Troops on the ground, Regional Command (South), ISAF, CENTCOM, and the Department of the Army. What do they have in common? They agree that the efforts by those to stigmatize the red crosses on MEDEVAC choppers is a non-issue.

In a recent letter to Senator Grassley posted on Michael Yon’s website, Secretary of the Army John McHugh confirmed what I’ve been educating readers on all along – that “Army MEDEVAC aircraft are manned with specially trained crewmembers and are uniquely equipped with medical equipment to provide critical in-flight medical care,” something that Pedros, Air Force and Marine CASEVAC choppers are NOT “uniquely equipped” to provide.

This issue started as an effort to arm MEDEVAC choppers, but the obvious realization that adding guns, ammo, and shooters to these assets would cause medical capabilities to suffer the conversation turned to a ridiculous argument that red crosses are looked at as some sort of homage to the Crusades or that they violated Geneva Conventions. Not sure which is more laughable.

U.S. Army Spc. Carl Jenson from Sierra Vista, Ariz., assigned to 3rd Platoon, The “All American” Dustoff, 82nd Airborne Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C., writes down the patient’s information while flying over Wardak province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2011.

The reason that the Air Force, Marines, British, and Army Special Operations Forces do not use the Red Crosses is because they do not have a dedicated MEDEVAC mission. This seems to constantly get lost in the translation as various people easily influenced by the gentle breeze of shifting winds of conspiracy contact Congress demanding answers to a riddle that’s already been solved. Or better yet, a riddle that didn’t need to be solved.

As Secretary McHugh rightly noted in his response to Senator Grassley, the truth is that these unarmed MEDEVAC choppers consistently “evacuate urgent point of injury patients to the appropriate level of care within one hour of receiving the MEDEVAC mission.” These choppers do not, as some would try to indicate, sit on the ground waiting for armed escort. As a matter of fact – and something specifically pointed out by ISAF in response to this issue a few months ago – even the mission that precipitated this irresponsible call to action didn’t wait on any armed escort.

U.S. Army Spc. Carl Jenson from Sierra Vista, Ariz., assigned to 3rd Platoon, The “All American” Dustoff, 82nd Airborne Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C., writes down the patient’s information while flying over Wardak province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2011.

Another misleading argument used by the crusaders trying to remove the red crosses from our MEDEVAC choppers is that such symbols are targeted by the enemy. Well, guess what. If the enemy targets our MEDEVAC choppers they are decimated by the accompanying Apache attack helicopter with its 30-millimeter chain gun, Hydra 70 rockets and hellfire missiles. Guess what else. These Apaches have 360 degree visibility of the surrounding area and a longer range than anything a Blackhawk MEDEVAC bird would be armed with. Any added defensive or offensive systems would only have a 90 degree effectiveness on each side and could hinder evacuations or cause additional injuries if the evacuation happens to be in the line of fire of enemy troops.

In reality, the vast majority of LZs for MEDEVAC birds are cleared by the time the chopper arrives. So the argument that every single MEDEVAC bird is somehow an enemy target is a farce. No one will argue that the enemy will target support assets, including medical personnel and equipment. But, the irresponsible suggestion that our MEDEVACs are under constant fire is simply inaccurate at best and an outright misrepresentation at worst. Even in the situation that precipitated this campaign to arm MEDEVACs and remove crosses, the LZ was completely secured with ABSOLUTELY ZERO direct fire enemy engagements.

No one is “passing the MEDEVAC” buck on this issue. The fact is that everyone except a select few individuals who are losing relevance are keeping this issue alive. It’s been all the way to the White House and throughout the DOD and combat theater and no changes are being made. That should say something quite profound to those that continue to fight this issue.

I want to do everything possible to keep my fellow brothers and sisters alive that I serve with here in Afghanistan. This is an issue on which few people involved disagree with me. I’ve got another meeting with a different MEDEVAC unit on Saturday, but I suspect to get the same response to this issue as I have with the two other teams I’ve contacted about it: “What are you talking about? The way we do things is just fine. Adding weapons would take up needed space and prevent mass casualty evacuation that we’re equipped for.”

U.S. Army Capt. Adam Ellington from Cedar City, Utah, assigned to 3rd Platoon, The “All American” Dustoff, 82nd Airborne Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C., finishes shutting down his UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, Forward Operating Base Shank, Logar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2011.

