In your thoughts and in your prayers, as you go about your daily tasks, take some time each day to think about our brave men and women in Afghanistan...all too often out of mind as we argue endlessly about Iraq. They carry out their tasks bravely, too; and also have their victories to their credit, and their fallen to honor:
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan – The Regional Command-East commanding general and command sergeant major honored the memory of Army 1st Sgt. Christopher Rafferty March 2 with his Soldiers of C Company, 37th Engineering Battalion, 20th Engineering Brigade, Task Force Eagle.
The dedication ceremony was held to remember the loss of the friend and leader Rafferty had become to the Soldiers of TF Eagle. Rafferty died from wounds suffered during a mortar attack at Forward Operating Base Sharana July 20, 2006.
“First Sergeant Rafferty was one of the best NCOs I’ve met because he always gave 100 percent and was always there for you,” said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Macavinta. “He was invincible to me.”
There were five Soldiers who spoke at the ceremony, each sharing their experiences they had with Rafferty and the positive impacts he had on their lives. The overwhelming theme each speaker told was Rafferty’s ability to be there for Soldiers when they needed him.
Rafferty’s Soldiers are soon redeploying to Fort Bragg, N.C., but they will not leave the memory of their first sergeant behind according to Macavinta. “He is gone but will never be forgotten.”
The projects undertaken while Rafferty and the 20th Eng. Bde. were assigned to FOB Sharana were the development of Khayr Kot Castle enabling a larger engineering presence in the area; general expansion of FOB Sharana; and road construction to Motakhan, according to 1st Lt. Seth Chappell, TF Eagle.
“You’ve done everything asked of you and more,” said Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, RC-East. Take care of yourselves at home as you have taken care of each other here.”
The dedication ceremony was followed by an awards presentation recognizing many TF Eagle Soldiers for bravery and individual accomplishments during their deployment.
“Thank you for your success in accomplishing your mission,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, command sergeant major, RC-East. “You have done it well.”
Rafferty is survived by his wife, Wendy, and daughters, Samantha, 13, and Kayla, 9.
As I've been saying before, what we are doing in this war is the greatest outpouring of love and devotion this nation has seen since the Civil War. Never have so many so willingly given of themselves for the service of absolute strangers. These men and women in our armed forces are simply better than most people - flawed, as all people are, but in the fact that they are willing to law down their lives for others, they are shown to be a cut above.
Remember them, every day.
Posted by Mark Noonan at March 5, 2007 08:28 AM
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We would win Afganistan if the cuffs were taken off our troops.
Posted by: Darth Malice at March 5, 2007 08:40 AM
So willingly???
At a time when record numbers of troops are facing charges for not reporting for duty to be sent back to Iraq and Afghanistan?
Long tours of duty in dangerous places, followed by cuts in care when they get back and doubt as to the legitimacy of their deployment - no, my friend, they go where they're told because of the consequences of refusing, but more and more troops are less and less willing to be sacrificed on the altar of money and oil that the politicians have demanded.
When they get there they do the best they can. Sgt. Rafferty would not be alone in the comeradery that troops feel when they're vulnerable and under fire; they stick together. But please don't disgrace this man's hard work and sacrifice by suggesting that the illegal occupation (which is now the term secretary of state Rice has put on the occupation of Iraq, given that she compares it to the occupation of Germany after WWII) of Iraq and the botched mission of Afghanistan are somehow all made better because the troops act selflessly before they die!
Posted by: Whisperwolf at March 5, 2007 11:56 AM
Whisperwolf, I'm a liberal, and have to say that 90% of your post is garbage. Stop drinking the Koolaid man.
Posted by: grosseMann at March 5, 2007 12:11 PM
We would win Afganistan if the cuffs were taken off our troops.
Posted by: Darth Malice at March 5, 2007 08:40 AM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I totally agree with the above! They are barely allowed to do their job!
My husband has served 2 tours there. I have friends who are there NOW and have been there.
Regardless of what the left "thinks" they know. There is MUCH much work going on over there. I know this as FACT. Botched mission? WTF are you talking about? You have no clue what you are talking about!
