Today's News Update

From Afghanistan:

 

 

Afghan Soldier Holds Record For Finding IEDs: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/afghan-soldier-holds-record-for-finding-ieds.html

 

 

A Look Across Afghanistan: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/a-look-across-afghanistan-protecting-the-people-6.html

 

 

Afghan Police: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/hundreds-of-afghan-police-pass-final-examinations-in-herat.html

 

 

Operations: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/isaf-ansf-respond-to-attack-in-musa-qaleh.html

 

 

Operations: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-30-afghan-isaf-operations-in-helmand-kandahar-badghis.html

 

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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Absolutely Hilarious

From Delta Bravo Sierra.... Absolutely Hilarious...

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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Today's News Update

From Afghanistan:

 

Super Shura: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/nad-ali-super-shura-attracts-more-than-1-100.html

 

 

AF-PAK Hands: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/af-pak-hands-strives-for-continuity-in-isaf-mission.html

 

 

Taliban Reintegration: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/taliban-reintegrated-in-baghlan.html

 

 

Operations: (From ISAF/IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-29-afghan-isaf-operations-in-eastern-southern-northern-afghanistan.html

 

 

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

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Today's News Update

From Afghanistan:

 

 

Afghan Victory Day Celebrated in Kabul: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/afghan-victory-day-celebrated-in-kabul.html

 

 

Building Trust: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/a-look-across-afghanistan-building-trust.html

 

 

New Agriculture Techniques: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/new-techniques-on-display-in-farah.html

 

 

Operations: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-28-afghan-isaf-operations-in-helmand-ghazni-badghis.html

 

 

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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Today's News Update

From Afghanistan:

 

 

AF-PAK Hands: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/af-pak-hands-strives-for-continuity-in-isaf-mission.html

 

 

Afghan First Policy: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/nato-ministers-launch-afghan-first-policy.html

 

 

A Look Across Afghanistan: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/a-look-across-afghanistan-partnering-with-afghan-national-security-forces.html

 

 

Operations: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-24-afghan-isaf-operations-in-kunduz-khost-helmand.html

 

 

Medical Outreach: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/news.html

 

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

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For Those In The Kansas City / Fort Leavenworth Area!

This sounds like a great event!!  Thanks Chuck!!

 

It is a Veterans and Family Appreciation Day being held on Saturday May 15th, 2010 from 12 Noon to 4PM. It will be held at the Heritage Center, 109 Delaware Street, Leavenworth Kansas (100% handicap accessible).

 

This is for all Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, Family Members, Retired, and Families of deployed service members.

 

It is being sponsored by VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, American Red Cross, and Soldiers Angels.

 

Lunch is provided by Famous Dave's BBQ. There will be Door Prizes, Childrens Activities, Live Entertainment, and resources / information for Military Families and Veterans. Each child will also receive a free ticket to ride the carousel at the CW Parker Museum nearby.

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

 

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Today's News Stories

From Afghanistan:

 

14 US Soldiers Receive Bundeswehr Medal For Valor: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/fourteen-u.s.-soldiers-receive-bundeswehr-medal-for-valor.html

 

Afghan Elections: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/international-security-assistance-force-supports-afghan-elections.html

 

Operations: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-22-afghan-isaf-operations-in-eastern-southern-afghanistan.html

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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A Good Day Part Two

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A Good Day

I have a number of pictures to post of my day today, but still need to get to a different internet connection. Those will be posted seperately but are tied to this post.

 

I had the great honor a couple of months ago to communicate with Mr Greg Mortenson, the author of the book, "Three Cups Of Tea." In his book, Mr Mortenson details how understanding and building schools and other facilities can go a great distance to helping the individual people and local villages / groups within Afghanistan, and build that bridge of trust and understanding. He is truly an American Hero for his work that he has done.

 

With these thoughts in the back of my head, we visited a shop that sells rugs today, that are created by a local orphanage.  The orphanage cares for the children, and teaches them a trade and educates them. Now, I still have a lot of work and coordination to do, but I deffinitely want to help this orphanage with what we can. So much more to follow on that in the coming weeks. Im very excited about it though.

 

But beyond all the big words. Beyond all the big concepts. Beyond all the political dialogue on why we are here. Very much so, in my mind, these children that you will meet in the coming pictures are a major reason why we are here. Under the Taliban they would not have been allowed to play like this. They would not have have had the freedom to be children. That is a very large part of why we are here. As we talk about making Afghanistan a more stabile and prosperous country, these children are who we are doing it for. The older generations have grown up knowing only war. I know that with this younger generation they may have memories of war, but hope they know only peace.