And with that, I’m done. I’ve said all there is to say.

As I write this, the majority of Americans are tucked safely into bed in anticipation of the next day’s food and festivities. Here in Afghanistan, Soldiers are beginning to wake up. Breakfast is just being served and others are out exercising. I want to take a moment and just tell you what I’m thankful for this year.

First and foremost, I’m thankful for a forgiving God. I’m thankful for the atonement of his Son, Jesus Christ, that made it possible for me to live again in spite of my sins and shortcomings. Though many, I have been provided with opportunity and grace through humility and repentance.

I’m thankful for my life. As some of you know, I had a close call last year and the past 18 months have been rebuilding and strengthening my mental and emotional well-being. It’s been a rough journey for me and especially my family. Which leads me to my next thanksgiving.

I would not be here without family. Dealing with me has not been easy the past few years. Nothing hurts me more down to the core than to know that something I have done causes my family to wonder if it is worth it or if they are capable of dealing with it. My wife, Emily, has been my stalwart ally in this fight against mental demons she couldn’t see. She’s had to endure her husband disappearing and sleeping in his car. She’s had to endure sleepless nights and angry days. Yet, though it all, she was my backbone; my cheerleader. She was there to tell what I needed to hear. She was there to hold me accountable. She was there to give me reason to live. She is my rock, my love, my everything. I am so thankful that a beautiful, young woman gave this long-haired punk kid a chance. I love her more today than I have ever loved her or anything. She completes me; makes me feel like in all the chaos of life there is something sweet, innocent, kind, generous, and loving on this earth.

I’m thankful for my awesome kids. As I watch them grow without me, I’m in awe at the wonderful things Emily and I have created. They are smart, outgoing, kind, and just the greatest kids. While I could do without some of the attitudes, I’m so thankful that they are in my life and a part of my family. They make me proud to be a father every day just seeing them smile and make us laugh.

I’m thankful for the troops I have the honor of serving beside. While you’re reading this in the comfort and safety of your home (unless you live in Chicago), there are troops outside the wire right now sleeping on stiff cots, in the dirt, on the roof of a house, or hunkered down in some rocks on a mountainside freezing their tuckus off. While I sit in the comfort of my air conditioned “chu,” there are troops patrolling the streets, blowing up IEDs, and clearing villages of murderers. There is no personal space, no personal time, and no personal clothes. Every hour of their day is accounted for, but they do it for something they’re deeply thankful for. And I’m thankful they’re out there ensuring my safety in here as well.

Our great country. I am thankful for the United States of America. I’m so appreciative that I am privileged to serve the greatest country on earth. In spite of our shortcomings, America is a nation deeply embedded in the ideals of liberty, charity, and community. While some – myself included – may think that those ideals are slipping from our grasp, rest assured that there are those willing to give their lives for its assurance. I’m grateful that I serve a country that does so much good at home and abroad.

Finally, I’m thankful for my friends – all of YOU. One of these days someone will convince what I’ve done to deserve such support, love, and devotion. I am constantly in awe of the people I’ve been privileged to meet and become friends with over the years through my writing. I’m thankful for the opportunities it has presented to me. I’ve seen some awesome things and met some awesome people. Some of you I’ve never even “met” but would drop everything in an instant to be there for you. Thank you for just being there.

I promise I’ll post pictures later of the Thanksgiving meal.

P.S. Heh. I just noticed I’ve been posting a lot of silhouette photos lately. Sorry about that.

The comment was made in an email in response to a campus effort to collect items for care packages for troops in combat zones.

One would think that someone teaching at a law school would be smart enough to understand reality, but our liberal teachers of higher education seem to be lacking any understanding of how the military works. We go where the country sends us and have no choice in the matter. In spite of that fact, Professor Michael Avery thinks that any compassion for troops in combat is “not particularly rational in today’s world.”

So, exactly when would being sympathetic to troops be “rational,” Michael?

It’s clear that Michael Avery is not just a troop hater, but an America hater. He even complained about a large United States flag hanging in the atrium of the university, saying it is “not a politically neutral act.”

These people are teaching our children, folks. If I were paying nearly six figures to send one of my children to this school, you better believe it wouldn’t be for long. Michael Avery is free to have those opinion. I will never support any policy that requires him to apologize or bars him from making these kinds of statements. But, those kinds of statements would definitely affect where I choose to spend my hard-earned money, for sure.