Posted by: AFWIFE at March 5, 2007 01:07 PM
do you have a link to the "record numbers of troops are facing charges for not reporting for duty to be sent back to Iraq and Afghanistan" comment to support your statement? And if you do some digging, you'll find that the majority of soldiers do not care about the politics of war. Or the politicains involved.
Afganistan was a botched mission?
Posted by: zachster at March 5, 2007 01:08 PM
speaking as a gulf 1 vet, I've always felt that Afganistan & the tribal regions of Pakistan ARE the central front on the WOT.
this is where we'll destroy UBL & AQ, not Iraq.
lieutenant wannabe JFK was correct (likely by accident) that the Iraq invasion is a distraction.
still we just can't unass the AO like some want but we do need an endgame.
Posted by: OhioOrrin at March 5, 2007 01:27 PM
"Botched mission? WTF are you talking about? You have no clue what you are talking about!"
I'm talking about taking a perfectly straightforward military mission and turning it into a nightmare. I'm talking about not giving troops enough equipment and support to do the job. I'm talking about changing the goalposts to keep troops there longer, changing the definition of "victory" to make sure it never comes. Lastly I'm talking about shredding the social support system for troops who return home fit, and utterly destroying it for those who return home crippled.
Yes, there's a lot of work going on there - the troops try their hardest to do their jobs despite the politicians moving the goalposts all the time... but these latest incidents in Afghanistan are just the fuse for a very angry people who only see the troops and don't realise that a lot don't think there's any need for them to even BE there any more.
Posted by: Whisperwolf at March 5, 2007 03:25 PM
Whisperwolf:
I have a personal connection to the event mentioned; my son, who is returning to Bragg on 3/10 was with the 37th Airborne Combat Engineers, in the mortar/rocket attack that killed Sgt Rafferty. There were several others wounded in the 37th over the course of a very dangerous and active year, but no deaths.
I have another son in Baghdad with the 101st, and another, formerly with the 101st and currently applying for SF, returned two months ago to Campbell, but is currently at Bragg. I have some perspective on both wars. If my sons disagree with you, are they delusional, ignorant, or simply stupid?
You second post is entirely without merit, and your first is confusing, to say the least. What evidence do you have for any of your claims? Are you former military?
Posted by: Rhod at March 5, 2007 03:47 PM
Whisperwolf:
One of my sons was with the 37th AirborneCombat Engineers in the mortar/rocket attack that killed Sgt Rafferty. Over the course of a very dangerous year, the 37th took several casualties at FOB Sharana and nearby, but no deaths. As far as I know, no one was wounded at KKC. They all be home within a week.
I have another son with the 101st in Baghdad, and another, formerly of the 101st, returned to Campbell two months ago. A Cav Scout, and Ranger qualified, he's now at Bragg, hoping to be accepted into SF.
You second post is entirely without merit, and your first is confusing, to say the least. For it to be true, my sons are either delusional, ignorant, blind followers, or simply stupid.
What's the evidence for your claims. Are your former military; have you served in either of these theatres?
Posted by: Rhod at March 5, 2007 03:53 PM
Correction: The 37th took casualties but no deaths other than Sgt. Rafferty's.
Posted by: Rhod at March 5, 2007 05:26 PM
Nevermind the facts. Whisperwolf says that it's botched, because that's what the MSM propaganda mills tell him, and his mind is theirs. They own him.
That being said, let me offer up that it much more difficult for a country with self-imposed restrictions like a democratic form of government or participation in (and actual conscious abidance of resolutions set by) bodies like the UN or observance of the Geneva conventions. I'm not saying that any of those things are wrong, but it is a MUCH slower process to win the hearts and minds of a people than, say, what Russia did in Chechnya. Combine that with a TV dinner mentality back home, and you have political disaster.
What we'er fighting for in Afghanistan and Iraq IS just and right. We ARE also winning there. It IS taking a long time. However, with patience and fortitude, we will make a change for the better over in that region.
