Postcards from an Army Chaplain

I finally have some time to write another blog entry and even decent connectivity.  The “some time” is because I am on the last leg of our flight home from Afghanistan on our way to Fort Dix, NJ and our DEMOB site.   Yes, finally “boots off ground.”  The last few weeks have been quite whirlwind.  It started first when the Chaplain Assistant, Staff Sergeant E from the incoming unit came early on the advanced team to help me out with my chaplain shortage.  It was great having him for a few weeks. We really bonded and were together to build a continuity binder for the new chaplaincy team to take over.  Since, he was going to live it, he was able to design it to the new team specifications. 

[SSG E and me waiting for a helicopter}

One of the special events was our End of Tour award ceremony.  The senior staff received their awards separately from the rest of the Phoenix based units or outlying bases and camps.  We received the specific award for service on the deployment, plus the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and a NATO Medal.  Some received special impact awards for the total deployment; mine was rolled up in to my End of Tour Deployment, which was really nice; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal--one that can only be given in a Combat area of operation—I then gave the closing prayer at our event.  Our commanding general, BG Hammond spoke how much his senior staff leaders meant to him on the deployment. It was a great day. 

[Senior leaders End of Tour Award Ceremony]

The following week, my assistant and I went to Bagram for first Senior Regional Command Chaplaincy Conference.  That was a wonderful way to conclude my tour here.  I presented to my peers my “After Action Report” and reflections on my experience here, focusing on my role as the Theater Jewish Chaplain.  We had a great time together, probably the best part was meeting in person and chatting with folks I only know through Internet conferences.  We had much to share with each other.

[Beautiful scenery of mountains from Bagram;Senior Regional Command Chapancy Conf group photo; friends from conference; photo with MG Rapp--Commander of United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A)]

I then gave the invocation and benediction to our Camp Phoenix soldiers’ End of Tour Award Ceremony one day.  That took a long time as each soldier was called up and presented their awards. 

 

Finally, our replacement unit arrived in country and we began our RIP—Relief in Place.  With them, “boots on ground,” we knew our time for “boots off ground” was finally coming to an end in Afghanistan.  I worked with my replacement to have a successful transfer.  Chaplain Michael S. and I got along really well.  I know the Kabul Base Cluster will be in good hands with CH S.  I loved being the KBC Chaplain, but it was time to pass on the keys to the new team. 

 

On Friday, January 27^th, we, Task Force Yankee-26^th Yankee Brigade of the Massachusetts Army National Guard transferred authority for the Kabul Based Cluster to Task Force Hydra of the 648^th MEB of the Georgia Army National Guard. I gave the invocation as the outgoing KBC Command Chaplain. We saluted as the National Anthem was played. Then our commanding general and command Sergeant major “cased our unit’s colors (distinct flag).  Then the commander of TF Hydra and his CSM went to “uncase” their unit’s colors and with the reading of the orders, TF Hydra and their commander assumed command of the KBC.  Some speeches, and finally the new KBC Chaplain gave the closing benediction. We concluded by singing the Army song. 

[TOA-Transfer of Authority Ceremony, giving invocation; standing at attention; casing the colors; with CH Smith, the senior Theater Chaplain, and CH Summers, my replacement]

I had the final Friday Night service on Camp Phoenix. Over the weekend, our unit began its move to the Kabul Military Airport.  As senior staff, we remained on Phoenix to help with final advising of the new unit.  It also gave me some quiet to wrap things up, send a final package home, and just relax.  Honestly, going just about 24/7 for six months straight, it was weird having free time. 

[With my Canadian friends from Phoenix; Last time in front of my Chaplain's office; finally time to play Foosball with my friend John; how quickly they kick me out; Task Force Hydra finally takes over and has their sign up on the Command Building]

Early Monday morning, 30 January, I finally left Camp Phoenix to the airport for our flight out of country.   We had the whole day at the airport to do  “nothing;” walk around, eat, sleep, read…and just doing nothing. By the end of the evening around 11 PM, we assembled up with our combat gear one last time, and….waited.  Yes, even at the end, the Army constantly makes us wait.   We even had our gear scanned.  It is pretty amusing in that the troops had their guns scanned to board the aircraft.   The flight was a military C-17, just like the one I flew into country.  We took off somewhere around 4:30 AM and that was it for being in Afghanistan. 