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

 

 

 

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Today's News Stories

From Afghanistan:

 

Partnering with Afghan Security Forces: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/a-look-across-afghanistan-partnering-with-afghan-national-security-forces.html

 

Building Relationships: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/a-look-across-afghanistan-developing-relationships.html

 

New Schools Opening: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/one-hundred-school-buildings-constructed-in-paktya-province-over-past-two-years-2.html

 

Balkh Girl's School: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/balkh-girls-school-gets-needed-supplies.html

 

New Radio Station In Herat: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/regional-command-west-opens-radio-station-in-herat.html

 

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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New Post

Very excited about tonights post. Spent the day out and about in the city meeting some wonderful people. Have a great amount of pictures to show you what Kabul looks like. Just need to wait until tonight to start uploading pictures.

 

Hope everyone is having a great early morning!

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

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Quote of the Day

"Once you say your going to settle for second, thats what happens to you in life"

 

-- President John F Kennedy

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

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Current News From Afghanistan

From Afghanistan:

 

Operations: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-21-afghan-isaf-operations-in-helmand-kandahar-kunar.html

 

Change of Leadership in the West: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/isaf-leadership-in-west-changes.html

 

Security: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/international-security-assistance-force-supports-afghan-elections.html

 

Government: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/strengthening-the-rule-of-law-in-afghanistan.html

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

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Things that make you think.....

Just sitting here wondering with all that is going in the world, not to mention Iraq and Afghanistan....why the fact that actor Kal Penn was robbed today is news worthy??

 

Thats all....just things that make you think....

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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Quote of the Day

"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger"

 

-- President John F Kennedy

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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Current News

From Afghanistan:

 

Kandahar City Deputy Mayor: (From BBC): http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8631683.stm

 

Earthquake: (From CNN): http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/19/afghanistan.quake/

 

Afghan Border Patrol Leader: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/afghan-border-patrol-leader-inspects-outpost-meets-local-villagers.html

 

Operations: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-20-afghan-isaf-operations-in-kandahar-zabul-helmand.html

 

Afghan National Security Forces: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/news/a-look-across-afghanistan-afghan-national-security-forces.html

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

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First 100 days

Well its been almost a hundred days since I returned back to Afghanistan and I wanted to take a moment and talk about what Ive seen so far. This is in no particular order, and may be very long winded strings of thought since it is still swirling around in my head, but I thought it was important to give an update of sorts.

 

First off, anyone who says we're losing the war is just plain out of touch with reality. When I left in 2008, I will be very honest, I had some concerns. I can truthfully say I don't anymore. The strategy change that was executed here in Afghanistan is dead on the money. The Command listens, and adapts as needed. Our leadership is pursuing the War in the way that it needs to be.

 

The Afghans are in the lead and doing exceptionally well. It is their Country, and they are fighting for it and paying the price for it everyday. I've never been prouder than standing beside them in this struggle, or as you would say in Dari, "Shohna Ba Shohna", Shoulder To Shoulder.

 

The Coalition is strong. As I look around and see fellow service members of four US Armed Services, and 9 different Countries (and that is just in my little AO) this is a Multi-National NATO Force. All working together to assist the Afghans in making their Country more secure, stronger, and safe for their people and their children.

 

Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard are taking the fight to the enemy everyday alongside their Afghan partners. There is truly no corner of this country that is safe for taliban extremism. They are also at the same time executing humanitarian assistance missions, medical support missions, and assisting places like orphanages and schools. Our young Men and Women serving are truly a National Treasure.

 

The American People have every reason to be proud of their young Men and Women serving here, and know that things are going in the right direction. Do we still have much to do?  Yes, most deffinitely! But, we are going in the right direction, as part of a Combined Team especially with our Afghan Partners, that will leave Afghanistan a secure and stabile country.

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

 

 

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Current News Stories From Iraq And Afghanistan

Iraq:

Top Al Qaeda Leaders Killed: (From The NY Times): http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/world/middleeast/20baghdad.html?src=mv

Afghanistan:

Suicide Bomb Group Captured: (From RadioFreeEurope): http://www.rferl.org/content/Officials_Suicide_Bomb_Group_Captured_In_Kabul/2018259.html

Blast at Army Base near Kabul: (From Washington Post): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/19/AR2010041901957.html

Afghan Officials Hold Shura, Distribute Aid: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/afghan-officials-hold-shura-distribute-supplies-in-zabul.html

Afghan-ISAF Operations: (From ISAF / IJC): http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/apr.-19-afghan-isaf-operations-in-eastern-southern-afghanistan.html

God Bless America

Bryan

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Quote of the Day

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men."

