We continue to publish Belinda's blog through email format to maintain the privacy and security of our soldiers overseas. Please subscribe to our blog at alwaysartstudio@hotmail.com. Updates are weekly and sent blind carbon-copy to your email to maintain your email privacy.
The following is a link that I was forwarded. Heartbreaking ...but please view it and share. It is from the perspective of a Canadian family who lost their loved one, and their drive on the Highway of Heroes to take the fallen soldier home...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Emails on Afghanistan
Hello All,
There has been a lapse in communication regarding the blog while I waited to hear the results of something that Belinda had passed on to me. There has been a request put out that anything related to Afghanistan not be posted on the Internet, but rather, confined to email and other more non-public venues. While we always worked to keep our blog heavily edited and non-revealing, there have been other incidences related to other blogs and Facebook-style venues where sensitive information could have been revealed, even if accidentally.
So in it's place, I am doing a weekly email-style blog for everyone interested in keeping up with life overseas and Belinda's experiences. Emails will be done in blind carbon copy or copy and paste, and kept confidential to protect the email addresses of everyone participating. Please send me you email to the address below and I will send on new updates! :)
To wrap up this blog with a final post:
Belinda's trip home was a great one, and she took much pleasure in even the smallest things like snacks and fruit, a bed with clean sheets, a shower...Upon returning overseas, she was to start taking a malaria medication called methoquin...but did not realize she had an allergy to it and the end result was a rash that looked like a severe case of chicken pox and 2 weeks of light duty while she recovered and had the old medication flushed out of her system and a new malaria medication used to combat malaria instead.
Parcels continue to arrive there for herself and her fellow soldiers and she sends a big thank you to all. They are a welcome surprise on a long hot day!
The month has been a brisk one for everyone there, and the heat is rising steadily with a recent temperature of 52 Celsius . there have been a few moves and changes, all for the better. Recent updates and experiences will be included in our new email blog. My thanks to all for keeping in touch through this way and Belinda and I look forward to continuing to share in our new venue.
My contact email for joining our email blog : alwaysartstudio@hotmail.com
Till next time,
Julie
There has been a lapse in communication regarding the blog while I waited to hear the results of something that Belinda had passed on to me. There has been a request put out that anything related to Afghanistan not be posted on the Internet, but rather, confined to email and other more non-public venues. While we always worked to keep our blog heavily edited and non-revealing, there have been other incidences related to other blogs and Facebook-style venues where sensitive information could have been revealed, even if accidentally.
So in it's place, I am doing a weekly email-style blog for everyone interested in keeping up with life overseas and Belinda's experiences. Emails will be done in blind carbon copy or copy and paste, and kept confidential to protect the email addresses of everyone participating. Please send me you email to the address below and I will send on new updates! :)
To wrap up this blog with a final post:
Belinda's trip home was a great one, and she took much pleasure in even the smallest things like snacks and fruit, a bed with clean sheets, a shower...Upon returning overseas, she was to start taking a malaria medication called methoquin...but did not realize she had an allergy to it and the end result was a rash that looked like a severe case of chicken pox and 2 weeks of light duty while she recovered and had the old medication flushed out of her system and a new malaria medication used to combat malaria instead.
Parcels continue to arrive there for herself and her fellow soldiers and she sends a big thank you to all. They are a welcome surprise on a long hot day!
The month has been a brisk one for everyone there, and the heat is rising steadily with a recent temperature of 52 Celsius . there have been a few moves and changes, all for the better. Recent updates and experiences will be included in our new email blog. My thanks to all for keeping in touch through this way and Belinda and I look forward to continuing to share in our new venue.
My contact email for joining our email blog : alwaysartstudio@hotmail.com
Till next time,
Julie
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Belinda's Home! :)
An exhausted and very tanned Belinda arrived home after what could best be described as a 'milk-run' flight and travel that spanned several days! She couldn`t be happier to be home and one of the first things she noted was how clean and fresh Canada smells...she could even detect the scent of freshly melted snow.
There is quite the time change between Afghanistan and here, with our days and nights being opposite of each other, so she is still trying to get onto Canadian time. Food is plentiful of course, so she is enjoying grazing on all of her favorite treats.
She is used to being burdened with the constant weight of her weapons, so she finds herself instinctively feeling for her pistol and the momentary surprise that it is not there. Little things like healthy pets and everyone wearing shoes, the wealth of our society, give her a moment to pause. It is like being on a different planet just to to be home and to walk about and not see missing teeth, matted hair, people who are heavily scarred, or cut and bleeding, with scabs and chronic infections, malnourished children and adults. The ever-present grit of sand and dust that colored everything in their environment.To see the casual good health of western society in her first days home is still a jolt of surprise.
The biggest absence that she has noticed but does not miss: the sounds of war... IED`s, mortar explosions and gunfire...
With her 24 hour day having been broken into 3 hour increments of work, sleep, work, leisure, work, work... she finds now at home she cannot sleep longer then 3 hours at a time. Belinda`s first moment sitting on her bed though was one of pure nirvana, to feel the softness of her mattress beneath her weight... something so small provided her the most immense pleasure.
I planned to step back from posting her blog while she is home so that she might share her own thoughts and experiences, but she has asked me to keep doing so alongside her own posts as she is battling a good case of fatigue that probably won`t get to entirely lift in the time that she is home.
There are many many pictures to share, but anything `revealing` of her location has had to be edited for obvious reasons, but we will share everything else that we can.
Belinda has mentioned repeatedly that she is appreciative to everyone that has come here to read about her travels and experiences. A heartfelt thanks to all!
Till next time,
Julie
There is quite the time change between Afghanistan and here, with our days and nights being opposite of each other, so she is still trying to get onto Canadian time. Food is plentiful of course, so she is enjoying grazing on all of her favorite treats.
She is used to being burdened with the constant weight of her weapons, so she finds herself instinctively feeling for her pistol and the momentary surprise that it is not there. Little things like healthy pets and everyone wearing shoes, the wealth of our society, give her a moment to pause. It is like being on a different planet just to to be home and to walk about and not see missing teeth, matted hair, people who are heavily scarred, or cut and bleeding, with scabs and chronic infections, malnourished children and adults. The ever-present grit of sand and dust that colored everything in their environment.To see the casual good health of western society in her first days home is still a jolt of surprise.
The biggest absence that she has noticed but does not miss: the sounds of war... IED`s, mortar explosions and gunfire...
With her 24 hour day having been broken into 3 hour increments of work, sleep, work, leisure, work, work... she finds now at home she cannot sleep longer then 3 hours at a time. Belinda`s first moment sitting on her bed though was one of pure nirvana, to feel the softness of her mattress beneath her weight... something so small provided her the most immense pleasure.
I planned to step back from posting her blog while she is home so that she might share her own thoughts and experiences, but she has asked me to keep doing so alongside her own posts as she is battling a good case of fatigue that probably won`t get to entirely lift in the time that she is home.
There are many many pictures to share, but anything `revealing` of her location has had to be edited for obvious reasons, but we will share everything else that we can.
Belinda has mentioned repeatedly that she is appreciative to everyone that has come here to read about her travels and experiences. A heartfelt thanks to all!
Till next time,
Julie
Monday, March 24, 2008
On leave already
Hey folks,
Looks like my Mom's done a good job of keeping this thing updated, so just a quick note.
I made it back after a lonnnnnnnnng adventure of airplanes, lost baggage and giant airports. (I'm not a fan of airplanes).
It's awesome to be able to shower and eat, and use a real toilet. Whenever I want. I didn't even realize how much I missed even the smell of Canada, till I stepped out of the airport. Mom had a good meal layed on and my bed made up for me, which was awesome.
Anyways, thanks to all you guys for all the support, it was nice to be able to read the blog comments and see people actually care.
Till next time,
Belinda.
Looks like my Mom's done a good job of keeping this thing updated, so just a quick note.
I made it back after a lonnnnnnnnng adventure of airplanes, lost baggage and giant airports. (I'm not a fan of airplanes).
It's awesome to be able to shower and eat, and use a real toilet. Whenever I want. I didn't even realize how much I missed even the smell of Canada, till I stepped out of the airport. Mom had a good meal layed on and my bed made up for me, which was awesome.
Anyways, thanks to all you guys for all the support, it was nice to be able to read the blog comments and see people actually care.
Till next time,
Belinda.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Close call...
A call from Belinda early this AM.
She had just started out onto her rest period but was upset to discover later that day that her post had some excitement (to put this carefully) within mere minutes of her departure. Everyone is okay thankfully...
There had been a sense of something pending, that build-up of tension... It is heart-palpitating to realize that mere minutes made the difference for her that day. And thank God they did. We are grateful that everyone came through this okay...
She had just started out onto her rest period but was upset to discover later that day that her post had some excitement (to put this carefully) within mere minutes of her departure. Everyone is okay thankfully...
There had been a sense of something pending, that build-up of tension... It is heart-palpitating to realize that mere minutes made the difference for her that day. And thank God they did. We are grateful that everyone came through this okay...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The first 2 letters arrive!
The first 2 letters from Belinda arrived. Just as we had thought, they take about a month to arrive. These letters are from her first days there... I am para-phrasing snippets of her experiences from her own words. Anything too graphic or that could compromise has been edited out for publishing on the web.
The first letter:
"So here I am in Afghanistan. There is so much to say, but so little we can say by phone...
We have had next to no sleep, but I'm getting more used to the country now. I was so tired and hot , I couldn't eat.
I have heard more gunfire and explosions then I ever wanted to. It is different when you know it is real. The drive out here was the scariest thing, there is something about knowing there is bombs everywhere.
It is such a different country though, I can't believe I get to see it in person. The country is beautiful, even the desert regions. The sky goes forever...the sunsets and sunrises are AMAZING. Sooo pretty I can't even put it into words. There is so much rubble though. Shot down, ripped apart airplanes, blown-up vehicles and buildings, garbage, dead animals. The streets were so crowded. I only saw 5 women huddled in a corner and they didn't look up from the ground when we passed.
