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thedrifter
11-22-08, 08:10 AM
Local Marine returns home after long tour

By Sarah Arkin

Published: November 21, 2008

U.S. Marine Neal Donohue is glad to be back home in Danville for a little rest and relaxation after serving a longer than normal tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Donohue’s unit, one of the first Marine units to enter Afghanistan in a few years, arrived in Kabul on April 23 and a few days later, the Marines were in the Garmsher district in Helmand province, a known Taliban stronghold.

In a recent interview, Donohue said the area is so rural there aren’t any dirt roads.

“More like dust roads,” he said. “A very poor area, a big opium producing area. …The Taliban can basically do whatever they want.”

The unit’s first mission was to secure a route to Camp Rhino, the first U.S. Forward Operating Base in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Having been told their mission would be between seven and 10 days, the Marines packed up a few things: some water, some food, a blanket and socks.

“We can survive off nothing,” Donohue said.

After 144 days, they finally returned to base.

Donohue wasn’t sure of all the details that went into the decision to keep them in the Helmand province for so long, but at the end of the day, he said they just had to get the mission done.

In extremely hot weather, often above 100 degrees, hydration was the first concern. The closest operating base was 7 kilometers from the camp, and it was a “very small base at that,” Donohue said. Water rations and food rations were dropped in by helicopter.

The Marines quickly learned desert tricks to keep things cool, Donohue said, adding they dug holes in the sand to bury water canisters.

There was “a lot of fighting going on … explosions, things blowing up,” during the first month, he said. The sound of choppers flying over him was a comforting feeling because it meant the area was clear.

During his time there, Donohue developed a decent relationship with some of the Afghani people, who he said were “scared” of the Marines at first. Donohue said the Marines always helped out by providing medical attention, food and water — and candy for the children.

Donohue knows that he’s only back in the U.S. for a while, though he doesn’t know when or where he will be deployed next. With gas prices and the recent all-consuming election big news at home, Donohue said he’s concerned that people might not really be paying enough attention to the war.

“Nowadays, a lot of Americans are losing their lives,” he said.

Despite the lack of attention and public support, Donohue said he knows he’s doing the right thing.

“Everybody should at least serve their country,” he said.

Contact Sarah Arkin at sarkin@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7983.

Ellie