Day 72

Mom – Day 72

The bounty on the heads of our American soldiers really worries me. Do you know what you can do with a thousand dollars in Afghanistan, or the six thousand for a vehicle? I just read Dal’s post so I am repeating a lot of what he said but I don’t care, I just can’t get it out of my mind. The last time I spoke to Zach the television was on mute and there flashing before my eyes was this news (although I had read it on the Internet already). I decided not to say anything to Zach and I really don’t know what he knows about this if anything. I do think that he will eventually find out about it because word does eventually get around. As it is, this past summer has been horrible with respect to all of the casualties.

Zach is so ready to finish up and do some normal things and meet up with some girls☺ The numbers are getting smaller!

I love you Zach
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Day 73 Dad

Well the wonderful peaceful intentioned government of Iran is offering $1000 for each American killed by the taliban and $5000 for each vehicle destroyed. Additionally, the wonderful peace loving Iranians kicked out several International Atomic Energy Inspectors for asking questions and inquiring about some tests and experiments being run outside the scope of the production of power. Nothing to worry about though. RIGHT??

Furthermore the Iranians are holding and torturing a woman suspected of adultery, and now possibly in the murder of her husband, of course no proof but then none is needed. This woman was given 99 lashes because a newspaper in Britain I believe it was the London Times showed pictures of her with out her head scarf. Turns out it was not her but then we can't take back the lashes can we? Maybe Ahmendinazad should get some lashes for impersonating a human being? She is awaiting a sentence of death by stoning as soon as Ramadan is over. Unbelievable!!!

I am being convinced that the difference in culture and the mentality is too far different for there ever to be meaningful relations with these countries. I just don't get why so many want to placate these thugs.

If my son was not involved via the military I would only say that they can all just kill each other and go to hell. It is harsh but it is how I feel. But the thugs in charge will not leave us alone, they will push. How far will we bend??

Zach you are my hero, you are superman and I love you with all my heart!

Day 74 Dad

We tried to reach Zach several times over the weekend. Today we were finally able to talk to him. He is so ready to leave and believes he only has about 3 weeks or so out in the Combat out post. That is a small outpost that the army uses to conduct missions from and is kind of out by itself. He is been there for most of the summer. He also said most of the time he has left will be out in the field. He will be glad when his tour comes to an end and so will his parents.

Today we had a nice ride looking for moose and just sightseeing. It was nice and I had football practice this evening. I took Zach's jeep because it is good to run plus I feel closer to Zach when I drive it and I need to feel close to him.

You are superman, I love you so much Zach.

Day 76

Mom – Day 76

Today’s entry will be from Facebook. We couldn’t get through to Zach today to speak to him but we noticed that he did have the opportunity to go on Facebook today. He hasn’t been on Facebook for a long long time (a couple of months). Dal posted a comment about the causalities that the 173rd suffered the other day and Zach posted the following:
“Yeah it inverted the blast hull of the MATV. It was extremely small IED too. The MATV are the new version of the MRAP. These are the trucks we use. The MATV's are completely replacing the MRAPS. These MATV's have been known to be a lot weaker then expected and weaker then the MRAP. However despite this they are fielding only MATV's now because that’s the new contract....”

I love you Zach
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Day 77

Mom – Day 77

The first football game for our school is today. I don’t particularly enjoy football, nor do I really understand it but I tend to go to most of the games. Football season, ski season and lacrosse season make me think a lot of Dal and Zach. Although Zach and Dal talk and watch almost every sport, these sports are events that I seem to attend at the High School level. It gives me an opportunity to be part of a bond (sports) that I would not otherwise be part of. At the High School when the kids play these sports, they are so excited and emotional about it – as if it were the most important thing in the world. There is a sense of innocence about it. There is also the feeling that one belongs to a community. Zach and Dal still email about sports here at the High School and I know that that is a time where that sense of innocence and community take over the thoughts of Zach’s everyday life in Afghanistan. Many times, one can take a look at sports and leisure activities to get a better understanding of one’s culture and way of thinking. Sports can say a lot about one’s character and what is important. – of course this is coming from someone that doesn’t watch sports but I try and pay attention to something!

I love you Zach and I miss you
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Day 78

Mom – Day 78

I haven’t written in the blog for a bit. The numbers of causalities don’t seem to end. I am just super antsy. Zach has been in black out because they lost men. I do know that Robert (my friend Mary’s son who is also in Afghanistan near Zach) lost some friends. My prayers go out to the families – I feel so bad for so many reasons.

I love you Zach
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Day 79 Dad

I saw a small snippet in the news today concerning the possible use of Chemical weapons against schools for girls and classes that are offered specifically for girls in Afghanistan. Blood tests taken from the victims involved indicate small quantities of agricultural compounds that can be used to produce the deadly VX gas. The taliban had threatened such activities earlier and it appears they are becoming proficient enough to practice. The entire situation continues to amaze me. Lisa has done extensive reading on the treatment of women in this society and now to read this was most disturbing. What is it that makes these people believe that they can just treat others with such disdain and contempt then murder based on their whacked out beliefs. Do they feel that the Koran is teaching them this, or is it misguided religious leaders or is that they just feel weak and need to exert power to make themselves feel better? I really don’t get it.

The bottom line is that the taliban is evil and they have no desire to see any improvements for average person in Afghanistan. More than likely Al Qaeda is very similar in structure and what they are trying to accomplish. I also took a look at PressTV which is the Iran english news agency basically a propaganda arm. They call America bullies who need to get beat up in Iran, I wonder how many Americans who hate us post on that website? I often wonder why people who hate what made this country great continue to live here - just move! I don't like the Hollywood elites who threaten to leave but never do why??? how about $$$$$, Alec Baldwin can just leave.

4 more Americans were killed today - are we worth their sacrifice, is our nation worth it, is Afghanistan and it's people worth it?

You are superman, I miss you Zach and I love you with all my heart!