Kids everywhere! The majority of them wave at you and give you a thumbs up, a few boys will wait till you pass and then flip you the finger, little buggers...ha ha.
It was surreal arriving at *******. A compound *** m by *** m . A canvas tent but we are building a sandbag wall around it. We have to poop in a bag then burn it in the fire pit. There is a bag we can fill with water and use to shower, but it doesn't work well, so we use baby wipes.
The Afghan Police seem pretty good. The commander shook my hand. They all stare at me while I work but won't make eye contact with me otherwise. They haven't been paid in 2 months. I have got to hand it to them, they are still doing the job with no pay, one got shot in the leg a month ago and is still here working.
Our interpreter is so funny. He lives with us. He let me see a picture of his wife but wouldn`t let the other guys see it. `Not for men!`He says, ha ha. He is from ****** but came without his family. He wants to immigrate to Canada one day. He wanted to go to Quebec but when we told him he would have to learn french, he decided he might want to go to Toronto instead. He is so excited he knows one person in Canada, he shows me their number in his little book. He is a sweet guy, always praying and studying so he can come to Canada.
The locals seem good. They will tell us if they are working in their fields at odd hours so we are not surprised.
It breaks my heart to see the kids playing in this. The main road is littered with IEDs and mines. ** kms are safe because we clear it daily. Local kids play all over the road, heard their sheep etc. I am always praying the kids don`t get hurt. I am getting to know their faces and often then same kids come everyday asking for stuff.
The conditions aside, the kids are like kids in Canada. I was watching them through binoculars and saw 2 kids steal a bike, then some old man came and chased them away, ha ha. It is crazy watching the kids here, they work so hard, all the afghans do. From 4 AM to 6-7 PM or later. The you see them doing irrigation at 2-3:30 AM. You see the kids play, but it is around their work doing farming and irrigation.
The desert looks typical to what you would see on TV, sand dunes and camels. A sandy oasis.
I will end this here and write more later ..."
Letter Number 2 -snipped
"A beautiful day in Afghanistan, ha ha. I am sitting in the sun right now ( yes , with sunscreen) working on my tan, ha ha.It is weird not being able to talk to you whenever I want or for as long as I want.
Our interpreter is fascinated watching me write with my left hand and the way I hold my pen. "Too too hard but beautiful, sir!" He calls all of us "sir", not sure why! He is sweet, the last 2 guys that were here before us, he bought them cigarettes with his own money. That's big considering he only owns one outfit.
There is always explosions and gunfire. We are constantly on edge, it gets very tiresome.
Gotta go on shift, I will write more later!"
And then :
"What a long sh*tty night that was. I don't even know where to start! Things are always broken or in bad shape. To top it off, the generator broke. Usually you don't need heat here but the past 2 nights it was -10, cold when you are sleeping in a tent!
I don't remember what it is like to have 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep... There was an 'incident' a few kms of here. You could hear machine guns and rockets, and see lots of smoke. No Canadians hurt.
In a way, you get used to the sounds of war, you expect to hear it. Anyways, it is almost my shift again, time to get lunch. Talk to you later!"
And then:
" This pen sucks! ( Ink keeps stopping)They are on their way to pick up our letters and re-supply us, so this last note is going to be rushed. Things are going better today. My shift was sooo long last night but I am done now. I have 2 shifts daily in the *****, then maintenance, then *******, and whatever else comes up. Sometimes it gets very busy...
PS: our generator was fixed today so now we have power and heat again! :)"
It took the letters a month to get here, but they were a joy to receive this week. Thanks to all who continue to drop by and keep touch with Belinda this way, it means alot.
Till next time,
Julie
The first letter:
"So here I am in Afghanistan. There is so much to say, but so little we can say by phone...
We have had next to no sleep, but I'm getting more used to the country now. I was so tired and hot , I couldn't eat.
I have heard more gunfire and explosions then I ever wanted to. It is different when you know it is real. The drive out here was the scariest thing, there is something about knowing there is bombs everywhere.
It is such a different country though, I can't believe I get to see it in person. The country is beautiful, even the desert regions. The sky goes forever...the sunsets and sunrises are AMAZING. Sooo pretty I can't even put it into words. There is so much rubble though. Shot down, ripped apart airplanes, blown-up vehicles and buildings, garbage, dead animals. The streets were so crowded. I only saw 5 women huddled in a corner and they didn't look up from the ground when we passed.
Kids everywhere! The majority of them wave at you and give you a thumbs up, a few boys will wait till you pass and then flip you the finger, little buggers...ha ha.
It was surreal arriving at *******. A compound *** m by *** m . A canvas tent but we are building a sandbag wall around it. We have to poop in a bag then burn it in the fire pit. There is a bag we can fill with water and use to shower, but it doesn't work well, so we use baby wipes.
The Afghan Police seem pretty good. The commander shook my hand. They all stare at me while I work but won't make eye contact with me otherwise. They haven't been paid in 2 months. I have got to hand it to them, they are still doing the job with no pay, one got shot in the leg a month ago and is still here working.
Our interpreter is so funny. He lives with us. He let me see a picture of his wife but wouldn`t let the other guys see it. `Not for men!`He says, ha ha. He is from ****** but came without his family. He wants to immigrate to Canada one day. He wanted to go to Quebec but when we told him he would have to learn french, he decided he might want to go to Toronto instead. He is so excited he knows one person in Canada, he shows me their number in his little book. He is a sweet guy, always praying and studying so he can come to Canada.
The locals seem good. They will tell us if they are working in their fields at odd hours so we are not surprised.
It breaks my heart to see the kids playing in this. The main road is littered with IEDs and mines. ** kms are safe because we clear it daily. Local kids play all over the road, heard their sheep etc. I am always praying the kids don`t get hurt. I am getting to know their faces and often then same kids come everyday asking for stuff.
The conditions aside, the kids are like kids in Canada. I was watching them through binoculars and saw 2 kids steal a bike, then some old man came and chased them away, ha ha. It is crazy watching the kids here, they work so hard, all the afghans do. From 4 AM to 6-7 PM or later. The you see them doing irrigation at 2-3:30 AM. You see the kids play, but it is around their work doing farming and irrigation.
The desert looks typical to what you would see on TV, sand dunes and camels. A sandy oasis.
I will end this here and write more later ..."
Letter Number 2 -snipped
"A beautiful day in Afghanistan, ha ha. I am sitting in the sun right now ( yes , with sunscreen) working on my tan, ha ha.It is weird not being able to talk to you whenever I want or for as long as I want.
Our interpreter is fascinated watching me write with my left hand and the way I hold my pen. "Too too hard but beautiful, sir!" He calls all of us "sir", not sure why! He is sweet, the last 2 guys that were here before us, he bought them cigarettes with his own money. That's big considering he only owns one outfit.
There is always explosions and gunfire. We are constantly on edge, it gets very tiresome.
Gotta go on shift, I will write more later!"
And then :
"What a long sh*tty night that was. I don't even know where to start! Things are always broken or in bad shape. To top it off, the generator broke. Usually you don't need heat here but the past 2 nights it was -10, cold when you are sleeping in a tent!
I don't remember what it is like to have 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep... There was an 'incident' a few kms of here. You could hear machine guns and rockets, and see lots of smoke. No Canadians hurt.
In a way, you get used to the sounds of war, you expect to hear it. Anyways, it is almost my shift again, time to get lunch. Talk to you later!"
And then:
" This pen sucks! ( Ink keeps stopping)They are on their way to pick up our letters and re-supply us, so this last note is going to be rushed. Things are going better today. My shift was sooo long last night but I am done now. I have 2 shifts daily in the *****, then maintenance, then *******, and whatever else comes up. Sometimes it gets very busy...
PS: our generator was fixed today so now we have power and heat again! :)"
It took the letters a month to get here, but they were a joy to receive this week. Thanks to all who continue to drop by and keep touch with Belinda this way, it means alot.
Till next time,
Julie
Friday, March 14, 2008
Mail Call!! :)
"Mail Call!"
The 2 sweetest words in the world when you are far away from home. The mail convoy finally made it through, and Belinda was the happy recipient of 4 large parcels and a stack of letters and cards from her family and friends at home.
There were plenty of cheers and enough goodies within those parcels to share around with her peers, so from the dusty heat of Afghanistan, Belinda says she and her fellow soldiers and Afghan peers send a heart-felt thank you!
The parcels were a real morale booster for all!
The 2 sweetest words in the world when you are far away from home. The mail convoy finally made it through, and Belinda was the happy recipient of 4 large parcels and a stack of letters and cards from her family and friends at home.
There were plenty of cheers and enough goodies within those parcels to share around with her peers, so from the dusty heat of Afghanistan, Belinda says she and her fellow soldiers and Afghan peers send a heart-felt thank you!
The parcels were a real morale booster for all!
Belinda says thank you...
Belinda called last night... a good call. A tense week for her there but she said she is feeling better in spite of it. The ability to share and vent her thoughts and feelings about her experiences and share it through her blog as well with her family and friends have helped immensely. She no longer feels alone with her thoughts and experiences.
She says a big thank you to her family and friends for the well wishes and thoughts while she is away.
Even though the parcels and letters have been late in arriving due to irregular shipment in her area, she is always made aware of anything that has been sent, the calls and emails inquiring about her, and the posted comments to her blog.
Technology is a wonderful thing... we are all scattered across this land and overseas, yet remain connected. It made me wonder how people managed several generations ago when during a time of war and crisis, one was left waiting for word for months or more. I am grateful we can share this way.
Julie
She says a big thank you to her family and friends for the well wishes and thoughts while she is away.
Even though the parcels and letters have been late in arriving due to irregular shipment in her area, she is always made aware of anything that has been sent, the calls and emails inquiring about her, and the posted comments to her blog.
Technology is a wonderful thing... we are all scattered across this land and overseas, yet remain connected. It made me wonder how people managed several generations ago when during a time of war and crisis, one was left waiting for word for months or more. I am grateful we can share this way.
Julie
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
When all they face is "this"...
"I now know why some people get bitter after being here..." Belinda said.
"I don't know how the people ( Afghan) here do it. How do they even manage to get up every day when all they face is this?"
