GREAT STORY... you'll never see in the news!

Injured Afghan Civilian Returns Home a Hero after fighting off Taliban Intruders
BYLINE: U.S. Air Force TSgt Laura K. Smith

HERAT, Afghanistan—An injured Afghan civilian returned to his home in Baghdis province after two weeks of treatment in the Spanish medical facility at Camp Arena, Dec. 24.

The 25-year-old Afghan, referred to as Mohammad to protect him from retaliation, was shot in the leg during an attack on his village by Taliban insurgents who were looking to steal supplies of food and clothing. On Dec. 10, six armed insurgents entered the village that morning, but did not accomplish their mission.

“The Taliban came to my home looking for supplies. We didn’t want to give them our food,” said Mohammad. “They were trying to steal our assets, but we refused to give anything to them.”
Mohammad and other members of the village put up a fight, a fight the insurgents did not expect. They used stones and other weapons to defend their families from the terrorists.

“We captured them and took their weapons,” said Mohammad. “We shot one of the Taliban in the shoulder and we hit the others with stones and made them unconscious. Finally other Taliban came and took them away, probably to be treated across the border.”

During the fight, Mohammad was shot in the knee. His father took him to a nearby ISAF Forward Operating Base for treatment. “I did not have any another option to care for my son,” said Mohammad’s father. “We took him to the base, and then they flew him to Herat for further treatment.”

Mohammad was treated at the FOB by American and Italian medical teams then evacuated by a Spanish unit to Camp Arena. They found a 7cm gap in a major artery that was impossible to suture, and a severe break of the distal end of the femur. After immobilizing the leg and giving him blood transfusions overnight, the medical team made the decision to amputate.

“After we found that the foot was not viable, we performed a second operation for amputation of the lower leg above the knee,” stated Getzov. “We tried all the measures to save the leg, but it was not possible.”

Mohammad recovered in the Camp Arena hospital until he was flown home on a Spanish Air Force Super Puma Helicopter on Dec. 24.

Watch where you step

If Afghans do one thing well, it's dig holes. They do a lot of digging on base here. One minute there's solid Earth, and the next there's a 10 foot hole with one guy at the bottom swinging a pick and shovel.

It may not sound like dangerous work, but this is Afghanistan. Yesterday, all digging (roughly 100 feet from my room) had to stop because the diggers unearthed an unexploded Russian handgrenade. And today they came across three Russian tank shells.

According to the French EOD soldier I talked to, this is a daily occurance for him and his team to dispose of this 30 year old ordinance. Major Levy told me, "I could be here for 100 years and not get rid of it all, it's everywhere."

How I spent my Christmas vacation

It was a great Christmas here in Kabul with my "military family." Above are some of the images from our holiday festivities. They include a candlelight vigil on Christmas Eve, Catholic mass on Christmas morning and a drive up "TV Hill" for a great view of Kabul on Christmas day. A photographer from Reuters shot a picture of me which was picked up by a newspaper in Trenton, New Jersey. Also you can see my roommate Liam watching his kids open their gifts over Skype. I ended the night singing Karoke with my girls, TSgt Nipper, TSgt Smith and MC1 Nelson but those pictures have… disappeared!

Submitted by our Marine

Sent to me by our Marine, Sgt. Kevin Healy

Murphy's Laws of Combat Operations:

Friendly fire - isn't.

Recoilless rifles - aren't.

Suppressive fires - won't.

You are not Superman; Marines and fighter pilots take note.

If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.

Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo and not want to waste a bullet on you.

If at first you don't succeed, call in an airstrike.

Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.

Never go to bed with anyone crazier than yourself.

Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.

If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.

The enemy diversion you're ignoring is their main attack.

The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready. when you're not.

There is no such thing as a perfect plan.

Five second fuzes always burn three seconds.

There is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.

A retreating enemy is probably just falling back and regrouping.

The important things are always simple; the simple are always hard.

Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy other people to shoot at.

Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.

When you have secured the area, make sure the enemy knows it too.

Incoming fire has the right of way.

No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection. No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.

If the enemy is within range, so are you.

A Christmas Thank you!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Despite being a planet apart, the Hecht family managed to make this a very Merry Christmas. My wife did a fantastic job decorating the house and filling our home with an overflow of presents and joy. The new toys should keep the kids busy until I return home in May.

I want to thank a couple of patriots who stepped up to the bat and supported my family this holiday.

Lieutenant Commander John Bernard put on my red suit and was my substitute Santa on Christmas Eve. Without John filling in for me, an important family tradition would have been absent, leaving a gap in our memories of these most precious years in the lives of our children. John, thank you for not only being our Santa, but for Santa telling my son, “I’m very proud of your Daddy.”