[The senior group waiting to finally leave Camp Phoenix pose for a last photo; waitng for the flight out of Kabul--1 AM; on the C-17 flying to Manas]

From Kabul we flew to Manas, Kyrgyzstan.  This is one of the gateways into Afghanistan, just like Kuwait was on my incoming leg. It was COLD there, snow on the ground and a balmy 10 degrees at the high.  Again, we just had free time waiting for our flight out of the entire combat theater.  Most of us slept, read, relaxed, resorted our baggage and other mundane things.   Finally, at midnight, we started our processing for the flight home. 

[Debarking from the C-17; waiting to claim our bags; yes, it was COLD and snow; the mountain view; inside our tent]

I thought it would take just an hour or two.  Well, it took all night.  We first went though final customs.  There were about 250 of us going back to the states. Not everyone on the flight was from our unit. Then we walked marched to another holding area called “lock down” where we had our final swipe of our cards to note that we were leaving the combat theater.  The line was long.  I caught a few zzz’s before we were called to the buses that took us to the waiting plane. 

 

The plane was a fairly new 747-400.  I was able as a senior officer to get a seat in the first class section.  Trust me, it was great.  Probably the best long distant flight I’ve ever had.  I slept a bit, read a bit, and yes, worked on my blog. Total flight time including a lay over in Germany was 18 hours.

 

(now writing from Fort Dix during our DEMOB)

 

We took off on Feb 2^nd and landed 18 hours later on the second around 2:30 PM we landed in the United States of America.  We were home.  We flew directly into Maguire Air Force Base that is attached to Fort Dix.  At the bottom of the stairs were the MA Lieutenant Governor, our Adjutant General, MG Carter, and many other folks from the MA Joint Forces.  It was great seeing them.  Handshakes and hugs abound. From the tarmac, we made our way to the barracks where we would be staying.  I had a fellow LTC roommate.  Later that night, we were officially welcomed with our “in brief” to start the DEMOB process.  Over the week, we had lots of briefings about our Veteran’s Benefits, reunion with family and friends, resiliency, medical checks, records check, and our Army issued equipment and uniform turn-in.  It could have taken a lot shorter time, but somehow the Army has seen fit to drag the process along. We’re all just looking forward to seeing our families and getting home; in time. 

[Finally back in the USA]

[Turning in our multi-cam equiptment and uniforms...well really just waiting in line in the cold.  Nothing like the Army for long lines]

Well, that’s about it for now.   Finally will be rid of my combat body armor.  My next blog will probably be my last official one as it will be after I’ve seen my family and we all take a much-needed vacation together. 

B’shalom,

Larry

 

 

 

 

Before I came on deployment, an Army friend mentioned  to me that “everyone in theater (Afghanistan) is either coming or going.”  I understood in theory what he meant,  but I didn’t fully appreciate at the time is that no matter how long someone is here on deployment, you meet people just arriving or heading out the door.  And everyone is “counting the days.” 

A little over six months ago, I kissed my family goodbye from Logan Airport and flew down to Fort Benning, GA for training and the beginning of my deployment to Afghanistan.   Six months deployed and away from your family is a LONG TIME.  When I got here, still in a daze of “Oh My God, I’m in Afghanistan” mode, I met troops that were on their way home, some mid-deployment, some also just arrived shortly after me.  I even met a fellow officer that was at Benning with me.  I remember hitting the half way point and thinking, “three down, three to go.”

Well friends, I’ve finally hit the last stage of the expression: “I’m getting ready to go.”  “Boots off ground, soon.”  I can’t share when that will actually happen, nor when we will be back in the US, no less Massachusetts, due to security reasons!  It will be soon. 

Before I head out, I do have a senior chaplains conference in Bagram to go to. Should be fun and a nice time finally meeting the rest of my fellow Command Chaplains in Afghanistan.