Belinda called this morning. It is a really hard day for her, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The "this" that she refers to is the grinding poverty, pain and suffering of the locals that overwhelms the capabilities and resources of their small post.
A month ago they had extreme heat with cold nights. The cold has gone, taking with it the little relief it brought...now it is torrid, blistering heat. The children coming to her post no longer want a small toy or candy- they are barefoot, their feet cracked and bleeding from the broiling ground. They cry and beg for sandals.
The children approaching her farm the land around the post from sunrise to sunset, there is no relief for them, they will walk this scorching soil for the entire length of their days. She feels helpless, angry and frustrated that something so small as a pair of shoes could do so much for someone, yet she does not have the one thing that could bring them some relief.
They ask for water. The Canadians give them what they can. One little boy stands patiently and politely waiting his turn. Belinda offers him the water, and spying the little boy's dad off in the distance bent over and toiling hard, farming in the blistering heat , she offers him a second water and an orange for them to share.
I can hear it in her voice, the anger, the helplessness ...I remind her that her just being there brings change and good to someone's life, even in a moment as small as to offer a thirsty little boy and his father some water.
She feels a boiling rage building in her that she can do so little to help so much suffering. The soldiers all find different ways to cope with seeing so much misery. Some bottle it in, or try to act indifferent, some - like Belinda, rage...
The TV news does not even come close to showing the scope of just what the people there endure. She said the only thing remotely accurate is scenes portrayed in the recent Afghan movie "Kiterunner". She gets a lump in her throat now when she sees little boys and girls done up in make-up, for now she knows what that means. It is not just little kids playing dress up... Where you find extreme poverty, you find sexual exploitation, children are sometimes used for bartering, for survival... Afghanistan, Darfur, Thailand...even here on our North American soil, it is always the youngest and weakest that will pay the biggest price. And those intending harm will exploit every means possible. She is sickened to realize just how many of these children have probably been raped, many repeatedly, at some point in their short lives...
A little girl of 6 or 7 toting a tiny baby. Belinda communicates through the interpreter. The little girl is looking after her infant brother while mom works. They walk the deadly roadway in the blistering heat, where the IED's are found daily and destroyed by the Canadians, but they are just as quickly re-planted in the cover of night by those intending harm. She is upset that these two innocents are walking the roadway in the face of such hazards- but that is the day in the life of a child in Afghanistan.
Belinda is my baby in the midst of all of this suffering and chaos. She is my baby on the hazardous roads there... and all I can do is listen to her experiences and offer whatever verbal comfort that I can, and honor and share the truth of what she sees and feels here.
I share something universal with the mothers of Afghanistan. We all want our babies to be okay...
"I don't know how the people ( Afghan) here do it. How do they even manage to get up every day when all they face is this?"
Belinda called this morning. It is a really hard day for her, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The "this" that she refers to is the grinding poverty, pain and suffering of the locals that overwhelms the capabilities and resources of their small post.
A month ago they had extreme heat with cold nights. The cold has gone, taking with it the little relief it brought...now it is torrid, blistering heat. The children coming to her post no longer want a small toy or candy- they are barefoot, their feet cracked and bleeding from the broiling ground. They cry and beg for sandals.
The children approaching her farm the land around the post from sunrise to sunset, there is no relief for them, they will walk this scorching soil for the entire length of their days. She feels helpless, angry and frustrated that something so small as a pair of shoes could do so much for someone, yet she does not have the one thing that could bring them some relief.
They ask for water. The Canadians give them what they can. One little boy stands patiently and politely waiting his turn. Belinda offers him the water, and spying the little boy's dad off in the distance bent over and toiling hard, farming in the blistering heat , she offers him a second water and an orange for them to share.
I can hear it in her voice, the anger, the helplessness ...I remind her that her just being there brings change and good to someone's life, even in a moment as small as to offer a thirsty little boy and his father some water.
She feels a boiling rage building in her that she can do so little to help so much suffering. The soldiers all find different ways to cope with seeing so much misery. Some bottle it in, or try to act indifferent, some - like Belinda, rage...
The TV news does not even come close to showing the scope of just what the people there endure. She said the only thing remotely accurate is scenes portrayed in the recent Afghan movie "Kiterunner". She gets a lump in her throat now when she sees little boys and girls done up in make-up, for now she knows what that means. It is not just little kids playing dress up... Where you find extreme poverty, you find sexual exploitation, children are sometimes used for bartering, for survival... Afghanistan, Darfur, Thailand...even here on our North American soil, it is always the youngest and weakest that will pay the biggest price. And those intending harm will exploit every means possible. She is sickened to realize just how many of these children have probably been raped, many repeatedly, at some point in their short lives...
A little girl of 6 or 7 toting a tiny baby. Belinda communicates through the interpreter. The little girl is looking after her infant brother while mom works. They walk the deadly roadway in the blistering heat, where the IED's are found daily and destroyed by the Canadians, but they are just as quickly re-planted in the cover of night by those intending harm. She is upset that these two innocents are walking the roadway in the face of such hazards- but that is the day in the life of a child in Afghanistan.
Belinda is my baby in the midst of all of this suffering and chaos. She is my baby on the hazardous roads there... and all I can do is listen to her experiences and offer whatever verbal comfort that I can, and honor and share the truth of what she sees and feels here.
I share something universal with the mothers of Afghanistan. We all want our babies to be okay...
It wasn't us...
"I know you have probably seen the news now... it wasn't us. I tried to call as soon as I could" Belinda says.
She is right.
We saw the news.
Suicide bomber attacks a Canadian convoy.
One civilian killed, a soldier injured.
Someone we knew was there in that convoy. She nor we know if it was the friend who was injured yet. Injured persons names are not released to the media so we probably will not know for some time. All we know is that they are okay now, and that the injured person is back to duty already.
She is right.
We saw the news.
Suicide bomber attacks a Canadian convoy.
One civilian killed, a soldier injured.
Someone we knew was there in that convoy. She nor we know if it was the friend who was injured yet. Injured persons names are not released to the media so we probably will not know for some time. All we know is that they are okay now, and that the injured person is back to duty already.
Monday, March 10, 2008
IMP's ...otherwise known as 'Green Eggs and Ham"
The diet living at a post in Afghanistan is limited at best. While they always have something to eat...sometimes what you have to eat is not all that appealing.
Lately, for reasons unknown, there has been a surplus of breakfast IMP's (individual meakl packs)- referred to in the days of old as green eggs and ham! But as of late, they have not always received the lunch and supper rations when these items are distributed. Considering these IMP's are made with the intent of having a 3 year shelf life, you can just imagine how 'tasty' they are...would you want to consume a piece of 3 year old bread? ;-)...
Now imagine only having breakfast - over and over.
This has led to some inventive cooking with whatever supplies the soldiers could scrounge, most recently they were BBQing bologna. Belinda, who has always had a strong dislike for rice, asked me to send a huge bag of it...even undesirable foods look tasty next to an IMP!
Till next time,
Julie
Lately, for reasons unknown, there has been a surplus of breakfast IMP's (individual meakl packs)- referred to in the days of old as green eggs and ham! But as of late, they have not always received the lunch and supper rations when these items are distributed. Considering these IMP's are made with the intent of having a 3 year shelf life, you can just imagine how 'tasty' they are...would you want to consume a piece of 3 year old bread? ;-)...
Now imagine only having breakfast - over and over.
This has led to some inventive cooking with whatever supplies the soldiers could scrounge, most recently they were BBQing bologna. Belinda, who has always had a strong dislike for rice, asked me to send a huge bag of it...even undesirable foods look tasty next to an IMP!
Till next time,
Julie
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Roll Over...
Another call , at 5 AM to say she is okay, that she had been involved in a roll over accident. No one was hurt, and everything ended well enough but she would call me back later with the details, she only had a moment.
The second call came later that night and this time she told me what had transpired and told me I could post it in the blog.
They were doing a patrol. Some on foot ahead, Belinda and her gunner contained in the RG31... also jokingly referred to as the 'tonka truck' , or more formally, the "Nyala". It is one of the newest versions of armoured vehicles.
Roads in Afghanistan are not like the roads here, usually pitted and potholed, craters from previous IED's, washed out or resembling more of a goat trail then a roadway. This was a piece of road that they had travelled before, they knew where to expect some IED holes other terrain issues but were unaware that more of the road had washed out/ caved in as they approached the bridge over a small river.
Knowing there was an old IED pothole ahead at the mouth of the bridge, she steered slightly clear of that to avoid it. But the bridge being narrow , and unaware that more of the road had recently caved in, as she drove onto the bridge there was the a strange 'bump' where it was not to be expected - followed by the sickening sensation of realizing that you were going to go off the bridge.
One of her peers on foot looked back and realizing what was transpiring, was frantically yelling and pointing, wordless to her encased in the heavy metal vehicle. She felt the sensation of tipping....ever -so -slowly ...and froze, realizing there was no way to steer out of this, but that you had to ride it out. All her peers on foot were now turned around, looks of horror, everyone realizing in that moment that they were helpless to do anything but watch. Everyone outside and inside the vehicle so frozen still... it was as if everyone stopped breathing, that the slightest twitch or softest exhale might be the catalyst to topple the precarious and painfully slow-tipping vehicle off the bridge.
And it tipped so s-l-o-w-l-y ... she saw the horrified faces of her peers disappear and the water come into view... each second felt like a minute, she said everything was in slow motion. She clung to the steering wheel and braced herself...
Moments later, she hung from the steering wheel, still clinging , white knuckled, as the vehicle landed half on its roof, half on its side in the river.
Landing on her feet, she realized the water was already to her ankles. The large gunner was still wedged into his spot,now half upside down, startled yet still gripping his weoponry controls.
Voices outside and from above, frantic and yelling. Belinda saw the water level rush to her knees in seconds and shouted out for rescue.
How would they get the only accessible door open??? The door alone was 500 LBS, after all, it is an armoured vehicle!! And to do that defying gravity due to the position that the vehicle had landed, the door had become more of an obstacle then escape hatch, a horrifyingly heavy one. She felt the sensation of the vehicle sinking more and frantically shouted again to one of her peers, her close friend Doonsford, came into view.
