you!

Angie's Note:

Veteran’s Day with a Whole New Understanding

I was proud of you,
when you were so excited about applying to West Point.

I was proud of you,
when you were accepted and left early that first summer to train.

I was proud of you,
when you earned your first award- the German Proficiency Badge.

I was proud of you,
when I got to see you interact with your leaders at West Point functions.

I was proud of you,
when I got to see your face after receiving your diploma.

I was proud of you,
when I got to see you in your dress blues for the first time.

I was proud of you,
when I got to see you lead for the first time as a Lt to the saber arch soldiers.

I was proud of you,
when I saw you after you got pepper sprayed- simply to know what it feels like.

I was proud of you,
when you told me you earned a coin while training in Hawaii for your stellar work.

I was proud of you,
when you told me you got another award while training in Colorado again for your work.

I was proud of you all these times for your service, work, and dedication to the military.
But I am most proud of everything you have given up these last 5 months for the sake of the military. I have been proud of you every minute you have been deployed and every minute leading up to this deployment. You never gave into my moments of negativity about the situation. You never wished that you wouldn’t be in Afghanistan even though you have given up so much to do so.

You are my hero, my veteran, my husband. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for people like you. You have said before that I have the harder job of deployment because I am not around people in a similar situation. But YOU, dear, have the hardest job. You are the one in harms way, you are the one eating pre-packaged food, you are the one who doesn’t have the leisure of sleeping in a little longer if you choose, you are the one who has endured 113 degree weather, you are the one who deals with the most monotone environment, you are the one a long way from ALL of your family and friends. You, Marky, are the soldier who does everything that is asked of him, to the best of his ability, no matter what it takes. You are the soldier I am most proud of. You are the soldier I am fortunate enough to call my husband. You, dear, are my own personal hero.

On this Veteran’s Day, thank you- for your sacrifice, your love for your country, and your bravery to serve.

I love you- and I am so proud.

Forever and Always,
Angela

Battalion Newsletter

Some of you may not know this, but Mark’s current job is to track and document where all of the companies in the battalion are, what they are doing, what they plan on doing, and what they need to be doing. He relays information up and down the chain of command and gets all this information to where it needs to be. NO simple task! Every month the battalion sends out a newsletter to family updating us on what they can share about what is happening in Afghanistan. Sometimes I welcome the newsletter openly to try and understand and relate to what Mark is experiencing and doing since he can release very little information to me about his day and what he does. Other times I dread opening the newsletter e-mail for fear that it will make me worry even more than I already do.

This month’s newsletter (which is based on the happenings of mid September to mid October I believe) were more than anything optimistic to me. It sounds like the soldiers are making a true difference in the lives of the Afghan people. This also seems evident from the pictures that were in the battalion newsletter (sorry I can't post them in the blog!). When I read each company in the battalions update I can not help but think it is Mark’s job to help track each companies busy schedule. Each company has multiple missions and tasks it is undertaking so Mark’s job is no easy task. While reading the newsletter, I also couldn't help but think what a difference Mark and the other deployed soldiers are making in the lives of the Afghan people that they are affecting. One of my last posts on the blog was about school kids here in the US that were sending letters to Mark. Both me and Mark's mom's commented on how Mark may inspire one of those Brown Deer 3rd graders. I couldn't help but think- I wonder how Mark and the other soldiers are inspiring the Afghan people they are so deeply affecting. Here are some segments of the newsletter from companies within Mark’s battalion. (Mark’s battalion’s name is the Dragon Fighters). 

Coalition Forces, particularly the 504th MP BN, were responsible for mentoring the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in their security plan leading up to the elections. Our military police directly partner with the Afghan National Police (ANP) and planned a combination of traffic control points, polling site security and roving patrols. All of our efforts had to have an Afghan face on it. “We put a tremendous amount of effort towards making sure that the we weren‘t solving the security problems for the Afghans, that the Afghans were solving Afgan security problems,” stated one soldier. Soldiers and leaders alike seem to be pleased with the way the Election Day concluded. There were over a hundred less SIGACTs‘ this year compared to last year. Not a single person was even killed this year. “The Taliban obviously tried to scare the people with violence but they failed,” remarked another.

170th MP company: “Dragon- slayer elements befriended local villagers who stated that they were happy and grateful for the presence of U.S. Soldiers. Primarily, due to the fact that they were unable to maintain their crops based on the overwhelming Taliban forces threatening their families. The presence of U.S. Soldiers provided security and safety for the Local Nationals to conduct normal, daily routines without the constant fear and threat of the Taliban, which greatly improved their way of life.”

