Day 155

Unless you are living under a rock, you know today is the 10 year anniversary of 9/11...the day that cowards flew jet planes into the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and unfortunately for the hijackers, one last plane crashed in Shanksville, PA...very short of their target in Washington, D.C. On that day, I lived in Colorado Springs and never did I think I'd be sitting in Afghanistan 10 years later as a direct result of that attack. No, I really don't think the tug would've been nearly as strong for me to return to the Navy had we not gotten involved in two wars. Seeing so many of my countrymen and women head to war really wore on me and compelled me...pulled me...pushed me back in. No, I do not regret it. Yes, I miss my family more than you can imagine.

So...the last 24 hours...well, we were attacked more fiercely than any other time since I've been here last night. We had a 3-layered rocket attack last night that were piggy-backed on each other. In the end, a few Air Force folks were hurt and a few local nationals killed. Any loss of life is tragic but I am thankful it wasn't much worse. "Much worse" happened just to my east. I'm not spilling secret info by telling you because it's all over the news and online. A Taliban insurgent loaded up a truck with firewood and explosives (which we call a Vehicle-Borne IED (Improvised Explosive Device)) and drove it into the wall of a base. A few nationals were killed and 66 Army soldiers were wounded and taken to multiple bases for treatment. Ours was one, of course, as we have the best facility around. By midnight last night, it was full. Remember the SEALs who perished in the Chinook? It was in the same Wardak Province, a stronghold of the Taliban. Tonight, ironically, it's been quiet. My guess is that the enemy wanted to attack on the eve of 9/11 to try and surprise us. If you read Taliban news releases, you'll read that they said they had nothing to do with 9/11. That actually may be true. However, when we came to Afghanistan in October 2001 to get Osama Bin Laden, they were protecting him and refused to give him up. At the time, the Taliban controlled this country.

So this morning, I awoke very early for the 9.11K Patriot Run. As I sat in the shuttle for the ride over, I found out it was canceled and running was not permitted outside. Thanks, Taliban...thanks a lot. Now you're messing with my running. Not cool..not cool at all. I went back to my room and crawled in bed and watched some NASCAR which was on from Richmond, VA. I got some more zzzzz's, Skype'd with my girls then headed on in to the office for only about 4 or 5 hours. Afterwards, I made the decision to skip my evening run that I always do on Sundays. That seems to be when the enemy always rockets us anymore and being 9/11, I just didn't want to risk it. I just want to go home, you know?! So, I stayed in and watched the memorial services kick off from Ground Zero. Afterwards, Dorothy and I spent over an hour and a half on Skype. Technology is priceless to me over here...it really is. I pay $70 a month for slow, crummy internet..but I'd pay double for the connectivity with home. I really would. Dorothy is doing well but like me, has had it with the deployment and being apart...as have I. We are ready to be together again.

Afterwards, it was already 7pm so I laced up the boots again and got some dinner. When I returned, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Trace Adkins was performing LIVE in Germany with the USO and it was being broadcast throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm a big fan, already, and to see him performing for the troops again...for the 6th time, I watched it all. No, 9/11 is not a time for celebration and neither was his concert, but it was a nice diversion from the reality of being here.

Goodnight, everyone.