Some days aren't always the same

Sorry for the time gap in posts. Sometimes I am either to busy or just way to tired. I did have an experience worth posting to my loved ones.

I was helping take down a tent and getting rid of some expired medical supplies a couple of days ago. Just as we had finished rolling up the tent one of the medics came out of the ER and asked us if we would help bring a gun shot victim into the hospital, the man would be landing by helicopter in about five mins.

We suited up and went out with the stretcher to meet the bird. The helicopter came in and we moved in to bring the afghan national off. He had been shot in the chest by special forces a few towns away, for reasons I would find out later, but cannot discuss on here. The man was soaked in blood as we took him off the bird and moved him away from the helipad. As we stopped to check him for weapons or explosive devices I saw him reach out and grab the hand of one of the soldiers helping to bring him in. I am sure it was just out of pure fear of death that he needed the human contact. Over the chopper taking off again I could hear him mumbling to himself over and over again. We go into the hospital and brought him straight to the medical staff that had already prepared for his arrival. As I moved away, I took the blood stained blanket that had been covering him and disposed of it. As I watched the soldier medics work furiously around the patient like a well rehearsed dance I had just noticed the blood that was covering my hands and wrists.

Sometimes I question the reasons I stayed in the military. I think all soldiers do from time to time. The politics and backstabbing can truly crush the positive things you get out of serving. Today was not one of those days. What a truly moving experience to bring a human being near death to a life saving facility. To stand in awe of those trained to heal and provide care for the sick and dying. The adrenaline of that moment will stay with me. More opportunities will come I am sure, but like they always say, you always remember your first. For men and women serving its never been about the big picture. It is always about your small impact in that specific place and in that specific time in which you were called to serve that will matter the most.

It was a very good day.

(sidenote: I did wash my hands and arms about four times after I took the gloves off. I have no idea where that man has been!)

My room?

 Okay I kind of figured out my camera issue. In the first installment of "Holy crap, I am in Afghanistan!" The pictures you are viewing are of my room. It is actually so small that I had to take  the picture from an aerial view, it is hard to tell if the pictures came out or not. These were the best two I could get. So, my bed is the left in this first picture. When it gets really windy the tent smack's me in the face as I sleep. All in all a good place to rest. (refer to last post about wind) If you are slow...I am constantly getting smacked in the face.                    




My desk is on the left. Korin should take note of the fan which I turn on every night regardless of the temperature. Who doesn't like cool air hitting their face when they sleep.

Important thing to remember is that I have some privacy. I have a make shift sliding door and a place to call home.

Man, my home sucks.............

                                                                                                                                                                 

Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Okay so Sunday it was 70 degrees and sunny with some clouds, but lots of sunshine. I don't have to say there was wind, because there is always wind. When you ask me how is the weather is just say in your brain after I say its hot/cold/nice/rainy etc. and windy. 

Today it dropped down to 30 degrees and like most of the Afghanistan workers that clean the port o johns caught me completely off guard. I even said this morning that I loved the weather because it was a really nice cool day (with wind). Then it drops like a brick and I can't pull my cold weather gear out of my duffel bag fast enough. 

Interesting sidenote: I had a corn dog for dinner today and what I think may have been meatloaf. Outcome: both were good. Search of a good cheeseburger: Unsuccessful. 

SSG Hoskinson, Charles

684TH ASMC 

SHINDAND, AIRBASE

APO AE 09382

Another off topic, if you want to send me something. Please send me anything, nothing is off limits, except for porn/drugs/guns. Don't send me PDG and everything is good. What to send me? Anything! It really doesn't matter. Getting mail is like the only surprise I get while I am here and unless you are putting your child's poo or your animals poo and sending me that (I am watching you Justin) I do not care. I dont' like candy that much but I have a weak spot for M&M's (peanut, plain, dark chocolate). Snacks, drink mixes, books, magazines, fresh made cookies (I love chocolate chip made from scratch) or even a note in a card. It doesn't matter, everyone likes getting mail.

Since I covered that and none of these words have anything to do with the title, I just had a smile at it and thought of Ace Ventura jumping around in the jeep singing to that fat guy. Someone gets some extra freedom this weekend if they can tell me the fat guys name in the movie!