thedrifter
07-06-05, 09:50 AM
Troops in Afghanistan celebrate Fourth of July
By BARRY WINEGARD
U.S. Army
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
EDITOR'S NOTE: U.S. Army Col. Barry Wingard of Florence is assigned to Kabul, Afghanistan.
Soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines working out of Camp Eggers, Afghanistan, celebrated the Fourth of July on July 1 enjoying what we call "low battle rhythm."
Although missions and force protection continues, nonessential meetings, briefings, and the like are scaled back; it affords time to kick back and relax.
To my surprise and great delight, I discovered one of Camp Eggers' newest soldiers is from the Pee Dee.
Marion native Captain Cenethea Harraway, daughter of the late James Drayton and Dorothy Drayton, is an 18-year U.S. Army veteran.
The University of South Carolina graduate is doing a superb job as deputy director of public affairs, a demanding job in a combat zone.
Harraway and hundreds of other warriors were treated to a bonanza of foodstuffs, including T-bones, burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and ribs, with all the trimmings, corn on the cob, potato salad, and delicious cakes, cookies and pies.
If desperate enough, you could wash it all down with everybody's favorite, nasty near-beer, Three Horse Ale.
While I stuffed my face, energetic (younger) colleagues competed in events such as the Humvee pull, litter (stretcher) races, and pull-ups or push-ups.
There were less military-specific contests such as three-on-three basketball and dominoes.
All in all, the day provided much needed, albeit brief, respites from our normal, hectic tempo.
As festive as the day was, sadness hovered in the air as thoughts drifted to the warriors who paid the full price. The missing recon team and loss of 16 colleagues is still sinking in. Our sympathy goes out to families and friends of our comrades in arms.
Keeping up with what is going on at home is important, and as time permits, I follow the Morning News and The State online services.
Two things regarding veterans caught my attention.
Congratulations to Mayor Frank Willis and his Veterans Memorial Committee, a group I was privileged to work with before coming here.
Because of their dedication, efforts by Ed Young, and the Byrd family generosity, Florence soon will have a much-needed addition to the community as it honors veterans.
The other big news regarding veterans is the magnificent veterans monument being constructed on the Statehouse grounds, now scheduled for dedication Veterans' Day, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m.
I, too, was fortunate to be an appointee to this group. I feel a sense of pride that I had a small part in honoring our veterans in these two venues, even though I went AWOL before the missions were complete.
In closing, you might know I devote a few hours each week to community relations if possible.
Visiting orphanages, villages or hospitals is depressing, yet rewarding. I deliver goods - blankets, clothes and hygiene products - whatever you send. Via this forum, allow me to acknowledge some who clearly went "beyond the call of duty."
Columbia's WVOC Radio's Keven Cohen, an afternoon talk-show host, interviewed me live to discuss our Afghan mission and our volunteer work.
The result was dozens of boxes of goods and donations of cash for destitute Afghans.
Next, the Newberry First Baptist Church congregation sends shipments regularly and in great quantity.
I am elated to be the conduit to deliver goods to those who suffer in unbelievable poverty, but I also feel guilty that, because of others' generosity, I am able to reap the rewards of the Afghans' joy and see the smiles, the eyes light up and sense their happiness.
Most of all, I want to thank all of you for your support for the troops here in Afghanistan, among America's finest young men and women, doing what the people we elected asked them to do, and doing it outstandingly.
- U.S. Army Col. Barry Wingard of Florence is assigned to Kabul, Afghanistan, in the Office of Military Cooperation, Director of Resource Sector (Police). His office works with the government of Afghanistan and coalition forces to recruit, train and equip a 62,000-man Afghan National Police Force.
Ellie
By BARRY WINEGARD
U.S. Army
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
EDITOR'S NOTE: U.S. Army Col. Barry Wingard of Florence is assigned to Kabul, Afghanistan.
Soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines working out of Camp Eggers, Afghanistan, celebrated the Fourth of July on July 1 enjoying what we call "low battle rhythm."
Although missions and force protection continues, nonessential meetings, briefings, and the like are scaled back; it affords time to kick back and relax.
To my surprise and great delight, I discovered one of Camp Eggers' newest soldiers is from the Pee Dee.
Marion native Captain Cenethea Harraway, daughter of the late James Drayton and Dorothy Drayton, is an 18-year U.S. Army veteran.
The University of South Carolina graduate is doing a superb job as deputy director of public affairs, a demanding job in a combat zone.
Harraway and hundreds of other warriors were treated to a bonanza of foodstuffs, including T-bones, burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and ribs, with all the trimmings, corn on the cob, potato salad, and delicious cakes, cookies and pies.
If desperate enough, you could wash it all down with everybody's favorite, nasty near-beer, Three Horse Ale.
While I stuffed my face, energetic (younger) colleagues competed in events such as the Humvee pull, litter (stretcher) races, and pull-ups or push-ups.
There were less military-specific contests such as three-on-three basketball and dominoes.
All in all, the day provided much needed, albeit brief, respites from our normal, hectic tempo.
As festive as the day was, sadness hovered in the air as thoughts drifted to the warriors who paid the full price. The missing recon team and loss of 16 colleagues is still sinking in. Our sympathy goes out to families and friends of our comrades in arms.
Keeping up with what is going on at home is important, and as time permits, I follow the Morning News and The State online services.
Two things regarding veterans caught my attention.
Congratulations to Mayor Frank Willis and his Veterans Memorial Committee, a group I was privileged to work with before coming here.
Because of their dedication, efforts by Ed Young, and the Byrd family generosity, Florence soon will have a much-needed addition to the community as it honors veterans.
The other big news regarding veterans is the magnificent veterans monument being constructed on the Statehouse grounds, now scheduled for dedication Veterans' Day, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m.
I, too, was fortunate to be an appointee to this group. I feel a sense of pride that I had a small part in honoring our veterans in these two venues, even though I went AWOL before the missions were complete.
In closing, you might know I devote a few hours each week to community relations if possible.
Visiting orphanages, villages or hospitals is depressing, yet rewarding. I deliver goods - blankets, clothes and hygiene products - whatever you send. Via this forum, allow me to acknowledge some who clearly went "beyond the call of duty."
Columbia's WVOC Radio's Keven Cohen, an afternoon talk-show host, interviewed me live to discuss our Afghan mission and our volunteer work.
The result was dozens of boxes of goods and donations of cash for destitute Afghans.
Next, the Newberry First Baptist Church congregation sends shipments regularly and in great quantity.
I am elated to be the conduit to deliver goods to those who suffer in unbelievable poverty, but I also feel guilty that, because of others' generosity, I am able to reap the rewards of the Afghans' joy and see the smiles, the eyes light up and sense their happiness.
Most of all, I want to thank all of you for your support for the troops here in Afghanistan, among America's finest young men and women, doing what the people we elected asked them to do, and doing it outstandingly.
- U.S. Army Col. Barry Wingard of Florence is assigned to Kabul, Afghanistan, in the Office of Military Cooperation, Director of Resource Sector (Police). His office works with the government of Afghanistan and coalition forces to recruit, train and equip a 62,000-man Afghan National Police Force.
Ellie