 

-- President John F Kennedy

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

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Sunday Salute

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I had to pass this along. Shelle is absolutely awesome, a wonderful friend, and does more for our Troops than I can even keep up with. I have no idea how she does:) But she does! So if you can, I would highly recommend tuning in today!

 

"Shelle Michaels (www.twitter.com/publicrelations), National Communication Officer for Soldiers' Angels ( www.soldiersangels.org) was approached by Stacy and Nick from www.urlradio.net about doing a service member salute radio show in honor of the troops, veterans, their families and the businesses and organizations out there that go above and beyond in their efforts to assure that our troops are supported. Michaels quickly embraced this opportunity to showcase the military in all their glory through her favorite mediums-- Social Media! Soldiers' Angels will always be in the spotlight of this two hour radio show, but as always, Soldiers' Angels works wingtip-to-wingtip with other organizations and will mingle with them socially as well.
 
URL (U Rock Lately) Radio is a local radio station on a national stage, the Internet. It's a station for the people and by the people. U R in charge. U R keepin' it local. U decide the music. U decide the programming. U R important. U Rock! U R the future of radio.
 
We're changing the face of radio and yet getting back to the basics. We're taking the good old days of local radio, with local on air talent, requests, dedications, programming and focus and moving it to the internet. URL radio can do something else local radio stations can't — go anywhere without downloading software. If you are at work, more than likely, you can get us. If you are traveling out of state for business, more than likely, you can get us. If you are vacationing, more than likely, you can get us. If you've moved away and still want to keep in touch, you can get us. If you are stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere globally, you can get us. As long as you have internet access, you can get us. Within the next couple years, internet access will be available almost everywhere: cars, tractors, televisions, it's even spread to phones.
 
This really is the future of radio and we're excited to be at the forefront. Lock us in www.URLradio.net and listen to the #SundaySalute every Sunday from 1600-1800 (CST). Email ShelleMichaels@urlradio.net if you would like a request or to be a guest on the show. For updates fan #SundaySalute on Facebook - www.facebook.com/SundaySalute and follow on twitter at www.twitter.com/sundaysalute.
 
While there is a captive audience, check out the recent recap of the Milblog Conference 2010 hosted in Arlington, Virginia last weekend: http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=213558. "

 

God Bless America and all of our wonderful Troop Supporters out there!

 

Bryan

 

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Groundhog Day

A lot of you have written asking questions along the lines of, what is it like being deployed?

 

I think I'll take that question a post at a time. But here is something that doesnt seem like a big thing, but it makes life quite interesting.

 

I just yelled across the room at a couple buddies and asked what day is it? Every single one of us had to stop and think for a minute before we figured out its Saturday. Its a funny thing like that...days begin to lose meaning.

 

Now if you ask the question of how long until your R and R Leave or how long until you go home that person comes back within seconds and can give you an answer.

 

It's just a little difference that you don't realize until you take a moment to think about it. But it is a profound difference in how you think about time.

 

Hope all of you are having a great weekend now that I've figured out it's Saturday!:)

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

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Operation Write Home

I wrote a post about a week ago talking about how wonderful the groups of cards were that we had received from the States. I ended by saying thank you to whomever it was since I didnt know, even though I didnt know if they would ever read the post. Well I know who they are now:)

 

I received a great deal of comments last night on that posting from Operation Write Home, and the cards were sent by them! What a great group of Ladies and Gentlemen. I will include their link to their website at the bottom of the post.

 

Unfortunately I can not write back in the comments section of the blog since I am having to submit my posts via email. But, I can read the comments that readers make also by email, so I wanted to make sure I replied to all your kind comments and say thank you!

 

Thank You all very much! You are providing something for us, that is truly not normally available, and allowing not only us, but our families moments of joy that I can not begin to describe. Thank You very much from the bottom of our hearts!!