202 MP Company: “The Soldiers have been busy assisting with the elections, mentoring the Afghan Police and various other missions.The Platoons have started building a good rapport with the Afghan National Police and they are working well together. The Soldiers are doing well and are still very motivated. I would like to thank the families and the FRG for the support that you have provided the Soldiers here. Please keep sending the care packages. The Soldiers truly love them.”

552nd MP Company: “As the weeks go by, Soldiers have begun to find a routine in their daily schedules and occasionally you can hear the question, ―what day is it today? Each Platoon has effectively and professionally created a relationship with each Police Chief and has partnered with the Afghan National Police on several mounted and dismounted patrols.”

Special Investigation Unit: 504 MP BN‘s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) partners with Investi-

gators from the Provincial Headquarters (PHQ) of Security to teach Afghan security officials how to use forensics and build a case-file to get criminals prosecuted.

Message from the Chaplain
“Let me ask you a couple of questions. First, who speaks words of life into your heart? When the going gets tough, beyond tough, who is in your corner telling you to keep going? I pray that you find people like that. People who share your good values, and encourage you to keep fight- ing the good fight. They may be in your worship community, the FRG, and working in places like ACS, CYSS, and the numerous organizations whose sole purpose is to serve those who serve.

The second question is this: whose heart are you speaking words of life into? Daily we cross paths with people and have the opportunity to lift someone‘s spirits. Simply thanking someone for doing something well is a good start. Try it out the next time someone takes your groceries out at the commissary. After you tip them, look them in the eye and thank them for helping you. If your kids are in daycare, the next time you pick them up, look the person in the eye behind the counter and thank them for taking good care of your child.

Know this, your soldiers here in Kandahar, whether they are your spouses, children, siblings, or friends, need you to speak words of life into their hearts. While there are a thousand things to be thankful for here, this place can also be discouraging at times. When the days are dark, a good word from someone who matters makes all the difference in encouraging the heart of the Soldier. Take the time to drop your Soldier a card with something positive written inside. It could be a quote from a movie or a song, but intentionally speak words of life to them. In fact, it might be a good idea to find a way to speak words of life into the heart of someone every day. You may find that it is contagious.”

From looking at the photos (which I unfortunately cannot post), I am so glad and fortunate to live and be a citizen of the United States. On this election Tuesday, I couldn't imagine or fathom the outside of the voting booth looking like the photo in the newsletter taken from Sept 18th (Afghanistan Election Day). The picture shows children, Afghan Security forces, and US soldiers all intermingling outside a building. US soldiers have guns in hand and ready, and the children do not seem phased at all. I know how I would feel in that situation and it doesn't match the faces of those Afghan children. I am so grateful for my freedom, protection, and for all those deployed soldiers trying to bring that small taste of safety to the Afghan people. 

I hope you enjoyed the update and that all is well. 

Love

Angie

E-mail from Mark: "It's been a great 24 hours!"

Hey All!

Well it has been a great 24 hours! Thanks so much for making it so. I got an update from Mom and Dad, Mom and Dad Lamb, Mama and Papa Klapproth, Nate, Dale, Brian, Wulf, and Angie. Dale sent me his second email in the last 4.5 months, the German half of my family sent me a birthday present (Haribo macht Kinder und MARK froh!), I received Halloween presents from mom and dad and Lamb mom and dad last night as well. I even got an update on Brian (although probably from Tuttles) and Riley (thanks mom). The only reason I leave Angie out is because I am still working on her birthday, halloween, and in between packages. (I think she's obsessed with me.) Anyways, it was great to hear from everyone. It sounds like everyone is doing well, which is great. I continue to be awesome and amazing in all that I do (that should come as little surprise). I am getting super pumped to come home for R&R (Urlaub). I cannot believe that it is already November!  Oh, and on top of everything else, the Packers won and the Bears still suck.

As of right now things are looking promising for me to be home for about two weeks in January. I hope things don't change. It's still pretty hot around here- upper 70s, low 80s every now and again. It drops to mid 50s during the night. Quite beautiful. It rained one night a week or so ago for the first time in 4.5 months. That was kind of cool. I slept through it, but it was neat to see water in the morning. I suppose it will be another month or two now before it rains again.

That's about it from here. I am slowly writing letters to those little third grade buggers who wrote me from Brown Deer (the teacher is a friend of Angie's). I have 3 done and probably 20 to go. I am hoping to have them done before Christmas. We'll see. I hope I didn't miss anyone or anything. Oh, and happy election day, all. I hope you got your vote in. I beat the rush and voted 3 weeks ago. Have a great day (like me).

Love you and miss you all.
Your, Mark