Adrenalin can do amazing things, he suddenly stopped struggling with the door and with a surge of superhuman strength, hauled that door open and hoisted Belinda out, carried her to safety,and rescued the gunner.
She felt like her legs could not even hold her, the realization of how quickly that vehicle might have become a tomb. But there was no time to ponder this, now herself and the others quickly emptied the vehicle of weaponry and ammunition and waited for the recovery vehicle to arrive... which it did some hours later.
That in itself posed an additional issue, no one wants to be stranded in this territory...
They realized much of the roadway had washed out or caved in and that the mighty Nyala was so oversized and heavy that there could not have been any recourse.
Finally recovery arrived. As they hoisted the vehicle out, the immense 50 cal gun came into view- bent in half. As recovery attempted to right the vehicle, it only made it several feet before hitting another pothole and the vehicle slowly started to topple over again, this time onto it's other side. Belinda and a few of the others broke out into laughter to watch the exact scenario play itself out for a second time...
Finally they arrived back to camp. Hours later , the adrenalin worn off, she realized every part of her body seemed to ache ... but was ecstatic to see that mail had arrived in their absence!! She was almost giddy with anticipation of the numerous letters and parcels that she knew myself, family and friends had sent on some time before...
No parcels, no letters, not even a card - It was a Telus bill!!
Trust Telus to get through when no one else can... even in Afghanistan! ;-)
Friday, March 7, 2008
Jarrod goes home ...
I had mentioned in an earlier post about the young Afghan policeman that Belinda had spoke of, who had left the safety of his new home in Pakistan to join the National Police in an effort to help bring stability to his homeland.(See the post : Good Evening from Afghanistan" February 27th 2008)
These young men of the National Police are an ongoing target of those intending harm over there. So it was a joyous moment when he finally learned he would get some long-over-due vacation time and could go home and see his family. The Canadians had come to know him well and were fond of him. Upon hearing he was the father of a little baby, they then urged him to reconsider returning to his post, the likelihood of him being killed on duty was too high... The debate raged on but finally it was decided that he would return home to Pakistan, this time for good. The Canadian soldiers were relieved to realize at least in this circumstance, one child would be spared the pain of being orphaned by war.
So- good luck to you Jarrod, where ever you are... Belinda says you are already missed by the troops but they derive much joy and comfort from you resuming your role as a father.
These young men of the National Police are an ongoing target of those intending harm over there. So it was a joyous moment when he finally learned he would get some long-over-due vacation time and could go home and see his family. The Canadians had come to know him well and were fond of him. Upon hearing he was the father of a little baby, they then urged him to reconsider returning to his post, the likelihood of him being killed on duty was too high... The debate raged on but finally it was decided that he would return home to Pakistan, this time for good. The Canadian soldiers were relieved to realize at least in this circumstance, one child would be spared the pain of being orphaned by war.
So- good luck to you Jarrod, where ever you are... Belinda says you are already missed by the troops but they derive much joy and comfort from you resuming your role as a father.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Patrols
A quick call from Belinda.
They have been doing foot patrols to neighboring villages. She is frustrated because even though she was trained with intense first aid, she is coming cross illnesses and injuries she can do little for. Things that would be mundane in nature and easily cured in Canada are not in a area crippled and impoverished by war. As the lone female in her group, she is the one to see the women of the area. One she suspected of having internal bleeding, but the male present swore up and down that there had been no impact or injury to the old woman's abdomen, yet everything about the presentation told her is was internal bleeding. Wounds and arthritus, severe infections... her frustration mounts... she feels she can bring little comfort to so much suffering. I try to remind her that to just be there, a caring presence in a moment of someone elses pain, is a comfort...
They have been doing foot patrols to neighboring villages. She is frustrated because even though she was trained with intense first aid, she is coming cross illnesses and injuries she can do little for. Things that would be mundane in nature and easily cured in Canada are not in a area crippled and impoverished by war. As the lone female in her group, she is the one to see the women of the area. One she suspected of having internal bleeding, but the male present swore up and down that there had been no impact or injury to the old woman's abdomen, yet everything about the presentation told her is was internal bleeding. Wounds and arthritus, severe infections... her frustration mounts... she feels she can bring little comfort to so much suffering. I try to remind her that to just be there, a caring presence in a moment of someone elses pain, is a comfort...
Monday, March 3, 2008
When you see the kids ...
A call from Belinda this evening...
A soldier died yesterday. "I am okay!" she tells me quickly. He was not from her post... but in the small military family, that does not matter. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family.
A central theme in almost every call that Belinda makes home is the plight of the children there. This particular call today, she had a heavy heart...day in, day out - she sees these children suffering and the harsh life that war has brought to them. Her ,own living conditions are straight out of the show "Survivor" - but worse...but her worst day would be one of these children's best she has said, having witnessed just how hard their life is and how little they have.
One of the things she noted is the rampant infection to be seen on their hands. The hands of every child she sees are swollen and red, cracked, their nails usually a vivid orange, bleeding, sores. Possibly a water-born contaminant she has said, since just casual contact with the water there once gave her a rash that is still ongoing and hopefully will be diagnosed, the medics are looking into it.
She routinely sees children as young as 3 toiling in the fields alongside their older siblings and parent(s). If you are old enough to hold a shovel or pump a well, you are old enough to help the household. Their hours are long, often well into the night. It is not uncommon for her to see them out working from before sunrise ubntil well past sunset, often a 16 hour day.
But the moments they can let loose and be 'kids' are a joy to her. You could hear the smile in her voice relating a story of tossing a Frisbee from the watch tower, the kids laughing and chasing it, tossing it back to her for her to throw it again.
She told me of a little boy, maybe about 4... trying to run in shoes far too big for his thin, little pigeon-toed feet...yet he had shoes, far more than what the other local children had who ran about barefoot. She said he was the classic little tag-a-long kid, trying to keep up to the rest of the pack. He struggled along yet couldn't catch the Frisbee, couldn't keep up to the other kids, so he started to cry...
Belinda kept tossing that Frisbee till he finally caught it, and after that he was all smiles. He always smiles at her now, waves and gives her a joyous thumbs up now, he is so pleased with himself and his new friend... she is learning a few basic Afghan phrases to engage him in some conversation now.
She also spoke of a shy little girl who would stare, and sometimes cry, and keep her wary distance, till upon getting a little closer, she realized that this 'soldier' was also a girl... and now watches her every move and studies Belinda with a shy smile. No words spoken yet, but Belinda is confident that with time that will change.
Belinda ponders aloud that if it is so hard for them, the soldiers themselves to live like this in the relative short term of less then a year...how is it that the locals and children manage every single day, with so little hope in sight?
The homes she has seen are the epitome of poverty. No door, or a blanket for a door, a blanket for sleeping, she has only ever rarely seen a piece of furniture, most sit on dried blocks of mud. The holes and damage to the interior walls reflect the stark evidence of war...
Children of 3 toiling the fields, young children cooking, cleaning and hand-laundering clothes, hauling water... a child of 11 is more like 16 or 17 she said, they age so fast. Their mortality in this lifestyle is so reduced that a man or woman of 40 is regarded as old.
The only bright spot in most of her days is when she has a little something to give to the children...a small treat of some sort , sometimes a small toy. One little boy of seven struck a cord with her ... he arrived with other children but rather than act like a child of 7, spoke like an adult, looking her in the eye, a strong handshake from such a small hand. She offered him a little toy but he asked for a pen and paper instead. Not having one to give, she again offered the small toy. He accepted the toy graciously, and then he went straight out into the feild and gave it to one of the younger children.
Conditions for the soldiers in these small posts are only a small step up from the locals. To use the bathroom 'bucket' is a 20 minute ordeal of prep and disposal. No soldier at this post has had a shower since they left Canada - and due to the chronic shortage of water...baby wipes have been their only method of trying to get clean ( and those are running out! We have a parcel full of baby wipes ready for tomorrow's mail...) The mattresses promised have yet to arrive, and sand is everywhere, in everything... you adjust to life always having the abrasive grit of sand. She ponders how much of her tan is a tan- and how much of it would wash off if she had access to water...Life in a post of this kind is tense, hot and dirty...it is amazing their morale is as high as it is.
She is thankful for the life she has in Canada, but angry that children have to endure so much. She is sad that life is so unfair, that by virtue of where you were born, you can have so much - and so little.
But for all she sees and feels, the duty she serves, the conditions she must bear to perform that duty, you can hear the light and smile in her voice when she speaks of seeing the kids.
Till next time,
Julie
A soldier died yesterday. "I am okay!" she tells me quickly. He was not from her post... but in the small military family, that does not matter. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family.
A central theme in almost every call that Belinda makes home is the plight of the children there. This particular call today, she had a heavy heart...day in, day out - she sees these children suffering and the harsh life that war has brought to them. Her ,own living conditions are straight out of the show "Survivor" - but worse...but her worst day would be one of these children's best she has said, having witnessed just how hard their life is and how little they have.
One of the things she noted is the rampant infection to be seen on their hands. The hands of every child she sees are swollen and red, cracked, their nails usually a vivid orange, bleeding, sores. Possibly a water-born contaminant she has said, since just casual contact with the water there once gave her a rash that is still ongoing and hopefully will be diagnosed, the medics are looking into it.
She routinely sees children as young as 3 toiling in the fields alongside their older siblings and parent(s). If you are old enough to hold a shovel or pump a well, you are old enough to help the household. Their hours are long, often well into the night. It is not uncommon for her to see them out working from before sunrise ubntil well past sunset, often a 16 hour day.
But the moments they can let loose and be 'kids' are a joy to her. You could hear the smile in her voice relating a story of tossing a Frisbee from the watch tower, the kids laughing and chasing it, tossing it back to her for her to throw it again.
She told me of a little boy, maybe about 4... trying to run in shoes far too big for his thin, little pigeon-toed feet...yet he had shoes, far more than what the other local children had who ran about barefoot. She said he was the classic little tag-a-long kid, trying to keep up to the rest of the pack. He struggled along yet couldn't catch the Frisbee, couldn't keep up to the other kids, so he started to cry...