Back to boots off ground; From Afghanistan, we fly to a base north of us in another “Stan—Trust me, not Pakistan!” From there, we then take the long flight to the States and our DeMOB site.  A week or so there, and then “real home.”  

I’m fortunate that my tour was only six months; still a long time away from family and friends.  It has been an incredible experience, hard and challenging yes, but deeply rewarding.

This will most likely be my last blog from Afghanistan.  I’m moving rooms to make way for an incoming officer from our replacement unit.  I will go to a temporary “can,” but still a single.  Can’t complain, except no Internet service.   I hope to work on a few more blogs while waiting for some sort of flight or another and post them once I hit stateside and “decent internet connections.”   (It took me 2 hours to post my Hanukkah blog with all the photos)  Keep emailing me or posting comments to the blog; I love reading what you all  write. 

Lastly, it snowed here, about 3-4 inches.  The base can look great covered in white...for about 10 minutes.

Take care,

Larry

 

How can a non-descript bath towel have a story?  Well, I have one that does.  For this towel goes back to the evening of September 11, 2001.  I was called up by my NY Army National Guard unit on that 9-11 heartbreaking day; the day when America was attacked by terrorist cowards.  I rushed to the city and worked as a chaplain for my army unit.  When I finally made it back to the armory in Williamsburg Brooklyn, I realized I forgot to back a few items in my rush to get into city earlier in the day.  One of the things I forgot was a bath towel, and honestly, I needed a shower. 

Now I always considered I was the luckiest rabbi in the entire US military being based in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Why? Because Williamsburg, Brooklyn was the home to major Hassidic groups living in America.  I even had a Kosher pizza place right up the street from the armory.  Anyway, I went outside for something and ended up talking to some of the Hassidic people living across the street.  I had asked them about where services were held for the morning, so I could go and pray before starting the next day. They couldn’t believe I was a Jew in the American army, no less a rabbi. 

Well, they asked if I needed anything, stay for Shabbat, you name it.  Suddenly, some food came out.  I did ask if I could borrow a towel since I forgot mine at home.  Another minute later, a towel appeared. The woman who gave it to me said to keep it as long as I needed it.  I thanked all of them for their kindness.    The towel came in handy and the dinner they gave me hit the spot. 

The towel ended up at home after I was off from the call-up.  Leslie first told me to throw it away, but I wanted to keep it, at least for a bit. 

A bit, turned into a year!  It seemed to go with us when we needed a towel that if we lost it, it wouldn’t matter.  A year turned into many years; the towel went to summer camp with Oren or Eliana.  When we moved to Framingham…the towel went with us.  When I would go on army overnights to the Cape…the towel went with me. And when it was time to back for my deployment to Afghanistan…why not bring the towel, too.   It only seemed appropriate.

So, a towel that I received on September 11, 2001, the official start of the war that moved to Afghanistan and ten years later brought me here, the towel had to go with me.  It too, has come full circle.

I thought of leaving the towel here, one less thing to carry, but then, I thought of finding the family I got it from and just perhaps, returning it to them.  For it is a towel with quite a tale!

 

How do I start off telling about Hanukkah? Spinning dreidels; decent latkes; Singing “I had a little Dreidel;” or best yet…walking by a five foot Hanukkah Menorah in the middle of Patriot Square that is right next to a six foot Christmas Tree, which is next to a Kwanzaa candle holder, which is next to a Festivus Poll AND “Eight Crazy Nights” by Adam Sandler is playing.  Oy, It’s Hanukkah 2011—Afghanistan style!

It was an incredible Hanukkah in Afghanistan. High Holy Days were very special to be here, but honestly, I think Hanukkah took the prize. I received the best present of all; A Hanukkah that really touched me.  I saw how important it was as a Jewish Chaplain to be here for the Jewish military and civilian personnel.  So where to start?

