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