Sunday, February 22, 2009

Where are the other 20?

By TOM HARRIS KVUE News

Forty-Two Texas National Guard soldiers left Central Texas Monday on their way to Afghanistan, and they have a rather unique task ahead of them.
They will try to create peace by teaching farmers to be more self-sufficient.
Lt. General Charles Rodriguez says it's going to be a very difficult job. "They are going into a country that is very exotic and very backward, especially in the area of agriculture."
"We just kind of wait for his phone calls and hope that everything is going OK while he is there," said Robin Morrison, military spouse.
The military says the key to this mission is to teach the people of Afghanistan to be self-sufficient, without turning to the insurgents for help.
"We need to show the people that they can become more self-sufficient and they need to work with each other rather than breaking off into factions and looking for help outside from the Taliban or al-Qaeda," said Colonel Dan Harris.
Hope Dean is eight months pregnant and is saying goodbye to her husband Chris who she won't see again for at least a year. She says it's going to be tough.
"He is not going to be there with me to help me through the labor and to be there to help me take care of the baby," Dean said.
Chris Dean wishes he could be there for his wife and family. "To not be able to be there whenever my child is born is a pretty difficult thing," he said.
Most of the troops leaving on Monday are from Camp Mabry. They will be stationed in Afghanistan for at least a year.
"Well there are actually 62 of us the 20 not talked about by KVUE NEWS, me and 19 others are the sec-for. are job is to ensure that the taliban and or al-Qaeda fighters stay out of the picture i don't no why people don't like talking about us, like we are the unwanted bastard child. but that's life anyways just thought I'd let everyone know what it is I'll be doing i don't think I'll be able to post again in till i get in country so yeah take care every one