Soldiers’ Angels, one of the leading non-profit organizations sending “shameful” care packages to troops, has released an open letter to Michael Avery:

Dear Professor Avery,

We at Soldiers’ Angels highly believe in the value of higher education, and we respect teachers for their efforts to mold the minds and characters of young adults. We also believe in and value freedom of speech and the ability of those teachers to share their opinions, as freedom of speech is one of those Constitutional freedoms that soldiers swear to defend and protect.

With the above in mind, we are taking the strongest possible stand AGAINST your recent writings on the subject of American soldiers. Calling the American military “murderers” and trying to discourage American volunteers from sending supplies to encourage their deployed troops borders on treason–to damage morale and stop needed care packages from going to the “boots on the ground” is tantamount to aiding and abetting the enemy they are fighting.

On a daily basis, Soldiers’ Angels hears from deployed service members under tremendous strain whose hearts and minds are soothed by receiving packages and letters from Americans who see them as individuals separate from the policy decisions they are required to enforce as instruments of war. To encourage someone to remove that support makes a political statement at the expense of very young, individual, upstanding Americans who are simply doing a lawful job.

Soldiers’ Angels will not stand idly by as individual soldiers are used as pawns in a political argument, torn down and attacked for simple political or personal gain. What is “shameful” is not that care packages are sent to service members who volunteered, but that brilliant minds apparently don’t understand that America’s military provides security and safety, saving far more lives than are taken. It is “shameful” that something as uninformed as your email is given validity in any quarter. Service members pride themselves in being part of the greater good and entering into the most valued of contracts, a social contract with the citizens of the United States; A gesture of support for these volunteers is not shameful, but is touching and inspiring, a much-needed motivator to continue to serve most honorably.

We hope from our hearts that you will point your politics at the political leaders themselves and not the people who are just doing their sworn duty. We strenuously request you retract your statements and help us to support those who have taken oaths to defend the Constitution and are honoring the vows they have made in following the lawful orders of their Commander in Chief.

Sincerely,

Patti Patton-Bader, Founder and CEO
Toby J Nunn, Executive Officer
Soldiers’ Angels

angels@soldiersangels.org

If you’d like to prove Michael Avery wrong and support Soldiers’ Angels, please text “Soldiers” to 20222 and $5 will be donated to them automatically from your phone bill. Or you can visit their website to learn about other ways to donate.

There is an agenda afoot to discredit the Army’s policies with regards to arming our MEDEVAC helicopters and removing the red crosses that identify medical aircraft with a red cross on a white background according to Geneva Conventions that the United States is a signatory.

(1) Display the distinctive flag of the Geneva Conventions (red cross on a white background) over the unit/facility and in other places on the unit/facility as necessary to adequately identify it. (The other emblem recognized by terms of the Geneva Conventions is the red crescent. Emblems not recognized by the Geneva Conventions but used by other countries, such as the red shield of David by Israel, should also be respected.)
(2) Mark with the distinctive Geneva emblem (red cross on a white background).

As a supporting argument, the “writer” uses the Marine Corps and Air Force as reasoning to remove markings, saying those services “already use armed helicopters to evacuate wounded.”

However, just a few months ago, Marine Corps News published the following:

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) moved a detachment of helicopters from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 to Forward Operating Base Edinburgh so that air ambulances and the attack helicopters that support them could be at the same place, at the same time, when they’re needed most.

“I can get medevac helicopters from here to most locations in under 10 minutes,” explained Redmond, who is deployed to Afghanistan with Marine Air Control Squadron 2.

Before aircraft were moved to the forward operating base, medical evacuations would have to wait for support from Camp Bastion. Redmond said the flight from Camp Bastion could sometimes take up to 30 minutes.

But, wait a minute. Why would the Marine Corps need to move attack helicopters to protect “armed” MEDEVAC choppers? Probably because the Marine Corps doesn’t arm their own MEDEVAC choppers. As a matter of fact, The Marine Corps does not have dedicated CASEVAC aircraft. Any of its aircraft can be utilized as a “lift of opportunity” upon completion of its primary mission.