Posted by: Bret Helm at March 5, 2007 05:58 PM
Whisperwolf:
You have no idea what you are spewing. Please stop posting, because you are posting nothing but false opinions.
Posted by: AFWIFE at March 5, 2007 06:51 PM
We would win Afghanistan if the cuffs were taken off our troops.
Posted by: Darth Malice at March 5, 2007 08:40 AM
Don't be blaming this on Democrats. Democrats were all for making the place into a lake if need be after 911. Cuffs have been placed on our war on terror troops because most of the equipment needed to fight a successful campaign in Afghanistan is being picked clean sitting in the middle of an Iraqi Civil war.
Post such, as these, hiding behind the troops to make attacks on Democrats, are becoming pathetic. Don’t even one of you necons have even one opinion as to what is happening to our wounded in the VA system. I can hardly find a thread on b4b concerning the subject. For six years Republicans and neocons controlled all branches of government. Republicans controlled all committees and investigative topics. Democrats were forced to the basement. In less than three months of Democratic control the Republican filth is rising to the top. The Neocon cry of support our troops is starting to sound like white noise. Some of these troops will require our support for their entire lives. Republicans just don’t have the stomach for this type of long term commitment.
Posted by: Josh Keaton at March 5, 2007 06:53 PM
Apologies for the double posts about the 37th. Typekey burps.
I would agree that the Afghan operation has taken second place to Iraq, and the springtime might be a problem.
Posted by: Rhod at March 5, 2007 08:21 PM
Whisperwolf posts: "record numbers of troops are facing charges for not reporting for duty to be sent back to Iraq and Afghanistan"
OK - how many? A number please. What percentage is that? Compare to similar statistics from what conflicts?
Posted by: Kahn at March 5, 2007 10:35 PM
The Taliban is in many ways similar to the KKK that arose in the south after the War Between the States. Hatred, bigotry, rage, and a very unhealthy dose of ignorance. Does anyone think I'm off on this?
It seems to me that that area is made up of many ignorant people (and I intend that mean uneducated) with very good "mountain" skills who have been raised by a controlling religious organization that is only slightly less ignorant. They are ruthless killers, just as the Klan was ruthless. But, it seems to me that they are even worse. They treat their own people - especially women atrociously. They indiscriminately kill men, women, and children. And they are often willing to kill themselves in order to kill others. It is a really really messed up culture.
We have been up against fanatics before. The Marines had to flame cave after cave and close them up with explosives. Do we need to get viscous like that again?
Posted by: Kahn at March 5, 2007 11:31 PM
I'd like to point out what should be obvious to everyone. The War in Afghanistan is an Afghani Civil War. The Taliban are Afghanis. The Karzai government is Afghani. Afghanis are fighting Afghanis.
In fact, Afghanistan was in the midst of a Civil War before the US declared war on it, three weeks after 9/11. The Afghanistan Northern Alliance was fighting a war against the Afghanistan Taliban. Today, the war in Afghanistan is between Afghanistan's Karzai government/US allies vs. the Afghanistan Taliban/Al Qaeda terrorists.
For those who want to run from Iraq on the basis that Iraq is in the midst of a Civil War, logic suggests that the same reasoning/course of action would also have to apply to Afghanistan's Civil War.
P.S. Thank you Charles Krauthammer for pointing this obvious fact out to me. (It just never occurred to me. I don't know why.)
Posted by: Freedom1 at March 5, 2007 11:56 PM
Freedom1:
The irrational Durand Line drawn by the Brits in the 1890's to divide the unbeatable Afghans from India (and, then West, Pakistan, now Pakistan) divided tribal units as well.
The Treaty estalishing the Line expired in the 1980's, and has not been renegotiated. Pakistan unofficially wants a good deal of Afghanistan for strategic depth. This is another problem.
Posted by: Rhod at March 6, 2007 06:59 AM
Posted by: Freedom1 at March 6, 2007 09:34 PM
Order Matt and Mark's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble
We would win Afganistan if the cuffs were taken off our troops.
So willingly???
At a time when record numbers of troops are facing charges for not reporting for duty to be sent back to Iraq and Afghanistan?