 

http://operationwritehome.org/VmfiY/

 

God Bless America

 

Bryan

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Some of my favorite quotes

"All that is necessary for the triumph of Evil, is for Good men to do nothing"

-- Edmund Burke

"No Sacrifice, No Victory"

-- Optimus Prime

"Strength and Honor"

-- General Maximus (Russel Crowe)

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty"

-- President John F Kennedy

God Bless America

Bryan

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Random Photos From Kabul

A lot of people have asked me for photos from here in Afghanistan, so here is just a few that I was able to snap today in downtown Kabul. What you will see is Massoud Traffic Circle...one of the main traffic circles in Kabul and the view from a couple of the main streets.

I am also testing a way to post my blogs from email. Hopefully it will work and allow me to blog more frequently. Here is hoping that it works out!

God Bless America

Bryan

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Care Packages

A lot of people have written asking me what should they send in care packages to the Troops. And by no means is this a solicitation or the absolute answer. I've always felt kinda silly to be honest saying the typical things that Ive seen a million times before or stating the things that can't be sent. But, today I saw something that I had not seen talked about and I thought would be something useful to pass along.

Cards...yup....regular generic greeting cards. I dont mean the expensive kind...but just very simple greeting cards. The ones that I saw today were a box of cards people had made. Trust me..they were gone in about 5 minutes flat. The reason I say this is that most PX's (if your lucky eneough to be on a FOB with a PX) usually dont carry cards. At least in my personal experience. So finding something as simple as a birthday card or Easter card is pretty difficult. This very simple sounding thing, would be hugely appreciated. I know I did today.

So to the Ladies who sent them, I dont know if you'll ever even read this, but thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. Your gift was greatly appreciated.

God Bless America

Bryan Sphere: Related Content

Comments about the Military

A lot of times I see stories in the news and comments made about them and just do the virtual “walk-by” because the comments are so ludicrous. This one I could not though. Warning --- there is some very derogatory comments made in the comments section ---


http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/06/man-loses-5-family-members-in-disputed-nato-raid/#comments

What you’ll find is a story about an Afghan man claiming that his family was murdered by NATO forces. I'm not going to say anything else about that part of the story since it is my understanding that an investigation is ongoing and honestly it’s not my place. What I do want to discuss is the comments made by readers.

The derogatory comments made, focus around the general thought that all Soldiers are a bunch of murdering, rapist, thugs. One person even goes so far as to say that as long as the Military is comprised of the bottom 10% of society, what do you expect. This is the area of the article I want to rebuke.

First off, bottom 10% of society. Thanks for your elitist attitude. Just because we didn’t go to some Ivy League school? Just because maybe we grew up on the wrong side of the tracks? Maybe it’s that we had to work for everything we ever wanted? The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard Sailors I know are some of the best men and women I have ever had the distinct pleasure to meet and to lead. They would literally give you the shirt off of their back even if they were freezing themselves. Their sense of honor and right is impeccable. They joined the military for many reasons; serve their Country, do the right thing, money to go to College, learn a vital skill. But none, because they wanted to be some sort of thug. I would suggest you check your facts….and I would request CNN pull comments that are outright untrue and outright wrong.

Secondly, about civilian casualties. I have seen Soldiers put themselves between danger and civilians so many times I cannot even begin to count them anymore. There is the famous picture from Iraq of a young Iraqi boy hiding behind an American Soldier after a terrorist attack. Nothing could be a more accurate depiction of the truth. Our Troops, whether it is actively protecting civilians, or bringing food and medicine to outlying villages, or helping orphanages here in Kabul are some of the most caring and kind people in the world. They truly are not just protecting the American People, but also on a daily basis protecting and assisting the Iraqi and Afghan people.

I don’t fault CNN for these comments. They published a news story, but the comments disgusted me. I would ask CNN to pull the more inflammatory and malicious ones, and also for all of America to remember that their best young men and women, our Precious National Treasure is overseas fighting a war, and spilling much of that National Treasure to keep you safe.

God Bless America

Bryan Sphere: Related Content

Bake Me A Wish Birthday Cakes

I don't have that long to write but I had to give a huge thank you to the wonderful people at Bake Me A Wish! led by Mr. Josh Kaye.

Along with and in conjunction with Soldier's Angels they bake Birthday Cakes for deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard, and I have to tell you they are incredibly delicious and decadent!

We received a special package from them this past weekend, just in time for Easter, and a number of our personnel's birthdays. I can not even begin to tell you how special it made the day.

A huge thank you to all of you, and a huge thank you to Mr. Josh Kaye and Soldier's Angels. I can not say eneough about you. Thank You!

God Bless America

Bryan Sphere: Related Content