Belinda kept tossing that Frisbee till he finally caught it, and after that he was all smiles. He always smiles at her now, waves and gives her a joyous thumbs up now, he is so pleased with himself and his new friend... she is learning a few basic Afghan phrases to engage him in some conversation now.
She also spoke of a shy little girl who would stare, and sometimes cry, and keep her wary distance, till upon getting a little closer, she realized that this 'soldier' was also a girl... and now watches her every move and studies Belinda with a shy smile. No words spoken yet, but Belinda is confident that with time that will change.
Belinda ponders aloud that if it is so hard for them, the soldiers themselves to live like this in the relative short term of less then a year...how is it that the locals and children manage every single day, with so little hope in sight?
The homes she has seen are the epitome of poverty. No door, or a blanket for a door, a blanket for sleeping, she has only ever rarely seen a piece of furniture, most sit on dried blocks of mud. The holes and damage to the interior walls reflect the stark evidence of war...
Children of 3 toiling the fields, young children cooking, cleaning and hand-laundering clothes, hauling water... a child of 11 is more like 16 or 17 she said, they age so fast. Their mortality in this lifestyle is so reduced that a man or woman of 40 is regarded as old.
The only bright spot in most of her days is when she has a little something to give to the children...a small treat of some sort , sometimes a small toy. One little boy of seven struck a cord with her ... he arrived with other children but rather than act like a child of 7, spoke like an adult, looking her in the eye, a strong handshake from such a small hand. She offered him a little toy but he asked for a pen and paper instead. Not having one to give, she again offered the small toy. He accepted the toy graciously, and then he went straight out into the feild and gave it to one of the younger children.
Conditions for the soldiers in these small posts are only a small step up from the locals. To use the bathroom 'bucket' is a 20 minute ordeal of prep and disposal. No soldier at this post has had a shower since they left Canada - and due to the chronic shortage of water...baby wipes have been their only method of trying to get clean ( and those are running out! We have a parcel full of baby wipes ready for tomorrow's mail...) The mattresses promised have yet to arrive, and sand is everywhere, in everything... you adjust to life always having the abrasive grit of sand. She ponders how much of her tan is a tan- and how much of it would wash off if she had access to water...Life in a post of this kind is tense, hot and dirty...it is amazing their morale is as high as it is.
She is thankful for the life she has in Canada, but angry that children have to endure so much. She is sad that life is so unfair, that by virtue of where you were born, you can have so much - and so little.
But for all she sees and feels, the duty she serves, the conditions she must bear to perform that duty, you can hear the light and smile in her voice when she speaks of seeing the kids.
Till next time,
Julie
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Good Evening from Afghanistan
This call arrived at 6 AM... the sun still waiting to rise for myself, and as darkness was approaching for Belinda on the other side of the world. She had a great deal to speak about this particular call. The blog being such a public venue, we are careful about what we post... but there is still much to share.
Belinda was most excited and touched by a meal prepared by her Afghan Police peers today. Food- or the lack of it has been an ongoing issue for the Afghan police, and they often must try to exist off of rice. Belinda and her fellow soldiers have been sharing their own rations so that everyone would have something to eat.
Finally the Afghan police at her post received their meagre food allowance... but rather then devote it to their own needs, they prepared a feast for their Canadian peers and Belinda said it was delicious! They dined on Afghan rice, which is a very long, noodle-like rice, 'crescent moon' potatoes done in afghan oils and spices that reminded her of our french fries, (except the afghan version tasted even better, Belinda says) and a bread native to their area that is reminiscent of bannock. She said she will never forget that meal and it is easily one of the best she has ever had.
Life for animals in Afghanistan is as harsh as it is for the humans there... Belinda being a devoted animal lover, has sometimes found it hard to see what animals also must endure....till a recent event which gave her a laugh...
A poor little donkey was being loaded down with immense amounts of hay, burdened so heavily and piled so high that the donkey was no longer even visible... until the load suddenly shifted and toppled off! The donkey took that moment to flee and galloped off zig-zagging into the horizon with several Afghan locals in tow, stumbling and chasing, arms flailing... she could barely get through this without laughing right out loud.... every once in a while animals get a little justice too!
Friendship bonds are already strong and very devoted between the Canadians and young Afghan police at Belinda's particular post. Their lives touch her immensely, particularly the young Afghan man whose story follows:
One of her Afghan peers is a young man of 22. He spoke of how the violence and impoverished living conditions had deteriorated so badly that his family fled to parts of Pakistan and Germany. Determined to help his family and homeland, this young man left the safety of their new home to return to the war with the dream of helping to bring Afghanistan back to stability with the ANP (Afghan National Police)-hoping upon hope that his contribution would allow his family to return to their beloved homeland one day. But as time has passed, and though he continues to do his duty with lack of pay, equipment, just one uniform to wear day in and day out,the harsh and dangerous living conditions, he sadly acknowledged that his family will probably never be able to return home - at least not in his lifetime ( at 22)
Yet he stays on, attempting to do his duty so that maybe children of a future generation will be able to live in a peaceful and prosperous homeland, one that he himself has never known - just heard about.
Belinda is particularly fond of their 40-ish year old interpreter. He is an active, devoted and integral part of their tight team and she speaks of him every call and the immense help he has provided in their communications. The Canadian soldiers recently gave him a pair of sunglasses, which have become a cherished possession to him. He, in his 40's, had never had a pair of sunglasses in his life...and as you can well imagine in the blazing Afghanistan sun and heat, this small gift was like gold to him. His delight in receiving this small token left Belinda in awe. She said it is hard to see things as you used to once you have witnessed something like this.... she said she will never see something as mundane as sunglasses the same again, she will always be reminded of some one's profound gratitude and delight over a simple pair of sunglasses.
Their culture is a very devoted one. Mosques dot the landscape and the loudspeakers that announce prayer time can be heard off in the distance. Her interpreter is equally devoted and she appreciates quietly watching him prepare for his prayer ritual. Rising at 5 AM, bathing his feet ( an important part of preparing for their prayer) and proceeding with his prayers. There is a hypnotic beauty to their prayers, the way they are sung. She is careful not to be caught staring as this would be disrespectful, but she appreciates the opportunity to witness their devotion.
One day the loudspeaker was not heard at 5 AM...the interpreter was quite flustered and upset about this, and announced defiantly that he would proceed with his prayers anyhow. He was upset that this comfort, the announcement of prayer time, was not to be heard at that moment.
Unfortunately, one of the most prolific crops to be found over there is that of marijuana. This is not news to us, we have seen that on TV here as well. One of the distressing side effects though to these crops is that the immense plant height provides 'cover' for that small segment of the population there that is intending harm and disruption.
Farmers are desperate for any crop that will sell, help them provide for their families... The Canadians are active in aiding through providing money or wheat seed so that the farmers can switch over their crops, and they also reimburse the farmers to keep them cut down, especially close to the roadways where people intending harm like to move covertly. The farmers response has been very good as they are grateful to be able to return home and try to resume their livelihood of farming, the wheat providing them a new way to sustain themselves and their families.
With the intense heat, ongoing lack of sleep, the harsh noise and vibrations of war, the ache of missing your family and friends, the grind to the spirit of witnessing so much suffering and poverty of others, emotions are touchy, and tempers flare up quickly....thankfully moments later, profuse apologies are offered for any weary exchange- "Sorry man,, just really tired" ...etc etc
I hope we all do what we can just to make their days a little brighter. I have mentioned it before and will mention it again- a letter or card ... parcels with small goodies ( books, magazines,toiletries, candy,socks etc)... any of these things will go far to brighten someone's day over there.
It need not even be to someone you personally know, but a friendly letter- a smile across the miles to any soldier will be warmly received. Teamwork is integral there, they share everything good and bad... letters are welcomed and appreciated.
If you have a moment, drop someone a line...be it Belinda or any soldier. A quick email to alwaysartstudio(at)hotmail(dot)com and I will send you either the address of Belinda's post or the general mailing address if you are wanting to send an letter or card to any soldier.
Till next time,
Julie
Belinda was most excited and touched by a meal prepared by her Afghan Police peers today. Food- or the lack of it has been an ongoing issue for the Afghan police, and they often must try to exist off of rice. Belinda and her fellow soldiers have been sharing their own rations so that everyone would have something to eat.
Finally the Afghan police at her post received their meagre food allowance... but rather then devote it to their own needs, they prepared a feast for their Canadian peers and Belinda said it was delicious! They dined on Afghan rice, which is a very long, noodle-like rice, 'crescent moon' potatoes done in afghan oils and spices that reminded her of our french fries, (except the afghan version tasted even better, Belinda says) and a bread native to their area that is reminiscent of bannock. She said she will never forget that meal and it is easily one of the best she has ever had.
Life for animals in Afghanistan is as harsh as it is for the humans there... Belinda being a devoted animal lover, has sometimes found it hard to see what animals also must endure....till a recent event which gave her a laugh...
A poor little donkey was being loaded down with immense amounts of hay, burdened so heavily and piled so high that the donkey was no longer even visible... until the load suddenly shifted and toppled off! The donkey took that moment to flee and galloped off zig-zagging into the horizon with several Afghan locals in tow, stumbling and chasing, arms flailing... she could barely get through this without laughing right out loud.... every once in a while animals get a little justice too!
Friendship bonds are already strong and very devoted between the Canadians and young Afghan police at Belinda's particular post. Their lives touch her immensely, particularly the young Afghan man whose story follows:
One of her Afghan peers is a young man of 22. He spoke of how the violence and impoverished living conditions had deteriorated so badly that his family fled to parts of Pakistan and Germany. Determined to help his family and homeland, this young man left the safety of their new home to return to the war with the dream of helping to bring Afghanistan back to stability with the ANP (Afghan National Police)-hoping upon hope that his contribution would allow his family to return to their beloved homeland one day. But as time has passed, and though he continues to do his duty with lack of pay, equipment, just one uniform to wear day in and day out,the harsh and dangerous living conditions, he sadly acknowledged that his family will probably never be able to return home - at least not in his lifetime ( at 22)
Yet he stays on, attempting to do his duty so that maybe children of a future generation will be able to live in a peaceful and prosperous homeland, one that he himself has never known - just heard about.