Now, most of the time in a combat zone, a Jewish chaplain or other Jewish service members celebrating Hanukkah would light a small Hanukkah Menorah. We receive our share of tin Menorahs to light, along with a few regular looking ones, but I wanted something that would be in our Patriot Square area and that would be a good focal point for people to come to and gather in front of. It had to be big, but not bigger than the Christmas tree. I also wanted something electric that would stay on outside throughout the night.  There wasn’t anything in the Chaplaincy Military Ordering Center to get. I had to design it myself.  And so, a once zoology major in college turned rabbi, that periodically dons Multi-cam uniforms designed a decent looking Hanukkah Menorah. I worked out the dimensions and then gave it to the Contracting Carpenters and electrical departments on Phoenix.  And they did their magic.  It turned out great.

From here the best way to tell about “eight crazy nights is through photos

These photos show the building of it out of wood and then the crew that built it. Most of them are Afghan Muslims.  That’s incredible. They really liked working on the design. Notice the low energy watt bulbs.  Yes, we try to be “green” in Afghanistan, too.

On the First night, we had about 20 people show up in the cold. We recited the blessings, lit the first light, sang some Hanukkah songs, and ate latkes (potato pancakes).  I must say, I got a bit emotional experiencing the incredible feeling of doing all this in Afghanistan. I wasn’t with my family that first night, but I was with my military family.  It was “once in a lifetime experience.”   For latkes, I gave a recipe to the dining facility to replicate.  They did an amazing job producing over 200 handmade latkes for us to eat over the first three days; they were delicious.  Of course, there was the choice of applesauce or sour cream. Many folks who weren’t even Jewish loved eating them, including some soldiers from foreign countries on base.  

The first day of Hanukkah was a “first” for Operation Enduring Freedom; we celebrated a Bar Mitzvah of a soldier in my unit that never had one at 13.  LT K missed out on having one when he was younger as he was sent to a military boarding school for 7^th grade.  He said he wasn’t the greatest student and got “into a lot of trouble.”  As time when on, he was the only Jewish student at his school, and even through collage, his Judaism fell by the wayside. 

Fast forward to a bus ride to Camp Edwards on Cape Cod for our pre-Mobilizaiton training:  I’m talking to LT K and think his name is very similar to my last name and of course, ask.  “Are you Jewish?”  “Yep.” He replied.  Well that eventually led to asking if he was Bar Mitzvah?  He replied, “No,” missed out when he was 13…I then asked if he wanted to do it in Afghanistan when we are there…He liked the idea.  Pretty cool.  And then, I broke my ankle the very next day!  

Another fast forward: I make it to Afghanistan, hook up with LT K. and we’re on again.  I email him his portion, which we decide to do on the 1^st Day of Hanukkah.  He loved the idea as Hanukkah was always his favorite Jewish holiday growing up.  We would study over the phone once a week or in person when I visited him on his Balla Hissar base.  He wrote a great speech and his parents back in Maryland send a charge to be read at the Bar Mitzvah. An uncle gave him his Tallit to use.  Our commanding General gave LT a charge; we threw candy, davened a weekday service…O.K, only the Jewish in the room sang, I tried….   A number of members from Cong. B’nai Kabul also came.   Afterwards we munched on more Latkes and other food. It was a once in a lifetime event both for the LT and for me. I’ve officiated at many B’nai Mitzvot; this was one of the best!

 

For the forth night of Hanukkah, I travelled to our Congregation B’nai Kabul folks for candle lighting, services, and dinner.  It was a great evening.  I travelled there in a convoy of MRAPs--the big new army jeeps.  I felt like a modern day Maccabee bringing the Hanukkah light and joy to the people. We had our largest crowd yet, 17.  For Kabul, this was big.

 

Christmas and Hanukkah: On Christmas Eve at midnight, I joined the other chaplains on Phoenix for a prayer and song vigil. It was VERY COLD, but very spiritually moving.  I read the paragraph about Hanukkah from the siddur (Jewish prayer book) and led Maot Tzur.  Another chaplain led a Christian prayer and Silent Night.  All different faith together was something here in Kabul, Afghanistan--a piece of home, here on an Army Base in the middle of a combat zone.

Christmas Day and Hanukkah:  It was a work day in the Army, but there was still a festive feeling in the air.  As the senior chaplain on post, I made my way around to observe the different Christmas services throughout the day.  I got to hear some nice sermons by my fellow chaplains, both Protestant and Catholic.  They said it made them feel good to have me stop by. The photo is from the Catholic Christmas Mass in their new chapel space, affectionately called, "the Basilica."  I actually helped make their move to a larger space happen.