Long tours of duty in dangerous places, followed by cuts in care when they get back and doubt as to the legitimacy of their deployment - no, my friend, they go where they're told because of the consequences of refusing, but more and more troops are less and less willing to be sacrificed on the altar of money and oil that the politicians have demanded.
When they get there they do the best they can. Sgt. Rafferty would not be alone in the comeradery that troops feel when they're vulnerable and under fire; they stick together. But please don't disgrace this man's hard work and sacrifice by suggesting that the illegal occupation (which is now the term secretary of state Rice has put on the occupation of Iraq, given that she compares it to the occupation of Germany after WWII) of Iraq and the botched mission of Afghanistan are somehow all made better because the troops act selflessly before they die!
Whisperwolf, I'm a liberal, and have to say that 90% of your post is garbage. Stop drinking the Koolaid man.
We would win Afganistan if the cuffs were taken off our troops.
Posted by: Darth Malice at March 5, 2007 08:40 AM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I totally agree with the above! They are barely allowed to do their job!
My husband has served 2 tours there. I have friends who are there NOW and have been there.
Regardless of what the left "thinks" they know. There is MUCH much work going on over there. I know this as FACT. Botched mission? WTF are you talking about? You have no clue what you are talking about!
do you have a link to the "record numbers of troops are facing charges for not reporting for duty to be sent back to Iraq and Afghanistan" comment to support your statement? And if you do some digging, you'll find that the majority of soldiers do not care about the politics of war. Or the politicains involved.
Afganistan was a botched mission?
speaking as a gulf 1 vet, I've always felt that Afganistan & the tribal regions of Pakistan ARE the central front on the WOT.
this is where we'll destroy UBL & AQ, not Iraq.
lieutenant wannabe JFK was correct (likely by accident) that the Iraq invasion is a distraction.
still we just can't unass the AO like some want but we do need an endgame.
"Botched mission? WTF are you talking about? You have no clue what you are talking about!"
I'm talking about taking a perfectly straightforward military mission and turning it into a nightmare. I'm talking about not giving troops enough equipment and support to do the job. I'm talking about changing the goalposts to keep troops there longer, changing the definition of "victory" to make sure it never comes. Lastly I'm talking about shredding the social support system for troops who return home fit, and utterly destroying it for those who return home crippled.
Yes, there's a lot of work going on there - the troops try their hardest to do their jobs despite the politicians moving the goalposts all the time... but these latest incidents in Afghanistan are just the fuse for a very angry people who only see the troops and don't realise that a lot don't think there's any need for them to even BE there any more.
Whisperwolf:
I have a personal connection to the event mentioned; my son, who is returning to Bragg on 3/10 was with the 37th Airborne Combat Engineers, in the mortar/rocket attack that killed Sgt Rafferty. There were several others wounded in the 37th over the course of a very dangerous and active year, but no deaths.
I have another son in Baghdad with the 101st, and another, formerly with the 101st and currently applying for SF, returned two months ago to Campbell, but is currently at Bragg. I have some perspective on both wars. If my sons disagree with you, are they delusional, ignorant, or simply stupid?
You second post is entirely without merit, and your first is confusing, to say the least. What evidence do you have for any of your claims? Are you former military?
Whisperwolf:
One of my sons was with the 37th AirborneCombat Engineers in the mortar/rocket attack that killed Sgt Rafferty. Over the course of a very dangerous year, the 37th took several casualties at FOB Sharana and nearby, but no deaths. As far as I know, no one was wounded at KKC. They all be home within a week.
I have another son with the 101st in Baghdad, and another, formerly of the 101st, returned to Campbell two months ago. A Cav Scout, and Ranger qualified, he's now at Bragg, hoping to be accepted into SF.
You second post is entirely without merit, and your first is confusing, to say the least. For it to be true, my sons are either delusional, ignorant, blind followers, or simply stupid.
What's the evidence for your claims. Are your former military; have you served in either of these theatres?
Correction: The 37th took casualties but no deaths other than Sgt. Rafferty's.