Belinda is particularly fond of their 40-ish year old interpreter. He is an active, devoted and integral part of their tight team and she speaks of him every call and the immense help he has provided in their communications. The Canadian soldiers recently gave him a pair of sunglasses, which have become a cherished possession to him. He, in his 40's, had never had a pair of sunglasses in his life...and as you can well imagine in the blazing Afghanistan sun and heat, this small gift was like gold to him. His delight in receiving this small token left Belinda in awe. She said it is hard to see things as you used to once you have witnessed something like this.... she said she will never see something as mundane as sunglasses the same again, she will always be reminded of some one's profound gratitude and delight over a simple pair of sunglasses.
Their culture is a very devoted one. Mosques dot the landscape and the loudspeakers that announce prayer time can be heard off in the distance. Her interpreter is equally devoted and she appreciates quietly watching him prepare for his prayer ritual. Rising at 5 AM, bathing his feet ( an important part of preparing for their prayer) and proceeding with his prayers. There is a hypnotic beauty to their prayers, the way they are sung. She is careful not to be caught staring as this would be disrespectful, but she appreciates the opportunity to witness their devotion.
One day the loudspeaker was not heard at 5 AM...the interpreter was quite flustered and upset about this, and announced defiantly that he would proceed with his prayers anyhow. He was upset that this comfort, the announcement of prayer time, was not to be heard at that moment.
Unfortunately, one of the most prolific crops to be found over there is that of marijuana. This is not news to us, we have seen that on TV here as well. One of the distressing side effects though to these crops is that the immense plant height provides 'cover' for that small segment of the population there that is intending harm and disruption.
Farmers are desperate for any crop that will sell, help them provide for their families... The Canadians are active in aiding through providing money or wheat seed so that the farmers can switch over their crops, and they also reimburse the farmers to keep them cut down, especially close to the roadways where people intending harm like to move covertly. The farmers response has been very good as they are grateful to be able to return home and try to resume their livelihood of farming, the wheat providing them a new way to sustain themselves and their families.
With the intense heat, ongoing lack of sleep, the harsh noise and vibrations of war, the ache of missing your family and friends, the grind to the spirit of witnessing so much suffering and poverty of others, emotions are touchy, and tempers flare up quickly....thankfully moments later, profuse apologies are offered for any weary exchange- "Sorry man,, just really tired" ...etc etc
I hope we all do what we can just to make their days a little brighter. I have mentioned it before and will mention it again- a letter or card ... parcels with small goodies ( books, magazines,toiletries, candy,socks etc)... any of these things will go far to brighten someone's day over there.
It need not even be to someone you personally know, but a friendly letter- a smile across the miles to any soldier will be warmly received. Teamwork is integral there, they share everything good and bad... letters are welcomed and appreciated.
If you have a moment, drop someone a line...be it Belinda or any soldier. A quick email to alwaysartstudio(at)hotmail(dot)com and I will send you either the address of Belinda's post or the general mailing address if you are wanting to send an letter or card to any soldier.
Till next time,
Julie
Monday, February 25, 2008
A new call from Belinda
Good morning,
Internet access for Belinda is looking unlikely for a while to come, but they have been generous in allowing phonecalls home. Their post(camp) is very spartan at best, so I suspect the phonecalls are a morale booster- and I am grateful for more contact with Belinda at least while it lasts as there are also frequent blackout periods regarding phonecalls home. It has worked out well with the time change...I had been worried we would miss calls due to being at work, but her noon is our midnight, her evening is our early AM etc etc...
Belinda spoke of watching some of the children playing with a soccer ball in a nearby feild, watching them race about, laughing and playing...moments later, there was explosions- not in their immediate vincinity, but close enough that the vibrations went through you and it could be seen on the horizon - the children didn't miss a beat, and kept playing like nothing had happened. She realized with utter sadness that this mortar that had startled the adults was not 'new' to the kids... it was common to their life now and what they had come to know -and they kept on playing without even a slight pause.
The impact of war on children is probably the most difficult thing for her to witness. Barely out of childhood herself...it awes and saddens her to realize what children have to adapt to.
The Afghan people have so little, yet are also the most generous she has ever met. They will litterally offer the shirt off their back for a soldier. She spoke of a story of a Canadian soldier hovering over a bowl of water, washing his shirt...and the afghan man seeing the soldier with no shirt, immediately stripped his own off and rushed over, trying to give his own shirt to this soldier so that he would not be without.
Sometimes in life, the less you have, the more you have to give.
Belinda sends a hello to all and sends her love.
Till next time,
Julie
Internet access for Belinda is looking unlikely for a while to come, but they have been generous in allowing phonecalls home. Their post(camp) is very spartan at best, so I suspect the phonecalls are a morale booster- and I am grateful for more contact with Belinda at least while it lasts as there are also frequent blackout periods regarding phonecalls home. It has worked out well with the time change...I had been worried we would miss calls due to being at work, but her noon is our midnight, her evening is our early AM etc etc...
Belinda spoke of watching some of the children playing with a soccer ball in a nearby feild, watching them race about, laughing and playing...moments later, there was explosions- not in their immediate vincinity, but close enough that the vibrations went through you and it could be seen on the horizon - the children didn't miss a beat, and kept playing like nothing had happened. She realized with utter sadness that this mortar that had startled the adults was not 'new' to the kids... it was common to their life now and what they had come to know -and they kept on playing without even a slight pause.
The impact of war on children is probably the most difficult thing for her to witness. Barely out of childhood herself...it awes and saddens her to realize what children have to adapt to.
The Afghan people have so little, yet are also the most generous she has ever met. They will litterally offer the shirt off their back for a soldier. She spoke of a story of a Canadian soldier hovering over a bowl of water, washing his shirt...and the afghan man seeing the soldier with no shirt, immediately stripped his own off and rushed over, trying to give his own shirt to this soldier so that he would not be without.
Sometimes in life, the less you have, the more you have to give.
Belinda sends a hello to all and sends her love.
Till next time,
Julie
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Elton's Departure Parade song to the troops
I am reposting the song from the Departure parade on January 17th for any of those that missed it earlier. The song was written and performed by Elton Adams, a fellow soldier and MP who also went overseas with Belinda and this recent group of troops.
Enjoy and pass it on to anyone else you might think would appreciate hearing it...I have also included the link for a music video version that was created by a fellow soldier , Cpl Howse. ( he included Belinda's picture on the video.)
The music video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCA0med-zXI&feature=related
Enjoy and pass it on to anyone else you might think would appreciate hearing it...I have also included the link for a music video version that was created by a fellow soldier , Cpl Howse. ( he included Belinda's picture on the video.)
The music video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCA0med-zXI&feature=related
Friday, February 22, 2008
Another call from Belinda
We received another call from Belinda!
Extremes in temperature remain an issue... days so hot that you tan from the inside out, but nights so cool that the temperature drops to -6 or -8. Not a bad temperature in Canada but when you have been overheated all day, it makes the nights that much more uncomfortable and chilly, -6 feels more like -16. The Canadian soldiers were equipped for this but there has been an attempt to aid their afghan counterparts at their post, who are dealing with poverty, and often a lack of basic equipment and food resources.
Days are very long, sometimes that 3 hour 'break' results in making the choice to eat or sleep... a difficult decision if you are needing both. One recent shift began at 2 pm and did not finish till 4 AM...
Cultural differences are apparent often, a female in uniform is not a common sight in this country. Belinda speaks of sensing she is being watched and upon turning, will see her afghan peers shyly avert their eyes or try to casually look away. In one circumstance, she laughed as she told me of scanning the horizon with her binoculars and as she scanned to the side she viewed one of her Afghan peers with his binoculars viewing her!
The days are not without humor ... in attempt to communicate with one of her Afghan peers she found herself resorting to sign language , her Afghan peer doing the same as they struggled to convey what each was trying to say to the other. Moments later they realized in unison that they were flapping and flailing their arms wildly in an attempt to communicate and both dissolved into laughter at the spectacle they must have presented.
The children continue to amaze her, their strength and resiliance and cheerfulness, their ability to still be 'kids' in the face of such obstacles and adversity. She sees them toiling in the feilds, often 16+ hour days... a feat unimaginable for most adults.
Some things that are now common to their day would leave most of us shuddering.... the bucket that is the 'latrine' for the troops...and the daily chore of 'disposing' of it's contents...
Rations become tiresome quickly... but a couple large parcels already enroute of dried fruit and nuts, granola bars and candy should alleviate a little of that. I wanted to send chocolate as well but was not sure that it would fare well in the heat of the days so erred on the side of things that might make the journey without melting or congealing.
There is a minor change to her address but it should not affect any parcels and letters already enroute. Just email me if you would like her address. :)
So this is the most recent update of her days ... there is much more to tell but with the blog being a public venue, we err on the side of caution and security.
We miss her so much, she occupies our mind each and every day- but we try to remind ourselves that no amount of miles can ever come between the heart and spirit and love....
Till next time,
Julie
Extremes in temperature remain an issue... days so hot that you tan from the inside out, but nights so cool that the temperature drops to -6 or -8. Not a bad temperature in Canada but when you have been overheated all day, it makes the nights that much more uncomfortable and chilly, -6 feels more like -16. The Canadian soldiers were equipped for this but there has been an attempt to aid their afghan counterparts at their post, who are dealing with poverty, and often a lack of basic equipment and food resources.
Days are very long, sometimes that 3 hour 'break' results in making the choice to eat or sleep... a difficult decision if you are needing both. One recent shift began at 2 pm and did not finish till 4 AM...
Cultural differences are apparent often, a female in uniform is not a common sight in this country. Belinda speaks of sensing she is being watched and upon turning, will see her afghan peers shyly avert their eyes or try to casually look away. In one circumstance, she laughed as she told me of scanning the horizon with her binoculars and as she scanned to the side she viewed one of her Afghan peers with his binoculars viewing her!