So, if the Marine Corps is using armed helicopters to evacuate troops, it’s because that is all they have. The Corps even uses the Army’s Medical Evacuation in a Theater of Operation Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures Field Manual 8-10-6.

The truth is that the Marine Corps and Air Force have Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) aircraft, which are a completely different animal than MEDEVAC. The Air Force is the lead agency responsible for this mission much like the Army is the lead agency for MEDEVAC.

Now, think about this realistically. How many Air Force personnel actually operate out in FOBs away from medical facilities? Not many; mainly the JTACs. The rest are based on larger FOBs where the airframes and air operations take place. So, the Air Force has no need for a dedicated MEDEVAC air platform because the possibility that they will be deployed without Army units is slim to none. Their choppers, HH-60 Pave Hawk, are used primarily for CSAR missions, but can also provide limited MEDEVAC support.

Likewise, the Marine Corps is a much smaller and more mobile force. They specialize in killing people and portraying the might of the United States without prejudice. They rely on largely on support from the Army as well in evacuating its casualties. The Marine Corps views CSAR as an implied tasking as opposed to an actual mission and operates its aircraft accordingly.

So, here’s a challenge to readers: show me a photograph of a dedicated Marine Corps or Air Force MEDEVAC or CASEVAC helicopter that is armed! Being around combat doesn’t make one an expert in combat. USAF and Marine Corps CSARs are armed because they are mainly tasked as downed pilot recovery, sometimes shooting bad guys that are also trying to recover a downed coalition pilot. US Army medevac is tasked with the medical mission of treating the wounded on the battlefield & is marked according to the Geneva Convention. 2 seperate functions. I’m not even going to respond to the British parallel because we’re the United States, not Great Britain.

Please write to your Congressmen and Senators and ask them to pass a resolution recognizing the hard work and dedication of our combat MEDEVAC personnel and their persistent, professional, and competent efforts to care for our wounded. Let them know what a great job these troops are doing with their 99% survival rate.

Your support is absolutely NOT necessary to my writing. Weekly or monthly recurring ‘subscription’ based support would only serve to allow me to buy more songs on iTunes or Killer Bunnies cards from Amazon. However, if you absolutely MUST waste your money, you can make recurring and one-time donations through PayPal and I promise to spend your money any way I see fit.

This story features how Afghan Airmen and Soldiers secure a local area in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, with an interview of my Brigade Commander, COL. Gary Johnson – Commander, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. Produced by SSgt. Jose Rodriquez and hosted by SSgt. Melissa Hay. It’s a quick story, but one nonetheless.

In response to a typical post-disembed Michael Yon rant, ISAF released the following statement:

Michael Yon’s blog article of October 12, “Red Air: America’s Medevac Failure,” contains numerous omissions of key information and errors in fact.

For starters, Yon says the Army lacks the political will to configure its MEDEVAC aircraft like the Air Force’s Combat Search and Rescue “Pedros” (Pedros are armed and do not have the red cross markings on the side of the aircraft). Yon is comparing apples to oranges. The primary mission of the Pedros is to rescue downed aircrews and other isolated personnel; their secondary mission is to support special operations forces. Both of these missions require them to be armed. If available, Pedros do also perform MEDEVAC missions – again, if available. Pedros can’t carry as many litter patients as the Army Dustoffs and there are seven times the numbers of Dustoff helicopters compared to Pedros in
Afghanistan. Yon never mentions these critical points.

Yon’s point that the Army should arm and remove the red cross from its MEDEVAC aircraft fails to acknowledge larger issues. Doing so would place the US outside its commitment to conducting MEDEVACs under the guidelines of the Geneva Conventions and moral norm for how Western nations identify their aircraft dedicated to medical evacuation.

Furthermore, the Pedro’s 7.62 mm or .50 cal. machine gun does provide a level of self-protection but it is not on the level of an accompanying AH-64 Apache carrying 30mm cannon and rockets. The Apache escorts give the MEDEVAC aircraft a much higher level of firepower and protection; something our Soldiers take confidence from when scrambling under fire to evacuate wounded comrades.