Bryan Mitchell was on the receiving end of two huge boxes from Target and assembled my kid’s big Christmas surprise; a pair of battery powered four wheelers. Bryan put in numerous hours on this while also trying to coordinate Christmas for his own family. On Christmas morning, he not only delivered them to our front door, but he then also offered to fix our broken fence. To top things off, he wants to buy me a steak dinner for my service to our country. Bryan, I’m the one who owes you a big juicy steak dinner!

I guess I should also thank my mother-in-law for keeping my wife sane throughout this holiday. Thanks Mom!

Lastly, I want to thank Al Gore for inventing the Internet. Also a big thank you to the person behind Skype. On Christmas morning I was able to watch the kids open every present and they watched me as I opened mine. I heard every “owwwww” and “aweeeee.” It was just like being there… minus the fruitcake, the in-laws and the mess to clean up.

Thanks everyone!!!

A Kabul Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas... in my bunk I'm laying alone. My wife and kids are getting ready to open presents far, far away back at home.

My M9 in its holster is hanging next to my bed with care. I'd love to use it on a Taliban as he gives me that cold "infidel" stare.

My roommate is also in the Navy... an American asleep in his rack. While down the hall... a coalition of nations slumbers through another midnight rocket attack.

This Christmas is different, we're away from the ones we love the most. But being here is a gift to the Afghans... a gift of something called "hope."

No, I'm not a warrior, a soldier who fights in the field. On patrol... always in danger... a cold M-R-E for a Christmas Eve meal. Me... I'm just a public affairs officer... a PAO and now the truth is revealed.

My contribution isn't as important as the guys in the convoys... the moutains... the troops looking for a fight. I fight the war writing stories and editing video until the wee hours of the night.

But when you hear of their glory and their sacrifice in the Times, the Gazette or live on CNN... It was I who passed the word of these brave women and men. I am the messanger with an important story to tell... so history never forgets this coalition and the missions they led.

To my wife and children, Daddy misses you with all his heart. Christmas Susan just isn't the same when we're apart.

And to my band of brothers whom this Christmas we share... you are your nation's finest... I would serve with you again... anytime, anywhere.

So on this Christmas Eve while I lay nestled in my bed... and visions of my children on Santa's lap dance in my head... I count my blessings... my family, my country, a cause that is right.

And while I may be far, far away... a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Ripped from the headlines III

TALIBAN DESTROY SCHOOLS IN HELMAND PROVINCE

KABUL, Afghanistan (December 20) – The Taliban have destroyed two schools in Helmand Province in the last month.

Throughout Helmand, children and adults have seized the chance to be educated over the last 3 years. Children are enthusiastic about learning and parents are keen for their children to be taught. Across Helmand, school enrolment in 2008 has risen 10% from 50,000 to 55,000.

“This is yet another display of callous disregard for the civilian population by the Taliban. The destruction of the schools in Shin Qalay and Marjah in the Nad Ali district of Helmand will deny the children of the district the chance of education and a better life. It is further evidence that the Taliban does not care about the local people, or their future,” said Task Force Helmand spokesperson Commander Paula Rowe.

At his Press Conference in Lashkar Gah Dec. 14, the Governor of Helmand Province, Gulab Mangal, issued a warning, saying, “Those who destroy schools act illegally, contrary to their education and against their future. If we arrest them, those who destroy schools will be tried, convicted and sentenced.”

The development of schools and education in Helmand by Governor Mangal’s officials is in accordance with the Government of Afghanistan’s policy. The Government aims for enrolment in primary school for girls and boys to be at least 60% and 75% respectively by 2010; for female teachers to have increased by 50% and for 70% of Afghanistan’s teachers to have passed a competency test. Alongside school construction and refurbishment, the Helmand PRT is running a programme to train teachers, fund equipment and help the Department of Education build its managerial capacity.

A Christmas message from my boss

I received this holiday message posted below from my boss, CAPT Mark Windsor of the Royal Navy. It's a good snapshot of the camaraderie shared by NATO partners who are deployed during this holiday season.

Gentlemen; as we approach Christmas, I thought it would be timely to send you and your teams a brief Christmas greeting. I must say that it is not great for any of us to spend time away from our loved ones and families at this traditional time of family celebration. However, for my part, given that I have to be away from home, I could not think of a better group of international colleagues to be with; you are my band of brothers as the most celebrated naval hero of the Royal Navy Admiral Lord Nelson said of his captains. You guys and your teams are the best and I could not ask for a better team to be with or work with. As you reflect on life at this time of hope and celebration, lets all spare a thought for those who came with us on this operation from our various nations who will not be going home and count ourselves lucky. Let us also spare a thought for their families who will never spend Christmas with them ever again. May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Please pass this onto all of your excellent team members.

Stay safe and God bless.