The days are not without humor ... in attempt to communicate with one of her Afghan peers she found herself resorting to sign language , her Afghan peer doing the same as they struggled to convey what each was trying to say to the other. Moments later they realized in unison that they were flapping and flailing their arms wildly in an attempt to communicate and both dissolved into laughter at the spectacle they must have presented.
The children continue to amaze her, their strength and resiliance and cheerfulness, their ability to still be 'kids' in the face of such obstacles and adversity. She sees them toiling in the feilds, often 16+ hour days... a feat unimaginable for most adults.
Some things that are now common to their day would leave most of us shuddering.... the bucket that is the 'latrine' for the troops...and the daily chore of 'disposing' of it's contents...
Rations become tiresome quickly... but a couple large parcels already enroute of dried fruit and nuts, granola bars and candy should alleviate a little of that. I wanted to send chocolate as well but was not sure that it would fare well in the heat of the days so erred on the side of things that might make the journey without melting or congealing.
There is a minor change to her address but it should not affect any parcels and letters already enroute. Just email me if you would like her address. :)
So this is the most recent update of her days ... there is much more to tell but with the blog being a public venue, we err on the side of caution and security.
We miss her so much, she occupies our mind each and every day- but we try to remind ourselves that no amount of miles can ever come between the heart and spirit and love....
Till next time,
Julie
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A call from Belinda
A quick note before I depart for work...
There is a 12 hour time difference so we get the call in the middle of the night... Belinda was amazed and in awe of how clear and big the skies are... She can see forever there.
The mountains are beautiful, very jagged and distant. She said their country is beautiful- the land, the trees, the people- if only it were not for the signs of war...
Her area has endured a great deal of strife but it pleased her to know it had been reduced enough recently that there were children appearing in her region again, they herd the sheep and like to wave at the soldiers and are always hopeful for a treat. These kids have lost everything in most cases, lives interupted, so we have a treat box and box of children's clothing readying for mail by months end. Not much considering the amount of need there, but a start at least. We will also be sending on a box of treats, clean socks, toiletries and other goodies for the soldiers in her particular post.
As I type this on my laptop, readying for work in my comfortable home, I am reminded of just how fortunate we are to be here in Canada... I am humbled to know that children can endure so much violence and hardship that would destroy the strongest spirit amongst adults, but still find joy in the simple task of being able to herd their sheep again and wave at the soldiers, hopeful for a small treat...
There is a 12 hour time difference so we get the call in the middle of the night... Belinda was amazed and in awe of how clear and big the skies are... She can see forever there.
The mountains are beautiful, very jagged and distant. She said their country is beautiful- the land, the trees, the people- if only it were not for the signs of war...
Her area has endured a great deal of strife but it pleased her to know it had been reduced enough recently that there were children appearing in her region again, they herd the sheep and like to wave at the soldiers and are always hopeful for a treat. These kids have lost everything in most cases, lives interupted, so we have a treat box and box of children's clothing readying for mail by months end. Not much considering the amount of need there, but a start at least. We will also be sending on a box of treats, clean socks, toiletries and other goodies for the soldiers in her particular post.
As I type this on my laptop, readying for work in my comfortable home, I am reminded of just how fortunate we are to be here in Canada... I am humbled to know that children can endure so much violence and hardship that would destroy the strongest spirit amongst adults, but still find joy in the simple task of being able to herd their sheep again and wave at the soldiers, hopeful for a small treat...
Friday, February 15, 2008
An Email from Belinda
[snipped from original email]
I made it here finally. I'm sorry I havent called yet, all the phones are down. We are all pretty choked about that, but what can ya do? Tomorrow, I go out to my PSS. I don't know if I will have phone or internet there, but I will send you letters anyways ok. They might take a while to get there, I will be in touch with you however I can though.
So our 16 hour trip turned into 24. Longest trip of my life. We went from Edmonton to Goose bay, (worse airport ever!) to Germany, which was awesome although I only saw the airport, to CAmp ****** (IT WAS SO HOT THERE!) to Afghanistan. The first time I got any sleep since I seen you last was last night. We are a day ahead of you guys. The time change is hard to get used to for sure. I'm dead tired, but got good sleep last night. It's so cool here!! IT's really pretty beleive it or not, even though it's a desert.
*** , where I am right now, has lots of trees, it does get really dusty, feels a bit like Wainright. The day times are soooo hot, I already have a tan!!! IT makes you lethargic, I drink a couple litres of water a day for sure, you just can't quench your thirst here. But the nights are sooo cold. Only like -6, but after how it is in the day, it feels way worse.
It is good because it gives us a chance to climatize. So like I said, I leave tomorrow, there will be a letter in the mail for you. There isn't much else to report on, and sorry I couldnt send a letter seperatly, we have limited time on the computers so I am typing really fast, so excuse the poor grammar and spelling mistakes haha. Anyway, I will talk to you guys when I can, I am off tomorrow so wish me luck!!! I'm really excited!!!!! I love you all so much, miss you and see you! Kiss the 'poo' dogs for me please! Lots of love, Belinda
Oh and the mess food here is really good, weird eh? Love you!!!! :)
I made it here finally. I'm sorry I havent called yet, all the phones are down. We are all pretty choked about that, but what can ya do? Tomorrow, I go out to my PSS. I don't know if I will have phone or internet there, but I will send you letters anyways ok. They might take a while to get there, I will be in touch with you however I can though.
So our 16 hour trip turned into 24. Longest trip of my life. We went from Edmonton to Goose bay, (worse airport ever!) to Germany, which was awesome although I only saw the airport, to CAmp ****** (IT WAS SO HOT THERE!) to Afghanistan. The first time I got any sleep since I seen you last was last night. We are a day ahead of you guys. The time change is hard to get used to for sure. I'm dead tired, but got good sleep last night. It's so cool here!! IT's really pretty beleive it or not, even though it's a desert.
*** , where I am right now, has lots of trees, it does get really dusty, feels a bit like Wainright. The day times are soooo hot, I already have a tan!!! IT makes you lethargic, I drink a couple litres of water a day for sure, you just can't quench your thirst here. But the nights are sooo cold. Only like -6, but after how it is in the day, it feels way worse.
It is good because it gives us a chance to climatize. So like I said, I leave tomorrow, there will be a letter in the mail for you. There isn't much else to report on, and sorry I couldnt send a letter seperatly, we have limited time on the computers so I am typing really fast, so excuse the poor grammar and spelling mistakes haha. Anyway, I will talk to you guys when I can, I am off tomorrow so wish me luck!!! I'm really excited!!!!! I love you all so much, miss you and see you! Kiss the 'poo' dogs for me please! Lots of love, Belinda
Oh and the mess food here is really good, weird eh? Love you!!!! :)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Deployment Day
Deployment day ... February 13, 2008.
It had snowed 10+ centimetres the night before, the roads were a hellish mess and getting to the base was difficult. Once at the drill hall though, we were amongst throngs of family and friends and the soldiers themselves, getting in that last bit of visiting before the troops departed for their flight.
Belinda was in great spirits, excited and anxious to finally be off on her journey...pleased to know she would be stationed at a post with at least one of her closest friends, Durnford. We stood around visiting and were approached by 2 members of the Legion wishing to do a story on Belinda, so she spoke with them and some photos were taken. I will post the results of that interview shortly. :)
There is not alot to say about departure day because it is such an anxious affair ... all of us standing around smiling big smiles, trying to joke and converse, but the ever-present lump in our throat knowing we are minutes away from the departure of someone we love and will miss deeply.
Granparents, spouses, friends, parents, babies, toddlers, siblings ...even leashed pets... people milling about everywhere, or clustered into tight groups...camera flashes, interviews, tv cameras, or in our case...hamming it up with each other doing our family trademark "Gypsy, give me your tears" act...which we tried to teach Troy and Durnford, without a lot of luck... but they tried, lol
Finally the time came for the soldiers to go into a seperate room where they would pick up their remaining kit and board the bus. It was time to say good-bye ... You could have washed that immense drill hall's floor with the tears that flowed. I had promised myself I would remain smiling, but I smiled through wet eyes, sniffles and a cracked voice when we said goodbye. One last hug and kiss, one last picture to hold us over for the months to come till she returns home again.
She was boarding a 16 hour flight... a big airbus that would provide meals every 2 hours... I was glad for that, hoping she would fill up before she faced a lengthy diet of packaged rations. I hoped she would sleep, as I know she had not slept much in the weeks prior so consumed with thoughts of being ready for this journey.
You want to be happy for them ... they have worked so hard this past year to train for this moment. Training had intensified in the recent years, to encompass every possible scenario, to ready the troops for a culture and climate so different from our own. You want to be happy, you want to be supportive - but it is a hard thing to see your child go on a journey that you can never possibly share. In my best possible moments, reading and acquiring every ounce of knowledge I can, I will never know what it is like to be there and have those experiences. I wish I could.
We left the base and drove home in silence. Everyone lost in their thoughts, missing her already.
Now the countdown to homecoming begins... we have a loose target of 215 days which takes us to mid September, though we have been warned that October might be more likely.
She is fit and ready, very well trained... intelligent, strong, intuitive and resourceful...she is willing to take a path less travelled. She is courage and love and humanity personified. I am so very proud of her, we all are.
See you soon Boogies, good luck and god speed... we are all waiting for your return...we love you!
It had snowed 10+ centimetres the night before, the roads were a hellish mess and getting to the base was difficult. Once at the drill hall though, we were amongst throngs of family and friends and the soldiers themselves, getting in that last bit of visiting before the troops departed for their flight.
Belinda was in great spirits, excited and anxious to finally be off on her journey...pleased to know she would be stationed at a post with at least one of her closest friends, Durnford. We stood around visiting and were approached by 2 members of the Legion wishing to do a story on Belinda, so she spoke with them and some photos were taken. I will post the results of that interview shortly. :)
There is not alot to say about departure day because it is such an anxious affair ... all of us standing around smiling big smiles, trying to joke and converse, but the ever-present lump in our throat knowing we are minutes away from the departure of someone we love and will miss deeply.