Nevermind the facts. Whisperwolf says that it's botched, because that's what the MSM propaganda mills tell him, and his mind is theirs. They own him.
That being said, let me offer up that it much more difficult for a country with self-imposed restrictions like a democratic form of government or participation in (and actual conscious abidance of resolutions set by) bodies like the UN or observance of the Geneva conventions. I'm not saying that any of those things are wrong, but it is a MUCH slower process to win the hearts and minds of a people than, say, what Russia did in Chechnya. Combine that with a TV dinner mentality back home, and you have political disaster.
What we'er fighting for in Afghanistan and Iraq IS just and right. We ARE also winning there. It IS taking a long time. However, with patience and fortitude, we will make a change for the better over in that region.
Whisperwolf:
You have no idea what you are spewing. Please stop posting, because you are posting nothing but false opinions.
We would win Afghanistan if the cuffs were taken off our troops.
Posted by: Darth Malice at March 5, 2007 08:40 AM
Don't be blaming this on Democrats. Democrats were all for making the place into a lake if need be after 911. Cuffs have been placed on our war on terror troops because most of the equipment needed to fight a successful campaign in Afghanistan is being picked clean sitting in the middle of an Iraqi Civil war.
Post such, as these, hiding behind the troops to make attacks on Democrats, are becoming pathetic. Don’t even one of you necons have even one opinion as to what is happening to our wounded in the VA system. I can hardly find a thread on b4b concerning the subject. For six years Republicans and neocons controlled all branches of government. Republicans controlled all committees and investigative topics. Democrats were forced to the basement. In less than three months of Democratic control the Republican filth is rising to the top. The Neocon cry of support our troops is starting to sound like white noise. Some of these troops will require our support for their entire lives. Republicans just don’t have the stomach for this type of long term commitment.
Apologies for the double posts about the 37th. Typekey burps.
I would agree that the Afghan operation has taken second place to Iraq, and the springtime might be a problem.
Whisperwolf posts: "record numbers of troops are facing charges for not reporting for duty to be sent back to Iraq and Afghanistan"
OK - how many? A number please. What percentage is that? Compare to similar statistics from what conflicts?
The Taliban is in many ways similar to the KKK that arose in the south after the War Between the States. Hatred, bigotry, rage, and a very unhealthy dose of ignorance. Does anyone think I'm off on this?
It seems to me that that area is made up of many ignorant people (and I intend that mean uneducated) with very good "mountain" skills who have been raised by a controlling religious organization that is only slightly less ignorant. They are ruthless killers, just as the Klan was ruthless. But, it seems to me that they are even worse. They treat their own people - especially women atrociously. They indiscriminately kill men, women, and children. And they are often willing to kill themselves in order to kill others. It is a really really messed up culture.
We have been up against fanatics before. The Marines had to flame cave after cave and close them up with explosives. Do we need to get viscous like that again?
I'd like to point out what should be obvious to everyone. The War in Afghanistan is an Afghani Civil War. The Taliban are Afghanis. The Karzai government is Afghani. Afghanis are fighting Afghanis.
In fact, Afghanistan was in the midst of a Civil War before the US declared war on it, three weeks after 9/11. The Afghanistan Northern Alliance was fighting a war against the Afghanistan Taliban. Today, the war in Afghanistan is between Afghanistan's Karzai government/US allies vs. the Afghanistan Taliban/Al Qaeda terrorists.
For those who want to run from Iraq on the basis that Iraq is in the midst of a Civil War, logic suggests that the same reasoning/course of action would also have to apply to Afghanistan's Civil War.
P.S. Thank you Charles Krauthammer for pointing this obvious fact out to me. (It just never occurred to me. I don't know why.)
Freedom1:
The irrational Durand Line drawn by the Brits in the 1890's to divide the unbeatable Afghans from India (and, then West, Pakistan, now Pakistan) divided tribal units as well.
The Treaty estalishing the Line expired in the 1980's, and has not been renegotiated. Pakistan unofficially wants a good deal of Afghanistan for strategic depth. This is another problem.
Good point, Rhod.