Afghanistan - Day 15 - Appreciation

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. Oh, the beautiful rain that washes the sky and keeps the dust from coating me with a layer of suffocating grit. With a bounce in my step I headed off to the shower connex (pre-fabricated building that looks like a shipping container) and cleaned myself up. A shave and a shower for my last day of teaching seemed in order.

Towards the end of the class Chief Quenga and Major Brown showed up at the door. After I started the students on the final lab exercise I went back and chatted with them. They asked about how the classes went (I assured them that things went well). And then they asked about my impression of the facilities - Was everything OK? How was the classroom? How was the tent? I assured them that not only were the facilities serviceable, but in the process I had gained a greater appreciation for the servicemembers who have to endure these conditions for 12-18 months at a time. They then presented me with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the company commander and the company's ranking Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer). Along with the certificate, Major Brown gave me the Commander's Coin - a token of appreciation given for outstanding service.

I was deeply touched. For the past two weeks I have had nothing but a growing admiration and appreciation for the men and women who have volunteered to wear the uniforms of our nation's Armed Forces. All this time I was careful about not getting in their way, being considerate of their needs and their feelings. I came knowing I'd be out of here in two weeks, and they were here for a year or more. And now, Major Brown is telling me that he and the others are deeply appreciative that I would come all this way to help their efforts by delivering this training to his people.

I almost blurted out, "Well sir, I was just doing my job." But I caught myself. After all, that is what every soldier has said to me about being deployed here. And I didn't want to minimize their efforts by cheaply parrotting their words, though I began to understand their sentiments. The rest of the day the weight of the coin in my pocket kept me from floating away in a cloud of overwhelming feeling. Why was I feeling this way?

Because I was appreciated. For doing my job.

Next time you see a veteran, take a moment and express your appreciation for their service. We may never agree completely on issues of foreign policy, but we can all be grateful to the people who choose to serve us and represent us all over the world.

After all, they deserve our appreciation.