Granparents, spouses, friends, parents, babies, toddlers, siblings ...even leashed pets... people milling about everywhere, or clustered into tight groups...camera flashes, interviews, tv cameras, or in our case...hamming it up with each other doing our family trademark "Gypsy, give me your tears" act...which we tried to teach Troy and Durnford, without a lot of luck... but they tried, lol
Finally the time came for the soldiers to go into a seperate room where they would pick up their remaining kit and board the bus. It was time to say good-bye ... You could have washed that immense drill hall's floor with the tears that flowed. I had promised myself I would remain smiling, but I smiled through wet eyes, sniffles and a cracked voice when we said goodbye. One last hug and kiss, one last picture to hold us over for the months to come till she returns home again.
She was boarding a 16 hour flight... a big airbus that would provide meals every 2 hours... I was glad for that, hoping she would fill up before she faced a lengthy diet of packaged rations. I hoped she would sleep, as I know she had not slept much in the weeks prior so consumed with thoughts of being ready for this journey.
You want to be happy for them ... they have worked so hard this past year to train for this moment. Training had intensified in the recent years, to encompass every possible scenario, to ready the troops for a culture and climate so different from our own. You want to be happy, you want to be supportive - but it is a hard thing to see your child go on a journey that you can never possibly share. In my best possible moments, reading and acquiring every ounce of knowledge I can, I will never know what it is like to be there and have those experiences. I wish I could.
We left the base and drove home in silence. Everyone lost in their thoughts, missing her already.
Now the countdown to homecoming begins... we have a loose target of 215 days which takes us to mid September, though we have been warned that October might be more likely.
She is fit and ready, very well trained... intelligent, strong, intuitive and resourceful...she is willing to take a path less travelled. She is courage and love and humanity personified. I am so very proud of her, we all are.
See you soon Boogies, good luck and god speed... we are all waiting for your return...we love you!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Night Before ...
Belinda leaves tomorrow morning in the late A.M.... we did a 'favorite foods' theme for supper as it'll be a few months before she gets to eat something other than army rations! Supper consisted of 2 styles of pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken w/fries and gravy, popcorn shrimp, home-made cream of mushroom soup, chocolate milk, 'triple threat' chocolate ice cream and strawberry daquiri's... A strange menu, but like I said, "favorites"!
We are over-full from eating so much but Belinda says she is "Rocking out!" :-D
She is excited about her travels tomorrow, ready to just 'get on with it already!'... A full year of intense training, she is ready to put her skills to work. She is especially excited to see and experience a new culture ...Her 8000 lbs of kit and toiletries are packed... (8ooo lbs would not be much of an exageration either...lol) She is comfy on the couch right now writing a few last-minute emails and loading music onto her ipod. A peaceful night...
We are over-full from eating so much but Belinda says she is "Rocking out!" :-D
She is excited about her travels tomorrow, ready to just 'get on with it already!'... A full year of intense training, she is ready to put her skills to work. She is especially excited to see and experience a new culture ...Her 8000 lbs of kit and toiletries are packed... (8ooo lbs would not be much of an exageration either...lol) She is comfy on the couch right now writing a few last-minute emails and loading music onto her ipod. A peaceful night...
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Countdown
Here we sit... Belinda and her fellow troops preparing to depart for Afghanistan in 2 days. She is at the base right now tending to any remaining administration chores and packing (and re-packing) her immense amount of kit and personal effects.
Did you know...
Canada Post will send your letters to the troops for free at any time and any Military Family Resource Center will send your packages and presents to overseas troops for free at any time. The link included will provide you with a list of Military Family Resource Centers near you. Just click on the link "Search Canada" and locate your province.
http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/dmfs/mfrccontact/index.asp#
If you would like to send Belinda a letter (or any soldier currently serving overseas) that you don't have an address for) contact me and I will pass on Belinda's information and the general Canadian Forces mailing address for sending a letter to fellow troops. Security being the issue that it is now and days, it is not appropriate for me to post the information here but I am prompt to reply to any emails. To send a letter or card to any soldier, you will need their rank and service number and tour rotation -but if you do not know these, not to worry, it is not difficult to tracks these down and if I can be of any help, please just send me a note.
Receiving a letter is the best kind of smile across the miles for any soldier so far from home. Many soldiers do not have family...and it is always a joy to hear from someone who wishes you well.
Tll next time,
Julie
Did you know...
Canada Post will send your letters to the troops for free at any time and any Military Family Resource Center will send your packages and presents to overseas troops for free at any time. The link included will provide you with a list of Military Family Resource Centers near you. Just click on the link "Search Canada" and locate your province.
http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/dmfs/mfrccontact/index.asp#
If you would like to send Belinda a letter (or any soldier currently serving overseas) that you don't have an address for) contact me and I will pass on Belinda's information and the general Canadian Forces mailing address for sending a letter to fellow troops. Security being the issue that it is now and days, it is not appropriate for me to post the information here but I am prompt to reply to any emails. To send a letter or card to any soldier, you will need their rank and service number and tour rotation -but if you do not know these, not to worry, it is not difficult to tracks these down and if I can be of any help, please just send me a note.
Receiving a letter is the best kind of smile across the miles for any soldier so far from home. Many soldiers do not have family...and it is always a joy to hear from someone who wishes you well.
Tll next time,
Julie
Friday, January 18, 2008
Pre-Deployment Parade and BBQ
Pre-Deployment Parade and BBQ
January 17th 2008
Belinda’s Farewell Ceremony and troops BBQ at the base. I was able to finally put faces to so many of the names I heard Belinda speak about over the past year she had been training. It was an honor to meet her closest friends.
I wanted to photograph Belinda and the hundreds of soldiers present, particularly during the national anthem, and found myself next to an elderly veteran on a second story platform overlooking the gym ...found myself very furtive in taking the photograph as I didn’t want the veteran to feel disrespected that I was snapping pictures during such a moment. I wish I had taken a picture of this old veteran as well, looking at him, knowing he was easily in his 80’s...watching his stooped spine stiffen during the National anthem, his trembling salute as he looked down upon the sea of young men and women in uniform...
Another fellow soldier going on this tour, Elton Adams, wrote and performed a song...it is beautiful... absolutely beautiful. The links are posted here, two links are from the actual performance at the pre-deployment BBQ, one is a music video that was compiled by a fellow soldier going on this same tour .... Please check out one of the video links below, well worth listening to- and pass it on!
Till next time,
Julie
The music video version with past and current photographs of Afghanistan ( and a picture of Belinda that appeared in the Edmonton Sun newspaper).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCA0med-zXI&feature=related
I asked Elton to send me the lyrics, thank you Elton ... the lyrics are as follows:
What A Soldier Left Behind
The General say's dig in deep
theres hell coming from the sky
Just one thought to remember
how your family's doing tonight
Johnny say's he loves her
as he closes his eye's
Sara cries for her mother
on the field where she lye's
Chorus
They did it for the nation
so we don't have to hide
so on this cold and lonely evening
you don't have to cry
Waiting by the telephone
their's a scared and worried wife
He said he'd be home soon
just before he kissed his children goodbye
A quiet knock at the front door
and tears came to her eyes
So sad to lose another
her little girl will be in her dreams tonight
Chorus
Before you say goodnight to your loved one's
please keep in mind
The bed you tuck them in is the bed
a soldier left behind
Chorus X2
You don't have to cry X2
We don't have to hide
January 17th 2008
Belinda’s Farewell Ceremony and troops BBQ at the base. I was able to finally put faces to so many of the names I heard Belinda speak about over the past year she had been training. It was an honor to meet her closest friends.
I wanted to photograph Belinda and the hundreds of soldiers present, particularly during the national anthem, and found myself next to an elderly veteran on a second story platform overlooking the gym ...found myself very furtive in taking the photograph as I didn’t want the veteran to feel disrespected that I was snapping pictures during such a moment. I wish I had taken a picture of this old veteran as well, looking at him, knowing he was easily in his 80’s...watching his stooped spine stiffen during the National anthem, his trembling salute as he looked down upon the sea of young men and women in uniform...
Another fellow soldier going on this tour, Elton Adams, wrote and performed a song...it is beautiful... absolutely beautiful. The links are posted here, two links are from the actual performance at the pre-deployment BBQ, one is a music video that was compiled by a fellow soldier going on this same tour .... Please check out one of the video links below, well worth listening to- and pass it on!
Till next time,
Julie
The music video version with past and current photographs of Afghanistan ( and a picture of Belinda that appeared in the Edmonton Sun newspaper).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCA0med-zXI&feature=related
I asked Elton to send me the lyrics, thank you Elton ... the lyrics are as follows:
What A Soldier Left Behind
The General say's dig in deep
theres hell coming from the sky
Just one thought to remember
how your family's doing tonight
Johnny say's he loves her
as he closes his eye's
Sara cries for her mother
on the field where she lye's
Chorus
They did it for the nation
so we don't have to hide
so on this cold and lonely evening
you don't have to cry
Waiting by the telephone
their's a scared and worried wife
He said he'd be home soon
just before he kissed his children goodbye
A quiet knock at the front door
and tears came to her eyes
So sad to lose another
her little girl will be in her dreams tonight
Chorus
Before you say goodnight to your loved one's
please keep in mind
The bed you tuck them in is the bed
a soldier left behind
Chorus X2
You don't have to cry X2
We don't have to hide
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Belinda's Overseas Blog
This is the first entry to Belinda's overseas blog. Conditions being what they are over there, with very limited communication, Belinda decided a blog would be a great place for her to touch base with all her family and friends whether through her own journaling and photographs, or calls/emails that I will share here. Every soldier wants to touch base with all of their family and friends but on the rare occasion she can get to a computer, there would not be enough time to check 50+ emails in her inbox with fellow soldiers lined up behind her waiting for their turn too... so this is everyone's blog...please feel free to share here. One central location for everyone and allowing Belinda a chance to connect with everyone she cares about when her time and resources are so limited.
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