Just like Thanksgiving, the Dining Facility goes all out.  And as a senior leader, I volunteered to serve the Christmas lunch to the service members.  I, of course wore my famous Hanukkah hat.  Hey, if others can wear a Santa Hat, why can’t I get into the fun of things?   And best yet, I served the “Turkey & Ham!”  Yes, it is fine for the “Rabbi” to do so, just as long as I didn’t lick the serving utensils. It was fun and the troops got a kick out of it.

 

For a few minutes in Afghanistan, Santa and Hanukkah “Larry” teamed up to protect Afghanistan! Notice Santa's "up-armored" sleigh.

 

With my 1SG, David and his son, who is also serving here at Phoenix with a different unit.  Like father, like son.  They are a great team!

Many people wanted to take a photo with “Hanukkah Larry.”  The photo with the two female soldiers is interesting.  The one on the left is Christian, then me, then a Muslim female soldier. But the best was a French soldier who came up to me to ask for a photo with him.  He is a French Jewish soldier.  I was happy helping him feel connected to Judaism here in Afghanistan. 

 

Off to Regional Command North and Marmal—Mazar-a-Sharif:

   One of my responsibilities as the Theater Jewish Chaplain for Afghanistan is to provide area coverage to other regions during my tour.  I’ve travelled up to Bagram a few times (my last visit was cancelled due to weather grounding helicopter flights). For Hanukkah, the Army brings in some rabbis to do area coverage in the major centers.  I was tasked to cover both the Kabul area and then travel up to Regional Command-North.  The base was called Marmal which is outside of Mazar-a-Sharif.  I travelled up with my friend and 1SG C. He acted as my chaplain assistant and personal security detail.  We had a great time together.  The visit was quite revealing.

We went up for the last two days of Hanukkah. Monday morning, bright and early—0600 briefing to move to the airport—we travelled in MRAPS to Kabul Airport.  After checking in, we waited until our flight was called.  What was interesting, is that this check-in you travel with your weapons!, well not me!  The plane, a C160 turboprop was a German military aircraft.  We walked up the back ramp of the plane (just like in the movies) and sat in “jump seats.” Due to air traffic, we waited on the ground for a good hour before we took off.  I got some sleep, no window view and definitely no beverage service.  I don’t think there was even a bathroom on the plane!  

The flight was an hour to Marmal.  Upon landing, we were greeted by CH T. who took us to our rooms. Later on showed us around the base. The Base which is run by the Germans was really clean! Not like Phoenix.  And we also noted that the air was so much cleaner and fresher.  Lately, the air in Kabul is ...well, horrendous, especially at night.  Enough said. 

I picked up a few little items, took a nap before dinner and the Hanukkah service and candle lighting.  The chapel we were in was on the American side of the base.  It was a medium size tent.  Very nice.   1SG and I set up, put up some Hanukkah decorations, and….waited.   It was advertised over the base and general area.  One civilian person showed up 50 minutes later. 1SG and I already lit the candles and were davening the evening prayers.   Upon finishing, we chatted with the person.  He said there were a lot of Jews on base, just none came.  He said would come then next day and bring two other people.

The next day, 1SG and I worked on projects.  I worked on the blog!  It was good down time. For the last night of Hanukkah, someone came on time, but he was it.  He was military from another base.  The previous gentleman didn’t show at all.  The German Protestant Chaplain also came and joined us.  We got some nice pictures, but again, NOT a big crowd. 

The mission to Marmal wasn’t a loss.  The poor turnout was probably due to the fact that the RC-North area doesn’t have a dedicated lay leader to help “drum up business and keep things going.”  I believe only a rabbi seeing things in person and on the ground could determine the problem.  1SG and I were going to leave the day after Hanukkah was over, but due to the response, we were able to get on a flight back to Kabul the last day of Hanukkah.  We definitely had things to do back at Phoenix.  

I enjoyed the flight back to Kabul about another German aircraft. I got up and looked out of the window at the gorgeous scenery. The mountains are the base of the Himalayans. Afghanistan can be a beautiful country.