As for factual inaccuracies, Yon states that it took 65 minutes to evacuate the Soldier who subsequently died. Not true, the official operational logs show that the mission was wheels down (WD) at the medical treatment facility in 59 minutes; and the MEDEVAC aircraft didn’t come from Kandahar, the Dustoff was launched from nearby FOB Pasab and linked up with its armed Apache escort from Kandahar enroute to the Point of Injury (POI). The fact is that despite extended distances and enemy forces in the area, this evacuation was accomplished under the US standard of one hour. Of the 2240 MEDEVAC missions conducted in the RC-S area of operations since 1 Nov 2010 only 1.5% were Out of Standard and 0% of those were assessed to having a clinical impact on the patient.

Yon also states that commanders on the ground have no discretion to call for a Pedro over an Army medevac – an insinuation that they would if given the choice. Yon fails to mention that all requests for air evacuation are called into a central point in each Regional Command called a Patient Evacuation Coordination Cell (PECC). The PECC receives a MEDEVAC request, then determines the quickest way to get the Category A (CAT A) casualty from the Point of Injury (POI) to a Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) that can provide the appropriate level of medical care for the injuries suffered. The ground force commander does not have the capacity to make this call while in the close fight. The system is designed to allow for the most efficient response across the battle space with the assets of not only our MEDEVAC aircraft, but all rotary wing assets. Commanders understand the requirement for rapid evacuation of our wounded Soldiers and every effort is made to execute the MEDEVAC mission safely and effectively. The highest survival rates in the history of armed conflict bears out this fact. In the RC-S area of operations there have been 2240 MEDEVAC missions since 1 Nov 2010 with a 98% survival rate.

Michael Yon’s omissions of key information and factual errors have done a disservice to our Soldiers and all those who care about them. These inaccuracies may unnecessarily cause some to doubt the US medical evacuation system in Afghanistan. Further, it could undermine Soldier confidence in what should most certainly be described as the world’s finest battlefield evacuation system.

For those of you unaware, these armored Rhino buses are tough monsters. It takes a serious punch to destroy one of those AND kill its occupants. If you followed the Saddam trials a few years back, you may recall what these buses look like. They were used to transport Saddam and his trial team between his cell and the courthouse. If not, here’s an example of one after being attacked (not from this story):

In related news that isn’t being reported, our FOB here in Kandahar came under rocket attack this morning around 0422. Insurgents launched 4 rocket attacks against us. It would have been a rude awakening had I been asleep. As a matter of fact, I was literally about to step outside and take a shower. Instead, I had to step into a bunker, where I remained for the next hour waiting for the end. Two attacks were launched at 0422 and two at 0443. By 0530, the all clear was sounded.

The Taliban is getting bold. I think this is related to a number of issues.

The first is that President Karzai recently stated in an interview with Pakistani television that if the United States ever went to war with Pakistan, Afghanistan would side with the Pakistanis.

“If fighting starts between Pakistan and the U.S., we are beside Pakistan,” Karzai said. “If Pakistan is attacked and the people of Pakistan need Afghanistan’s help, Afghanistan will be there with you.”

Because the Taliban is apparently supported by the Pakistanis, this undoubtedly bolsters Taliban insurgents.

The second is the drawdown currently taking place here. The Taliban sense weakness and a lack of will in our government. Knowing that their main threat will soon be gone has them jockeying for power.

Both of these issues will clearly affect us troops left behind to deal with it. One good point is that we successfully removed over two and a half tons of explosive material recently from the streets, which will at least put a dent in insurgents’ ability to make more of these large bombs.

I met OP President and Found Mary Hacker back in 2006 or 2007 one Friday Night at Walter Reed. She was there taking care of our wounded troops and we ended up having her as a guest on the You Served Radio Show and Podcast.

According to their website,

Operation Pinecone was officially launched in November 2005, while founder, Mary Hacker, and her husband were preparing holiday packages to be shipped to the soldiers stationed in Iraq. The name Operation Pinecone originated when Mary decided to include a little symbol from home for the holidays. Pine cones are found in nearly every state in America. Thus, a pine cone continues to be lovingly placed in each package that is shipped to our beloved heroes!

The organization has sent many boxes to me which I have disbursed to the troops with which I come into contact. We set up a common table in one of our offices for troops that are coming through to grab what they need from care packages sent from people and organizations. OP has a small network of NCOICs and Officers that do that as well.

