The Marines are continuing to work hard and as a result everything in our area of operations has been going well. We are responsible for an area that runs from Mian Poshteh to south of Lakari along the Helmand River. Search Garmsir, Afghanistan, or try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=garmsir,+afghanistan&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.646818,56.162109&i
e=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Garmsir,+Helmand+Province,+Afghanistan&ll=30.901341,64.15432&spn=0.066872,0.109692&t=h&z=13
The days typically consist of Marines at the numerous patrol bases conducting patrols in the morning and in the afternoon. They focus primarily on ensuring the area is secure so that the local people can carry on with their normal lives. Marines hold shuras--or town meetings--with the local Afghan leaders on a weekly basis to identify problems and work together to come up with solutions that benefit the local people. We also work with the Afghan people to assist them with their agricultural and economic development. This is done by building projects that improve roads, canals and irrigation, encourage agriculture cooperatives, and improve overall farming practices. Another important thing we assist with is the building of schools for all of the kids in the area. I am almost certain that despite the population of the area being only roughly 80,000, that there are somehow 8 billion kids here. You cannot turn a corner on patrol without seeing children. Whether they are attending one of the local schools, playing soccer, asking Marines for everything in their pockets, working in the fields, herding animals, riding donkeys, or jumping into the canals, they are ever-present. The love high-fives, English phrases, asking for things, and our attempts at Pashto phrases. Lesson 1: [Phonetically] "Sing-gay" means "What's up." We all live with our Afghan Army partners, or our Afghan Police partners. Working as a team with them allows us to engage the locals more effectively. They speak the language, understand the culture, and know the people and the area very well. Working with them has helped us greatly and is a key to our overall success. The Marines and Afghan soldiers are getting along well. It reminds me of the movie Step Brothers: it was kind of awkward at first with a lot of sizing up on both sides, but then after a while they started to like each other and work well together. They'll be karate-chopping watermelons together very soon. As for now, we are going to continue to work and live among the Afghan people to improve the overall situation and make sure we keep the Taliban out of the area. It's getting hot, but on the plus side, watermelon season approaches. We've included some pictures for the newsletter, and we will be uploading some more, as we get them from the patrol bases, onto our page. You can find our page by searching: 1st Battalion 3rd Marines Alpha Co. The children attending school next door to COP Sharp have challenged the Marines to a soccer game. Depending on the outcome--we'll let you know how it goes. Thank you for your support, all the packages and letters you have been sending, and keeping us in your thoughts. Semper Fidelis