 

So, what was “Eight Crazy Nights” of Hanukkah like in Afghanistan?  Amazing!  I’m proud to say the miracle of Hanukkah was alive and well in Afghanistan. 

Larry

 

 

 

 

 

 

A chaplain is really nothing without his or her Chaplain Assistant.  The job description of an Assistant is to assist the chaplain in setting up a religious worship service, administrative assistant, and personal security detail, i.e., my  body guard.  They are either an enlisted soldier or a NCO—Non-Commissioned Officer—a sergeant if you will. In a nutshell, they keep me in line and on track!

 

A Chaplain Assistant sometimes called by their Military Occupational Specialty or MOS as a 56M.  In MOS terms, I’m a 56A—Chaplain.  And just for fun, those infantry grunts are 11Bs. A 56M doesn’t have to be the same religion or gender as the chaplain. Together, the chaplain and assistant make up a “Unit Ministry Team.”  Over here in Afghanistan, the team is called Religious Support Teams or RSTs.  An Army Chaplain here can have an Air Force Assistant. 

When I first stared with 26^th Yankee Brigade, I met my Chaplain Assistant, Sergeant Darryl R.  After I broke my ankle, he continued on without me to the mobilization site at Fort Hood and then onto Afghanistan.  I met up with him again in Kabul and we worked together until mid-November when unfortunately, he had to leave theater for a family emergency. He stayed in the states and didn’t return to us.  

I then had a temporary assistant assigned to me to help sort out a bunch of stuff.  She was Specialist Meredith.  She was from the American Samoas originally. She was a great help and traveled with me to the Eastern part of Afghanistan when I did services at Bagram. She was also a great driver around Kabul.   But sadly, she was with me for only a month until she had to join up with her regular Catholic Chaplain to be his assistant for a year.

At present, I’m without a 56M, however I’ve had some help from my 1^st Sergeant and good friend, David C.  It’s been great travelling with him because learning to be Jewish himself, he’s been the perfect helper on our Hanukkah and Shabbat travels.  In just a bit, the Chaplain assistant from the unit replacing us will be sending their 56M early, just to help me out.   Can’t complain at all.

So, what does a Chaplain Assistant do?   Keep Chaplain Bazer in line! That’s Bronze Star Work!   Seriously, they are best companion and helper I can wish for.  Together, we are the Chaplain Corps.   Pro Deo et Patria--For God and Country.

SGT Daryll R. SPC M. (flying to Bagram and the day she left to go up North for her official work).

1SG David C.  On our trip to Marmel in the North.  Flying on a German Airforce C-160 and in front of a German ground vehicle. The base we were on for Hanukkah there was a German Base that the American Army used.

 

 

 

 

I’m pretty much stationed at my base, Camp Phoenix most of the time. But occasionally, I do need to visit other bases in the Kabul Base Cluster for chaplain visits, meetings, or projects that I am working on.  And then there is my role as the Afghanistan Senior Jewish Chaplain and my area coverage responsibilities. For all these “missions,” I need to head “outside the wire.” What “outside the wire” means that I am leaving my based and heading outside of the camp to travel elsewhere.  

It is always interesting to travel about.  Yes, it does carry a level of risk.  Outside of bases is where “things can happen.” However, probably the first order of action of any service member is “safety and security.” We don’t just hop in a car or truck and go out, but every mission is planned out and gets a safety briefing.  It’s required. I always feel very safe traveling with my fellow service members on the ground.  It may add up to an hour for our mission, but it is time well spent traveling.  Plus, I never have to worry about driving. Someone else, fully trained does it. I’m just a passenger.  And plus, I don’t have to worry about carrying a weapon!

When we do leave the base, everyone always has their individual combat body armor on; fancy flack vest, Kevlar helmet, eye protection, and gloves. Trust me, the body armor is NOT light, but no complaints.

The vehicles we travel in are always bullet proof and can take a good impact.  The biggest danger on the road is the traffic. It’s bad and Afghan drivers are honestly not the greatest.  Let’s say, they make Bostonian or NYC divers look tame!  As you remember from a previous blog photo, once we were stuck in traffic and a donkey cart was moving faster. 