As is the case with many small non-profits during tough economic times, OP has experienced a drop in personal donations and volunteers. They are based in South Riding, Virginia and consist of all volunteers who assemble gift and care packages for service members primarily stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you are able to donate either time or money to this great organization, please contact my good friend Mary Hacker. She’s a true sweetheart and really works hard to take care of us away from our families. You can contact her through her website or Facebook page.

She didn’t ask me to do this, so I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds in asking for help on her behalf. Mary, just let me know if I did.

That’s right – I woke up today to an odd smell; and it wasn’t the Poo Pond. Initially it smelled like wet dog, but apparently that’s what Afghanistan smells like after the first rain.

Walking outside my chu, I noticed odd little puddles of wetness on the ground and thought perhaps the Taliban was broke and had launched a water balloon assault overnight. Later this morning, there was a strange sound overhead and I went outside to find a steady rain falling. The temperature was a comfortable upper 70s with a light breeze.

This is normal for October, when Afghanistan begins to see a steady increase in rainfall. From October through April, the amount of rain in Afghanistan steadily increases each month. I didn’t think it was possible after being here two months with nothing but mostly clear skies and consistently hot temperatures. Historically, September is the driest month of the year for the nation.

I’m looking forward to seeing the rain throughout the year, especially coming from Texas where we haven’t really had any rain in quite a while. My wife said it has been raining a little the past few days, but nothing to write to Afghanistan about.

Random thought: I wonder if the rainfall ever causes the Poo Pond to overflow. As I type this, the rain is falling again.

I met with my team today to go over some goals for the next few months as we get busier with folks coming and going on R&R (rest and recuperation) leave. Once that starts dying down, we’ll then be busy with redeployment operations (not for awhile).

Because we never really need to leave the FOB, I think it’s important that we use our time here wisely. I’ve encouraged them to sign up for some college courses that they can take in the evenings. Since our schedules are so fluid, I suggested online courses that meet their individual missions. We’re a tight knit team and can cover down on each others’ work if it conflicts with a class. This weekend I will complete two classes and I begin an upper level biology course on the 25th that goes through December. I’ll decide whether or not to do one more semester at that point. Ahh, the beauty of online college, though it doesn’t leave much time for sleeping.

It’s kind of funny thinking how different this deployment is from my last. The last time I was deployed, I was a Staff Sergeant and led a very successful HUMINT team. The mission kept me out on the streets, interacting with the Iraqi people, and doing the important work of finding the bad guys.

Once I made Master Sergeant, my mission became more of a support and management role. I coordinate and deconflict the many missions for which my team is responsible. I miss not having the opportunity to go out with the teams like I used to, but it is what it is when you get to this level. I take pride in knowing that at least I can support the guys that DO go outside the wire. Someone has to arrange transportation of replacement personnel and equipment. Of course, I knew that I wouldn’t be leaving the FOB even before I deployed (as I wrote here). And you know what? I’m perfectly content with my contribution to the war effort. And so is my wife!

What I’ve found, though, is that being stuck within the gates of the FOB does not necessarily mean that I am safer here. In the two months that I’ve been here, we have had 58 rocket attacks and one VBIED launched against us. A few of these have landed within 150 meters of my location at the time. As a matter of fact, had I been down with the Brigade on their FOB, I probably would have been much safer! “Safety” is definitely a relative term in a combat zone.

The constant rocket attacks remind even us “fobbits” that we are still in a war zone. We still carry our weapons and ammo everywhere we go. While unsuccessful, the Taliban even attempted a ground attack against Kandahar Airfield last year. While I won’t say exactly where I’m located, our office is within small arms distance and sight from the perimeter fence. Needless to say, we will not be getting too comfortable until we’re safely back on Texas soil next summer.

In the military, we like to poke a lot of fun at us “fobbits.” I like to do it, too. The truth is that I’m proud to serve alongside these troops who are sacrificing time away from their lives, their families, and their hobbies to serve their country in whatever capacity they are called to. These Soldiers are top-notch and I’m honored to serve alongside them. Nothing and no one can take away their service and sacrifice regardless of where and how they serve in this war.

As I was reading my scriptures last night, I came upon some good advice that I’m heeding:

“Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.” Jacob 3:1, Book of Mormon

I am clear in conscience and focused on my mission. I look forward to going home next summer after serving with honor in another combat zone and doing my part to answer the call my country has given to me. “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:8, Old Testament.