Notes From Afghanistan Part 6

Again, it has taken a bit of time to actually sit down and update this thing with what is going on out here. If they would only let me access this from a government computer I might actually get to do it more often. But that would take an excuse away from why I am slow at updating. Being stuck at an outlying position waiting for a flight or ride back has given me a decent amount of time so I figured I'd get on an MWR computer and post a quick update.

Since the last post Ramadan has ended and we saw September 11th come and go. Eid out here was interesting with people traveling all over the place and celebratory gunfire from the locals each of the three nights. It was an eye-opening experience to be in a Muslim country for both Ramadan and Eid. And apparently there is another Eid in November which is affectionately known as "Big Eid" from our linguists. I can't imagine how much of a party this one day will be.

RP and I continue to travel around seeing the guys and they are all doing well. We recently attended the "soft opening" of a school out here. I say soft because it seems that we always do some big event twice. The first time a few people show up almost to make sure we really planned on doing what we said when we said. That results in a true event a few days later after the local elder goes out and tells everyone that we mean what we say and will be there. At first I thought it was an issue of mistrust, but I actually think it is ingrained into the culture as often as it happens and as widespread it is across villages and districts out here.

We had another run at the FOB on September 11th in conjunction with the Chicago 1/2 Marathon and 5K. This time 123 people showed up to run a 5K (actually 3.4 miles) that morning and it was enjoyed by all. I am amazed that running in the morning would be such a hit out here and continues to be the thing I arrange that actually draws people out to participate. I think it has something to do with the fact that we get a chance to feel like we are back home for the few minutes that we are running with numbers attached to our chests. Hopefully we can get one more done before we head back home.

Both RP and I are approaching a milestone in that we have our Fleet Marine Force boards scheduled for this week (if we ever get back to the FOB). This is a qualification program to demonstrate we have grasped the many aspects of the USMC mission and its history. It takes quite a while and is a requirement for RP while stationed with a FMF unit and I wanted to get it done to do some in depth learning about what my Marines do, etc. All we need is to get back and make our scheduled boards. A few prayers that we can get back would be appreciated.

Peachtree in Afghanistan

Participants lined up at the start of the race (Photo taken by one of our civilian contractors)

In my short time here with the Marines and Sailors of 1/9 I have been looking for something that would really spark their interest. We planned a Superbowl party this past February with limited attendance, despite offering alcohol (and designated drivers and a duty van). We get little to no interest in other activities we plan to take their minds off the job and give them a bit of a break from the grind of being Marines. Until yesterday. There are about 400 or so Marines, Sailors and civilians on our FOB. We had 100 register to run the Peachtree Road Race yesterday morning. Who would have guessed that the best attended event of the chaplain would be a 6.8 mile (our loop didn’t permit the normal 10k distance) run, at 0530, in the heat of July, in Afghanistan. It amazes me that the guys turned out in such numbers for a race. I was completely surprised. It must have been the idea that for an hour or so they were able to get off the FOB and be in unison with people in Atlanta in running a 10K with 60,000 other people.

The race organizers at the Peachtree are simply amazing. I have run the event in Atlanta four times previously and enjoyed each one of them. I remembered a few years ago that they were honoring those serving overseas by allowing them the opportunity to run the race while deployed. So, in March I started doing some research to see if they still offered that deal to the guys. The website doesn’t advertise the program, so I was worried it was a one time deal at the beginning of our involvement over here. I decided to call the office and see if they still had that program. And boy do they still have the program. They mailed me 150 race numbers specially made for those serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait along with 150 shirts of varying sizes instead of one or two sizes (which the guys really appreciated), and a 14.5 foot banner (now hanging in our MWR tent) which was identical to the start banner with the addition of “Afghanistan Division” in the lower center portion.

All of that came in a few weeks ago and I was sworn to secrecy about the shirts and told we couldn’t post any photos until after the race had begun in Atlanta. This wasn’t hard as very few people have permission to post photos from over here. I started taking names earlier in the week and it was going slow at first and then the momentum built up to the 100 that ran it yesterday. We got placed some water on the course but I didn’t need to as some of the contractors that work in the chow hall took it upon themselves to pass out water to those running. And we had another group out there for the hour or so cheering guys along on the run. Two civilians stayed out on the course taking photos of the guys running. Marines that didn’t run were also poking their heads out of offices and tents talking with the runners and taking photos. One other highlight was that I called into the race start line at 0530 our time which was 2100 Atlanta time and they started the race for us on Peachtree Street. A retired Army officer gave me the countdown and they fired a starting gun and I heard some loud cheering in the background. They took some photos of that start and will email them to us. They also mentioned that CNN was filming the start as well. Everything that the people of the Peachtree did as well as the support from those not running gave this the feel of a major race and for an hour we were running the streets of Atlanta.



Exercise + Donuts = Insanity

So I took a small study break yesterday morning and headed over to the NC State campus for the craziest running event I have ever seen. The Krispy Kreme Challenge. I did this last year as well and really enjoyed the idea and watching everything in action. Plus, all the proceeds go to the UNC Children's Hospital ($35K to be exact). As a disclaimer, I didn't attempt the full challenge, I just go to watch and get a little exercise.

So for those brave enough to give it a go:

Run 2 miles from the NC State Belltower (a local landmark) to the Krispy Kreme
Eat a dozen Krispy Kremes (cold ones)
Run 2 miles back
Do it in less than 60 minutes

You can just imagine what happens to most of the participants and there was plenty of evidence on the street. I have put a few photos from the event below. I must say, it is nice to go to a race that the overwhelming majority don't really care about the time. There are always creative costumes and team names and everyone I met was friendly and joking around the entire run. I even met some USNA types that had gotten liberty just to come and run the race. I plan to run again next year to watch and help out the kids.


Festivities at the Krispy Kreme



People eating their donuts, notice the guy with the duct tape, he taped speakers and an iPod to his body to provide tunes for everyone on the race course.


5200 runners lining up. You can see some of the costumes in the crowd.