When I do go to another region, then I’m usually traveling in helicopters, either Blackhawks or Chinooks.  When I went to the Northern Region of Afghanistan for Hanukkah, we flew on a German C-160 plane.  Pretty cool.

Except for being in the fixed wing plane, I just love to look out the window.  In a vehicle, it is also for safety, but I do get to take in the incredible scenery. It is even more cool flying above the ground in a helicopter. 

Kabul is definitely a Third World Nation, and not very high on that list either. Some scenes seem right out of the Middle Ages. One also witnesses the diversity of the Afghan people. The country is entirely Muslim, but people’s attire many times reflects the region or ethnicity they are from.  Each trip “outside the wire” reminds me how fascinating looking “out the window” really is.

Below are some of the photos of Kabul street life and others are from my flights to and from my base.

 

Views while flying...

Views while driving

 

 

One of the first activities I got involved with upon being deployed was the Operation Outreach-Afghanistan.  This is a volunteer organization specifically designed to help and benefit the Afghan People by coordinating, sorting, packaging, and best of all, delivering needed items directly to the Afghan people. 

One of the important items service members will bring to schools are “school kits” for the children.  At most schools, the children have very little supplies that our children in America take for granted. School supplies like, pen, pencils, erasers, scissors, paper, etc.  Even just, a small toy makes a difference to a child. I’ve seen many faces light up upon getting a school kit, especially the girls.

Other important items that are collected and distributed are clothing, blankets, basic medical supplies, shoes, and toys.   My own congregation, Temple Beth Sholom has been amazing in sending me items to then donate to OOA.  Boxes, and I mean, BOXES of clothing, blankets, New Balance Sneakers, and the like have poured in. It has definitely impressed my unit and OOA for TBS’s generosity. I’m really proud of them. Many Afghan families will be warmer this winter because of the work OOA has done.

One small side affect of volunteering with OOA is receiving the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. One has to put in over 80 points based on a large amount of hours volunteered working box sorting days, making fuel donuts of out shredded paper for families to heat their homes, attending meetings, and most of all, just volunteering with the Afghan people.  The award presentation take place at our bi-monthly General Membership Meetings and is a highlight of the meeting.  After five months of volunteering, I was awarded the Volunteer Service Medal along with a number of other fellow service members. It was a great day.  

 

In early December, one of our great soldiers, helped organize a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk/Run event at Camp Phoenix.  It was a 26 mile-two day event. You could do half or all of it.  I was really honored to take part in it, though for only one day.  And no, I did not run! Walking was just fine for me. My ankle did pretty well, but boy, the rest of my body took a beating.  It was a great event and over 100 people took part from different countries. We walked or ran round the base.  It was always interesting avoiding the helicopters landing when were near the helipad.  I bet, Boston’s event doesn’t have that.   And to boot, just about everyone taking part wore some sort of pink clothing.   I gave a prayer before the start.  Many of us, had specific people in mind that we were walking for.  I was walking for Leslie’s mom, Elaine Gastwirt who died of Breast Cancer before I met Leslie.  I also had some of my friends and congregants in mind who have survived Breast Cancer or are still fighting it. 

It was a great and important day in the life of Camp Phoenix. May we find a cure speedily in our days.

 

My walking partner for the first day. CW4 Gerard  We were the "slow walkers." Proud in Pink from Camp Phoenix!

So you may ask yourselves, “What do service members do when they are not doing the military stuff?”  Go shopping, of course!  On just about every base or camp, there are shops to spend that hard earn money we make over here.  First of all, the Army provides everything we officially need or want.  All my uniforms, meals, and equipment for this deployment were issued or provided to me; much of which I will have to turn in, save the actual multi-cam uniforms.  It is amusing on the uniforms, because I have four sets of them, but I can’t wear them back home, due to the fact they are Afghanistan specific. Oh, well, back to the ACU (Army Combat Uniform) that is great for camouflage against green tinted concrete buildings.

On most bases, there is a PX called an Exchange.  This is the official military store that sells American products, from sundry items, food and munchies, DVD, electronics, and clothing.  Yes, you can buy a TV set if you want to, but have fun taking it with you at the end of the deployment. I was lucky to have someone give me one, but I think I’ve turned it on all of eight times. I’m never in my room to watch it.  I will pass it along to the next chaplain when I leave.  It is neat to visit European bases, because they also have PXs, but everything is in Euros, more expensive, too. 

And on many bases there are local vendors that sell, well just about everything you could, want for  gifts and  mementos of one’s year long vacation in the Stan.  By local vendors, I mean Afghan locals who have special permits to be on base and have stores to sell things.  There are wooden items, knives and antique guns (most are fake, too), DVDs that we are warned about in American movie theaters not to buy! Suits and coats, jewelry, military souvenirs (the I was here, types). Afghan clothing, and of course, Afghan rugs.  Lots of rug shops.   These stores are open six days a week, but closed on Fridays, because that is the Muslim day of rest.  

And finally, there are special Bazaars that take place of local vendors selling things.  These are usually on Fridays.  One of the special ones is the Women’s Bazaars. All the regular storeowners or Bazaars are owned and operated by men.  It’s the male dominated society here that is traditional for Afghanistan.  Our Armed Forces have been very successful in helping Afghanistan modernize, and one special aspect has been empowering women to do more.

 We’ve built schools for both girls and boys to learn. Become female police officers and even soldiers. We’ve helped with hygiene and women’s health related issues, and the like. It is all to stop the insurgency from dominating again the society like it was before Operation Enduring Freedom.

 And one neat aspect has been having “Women’s Bazaars” come on bases.  Here only women are running their shop and making the profits for themselves and their families. They may be selling the same items as the regular storeowners, but it is a good feeling specifically buying from them. I’ve bought some scares, Afghan-made bags, and Jewelry from various Women shops.  We even have a regular store owned by a woman on base now  near our coffee shop.  She sells and represents items from other women businesses. 

This is just one important way we are making a difference here in Afghanistan.

 

 

I love Thanksgiving! It is the one American Holiday that has special “spiritual” meaning for me.  Back in Framingham, Temple Beth Sholom takes part in the annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Worship Service. It is great to participate with my fellow Framingham Clergy.  Then there is the meal and I love turkey with all the fixings.  It is a day to give thanks for what we have, not what we don’t.

So this year, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2011 was definitely different, but no less meaningful.  It was hard not to be with my family for the holiday.  This year, I was with my Army family!  Before the main noon traditional Thanksgiving meal, I organized a Camp Phoenix Interfaith Worship Service. Four chaplains of different faith groups took part. Our Phoenix Gospel Choir sang two songs.  And an amazing event took place: Guess who led the congregation in the famous Thanksgiving hymn, “We Gather Together?”   I’m proud to say, everyone survived!  

Then it was off to lunch.  As a senior officer at Camp Phoenix and the KBC Command Chaplain I helped hand out trays to the dinners.  It is a tradition on Thanksgiving for senior staff to serve the meal or help out in some way.  I greeted the service members at the door and handed out their trays. It was a lot of fun.

For the service members, the DFAC (dining facility) when all out preparing a great meal for the troops and decorating the place to give an “almost feel of home.” It looked beautiful.   The troops had all the traditional food to eat. Turkey, roast beef, other non-kosher items… Granted, everything is shipped in.  It was great.  And what did I eat… … Turkey of course…  Microwaved Kosher self-stable Meal Mart Turkey Shwarama that I put into a wrap.  Not too bad.  Hey, it was turkey! 

We here in Afghanistan were grateful and thankful for all that we have and we look forward to next year celebrating Thanksgiving Day with our families and loved ones.

I hope you all had a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving!

Larry

 

Handing out plates. With CH (CPT) James Hairston, also from MA and one of my chaplains. Yummy non-Kosher roast. My friend, John Lee carving up the "beast." Always start with dessert.

The main attraction!

Side dishes. Sharing the meal together. The above two phots were of the great decorations in the dining hall. COLs Cirvello and Nagle serving the different pies. Eating with my Army Family And finally, my turkey dinner!