Mark Mark Windsor

Captain Royal Navy

CNO vs. Kid Rock

As I mentioned last week, we get a front row seat here at ISAF HQ for a number of politicians, high ranking officers and special dignitaries. While MC2 Ramirez was in RC South hanging out with Kid Rock, I was back here shaking hands with the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead. The CNO is the highest ranking officer in the United States Navy and second in line behind Donald Winter, the Secretary of the Navy. The only other four star in the Navy is Admiral Mike Mullen, who is currently the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While I hate being away from my family during this special time of year, I don't think I'd be meeting these people back in Millington at my old job with NAVCO.

What I want for Christmas

I have received dozens of e-mails from family and friends asking me what I want for Christmas. To be honest, I don't need anything. I have everything I could need here and anything you send me I'll just have to carry home. I already have four sea bags full of Army issued equipment and I don't need anymore stuff! And while I don't need anything, there is something I would like for everyone to send me.

Christmas is a time of giving, an important lesson Fisher-Price, Apple, GAP and Tiffany's have confused over the years. I'm talking about real, unconditional from the soul giving. The type of giving to help someone less fortunite just because it's the right thing to do. This is a lesson each and everyone of our children needs to be reminded of during this holiday season. How?

Please explain to your child that children in an Afghanistan hospital really need their help. The hospital is so poor, doctors have to REUSE bandages and dressings and since they can afford bed nets in the burn unit, flies contaminate the children's injuries. Anti-biotic cream is also in short supply.

Let your child take the lead and send me a care package that I can deliver to the Indira Ghandi Children's Hospital here in Kabul. Again, bandages, dressing, bed nets and anti-biotic cream would be great. That's what I want for Christmas.

Please don't ignore this request expecting the next guy to step forward. If you're getting this e-mail, than this is a request from me to you.

My address is:
Dave Hecht
US NSE (PAO)
HQ ISAF
APO AE 09356

Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you know who might want to help this cause. I have no problem getting boxes from complete strangers.

Thnk you everyone. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Kabul

The holiday spirit is in full swing on the ISAF HQ compound. Above are some pictures I shot of the decorations people have put up. Susan sent me Christmas lights and I’ve used them to decorate my bunk. Very festive! I also took time to meet some of Santa's elves and thank them for their hard work up North. As you can see from the picture of the flyer, there will be a candle light service on Christmas Eve. I’m really looking forward to that. Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

The weather

Since I arrived in early October, the weather has been fairly mild. Afternoon highs in the mid 60's with overnight lows in the upper 30's. But with Christmas a week away, things are starting to change. Rain has rolled into Kabul and snow is not far off on the horizon. The afternoon high has now dropped into the mid 40's with overnight lows well below freezing.

In your local paper, if you see a sharp drop in Afghanistan related stories, thank the weather. The Taliban don't like to fight in the cold.

As I write this, I'm standing watch in the command center. Normally this place is a beehive of ativity, but now that the weather has turned chilly, there's not a lot going on. Sure the Taliban are still out there, today firing two RPGs at a high school and annoying our convoys with small arms fire, but no major operations seem to be taking place. Not at least at the level of this summer.

I hate winter, but if it saves our troop's lives over here, I guess it's not all bad.

Below is a link to the Weather.com - Kabul: http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxdetail/AFXX0003?dayNum=1&from=36hr_topnav_business

Visitors and more visitors

Working here at ISAF HQ, I get a front row seat for politicians wanting a little face time with commanding officer and the troops. Last week, Arizona Senator John McCain was here for a "grip and grin"and today it was Senator Jon Kerry's turn. Last week, President Bush flew over our headquarters on his way from the Presidential Palace to Bagram Air Force Base. If you look real hard through the haze, you can see his helicopter. He maintained a high enough altitude so that he was clearly out of range for any thrown shoes.

A "taste" of home

On the base in Kandahar they have a Burger King, Subway and Pizza Hut. This was my first fast food in three months. It's amazing what a Whopper can do for your morale! I would have gladly paid $50 for this rare treat.

Latest & Greatest

Here are the links to last week's:

ISAF Update:
Tuesday:
http://www.dvidshub.net/vjump.php?vid=51140
Thursday:
http://www.dvidshub.net/vjump.php?vid=50871

Ask ISAF: http://www.dvidshub.net/vjump.php?vid=51143

*The general's interview has been viewed by more than 200 media outlets around the world via the DVIDS website!!!!!!!!

A family update

For months I have been telling you all about my travels and life in theater. What I have not mentioned as much as I should is mywonderful family back home. A progress report is long overdue.

As my wife considers naming her and/or the kids a FORCE PROTECTION violation, I will keep things vague.

In short, I couldn't be more proud of my wife, [blank]. Her spirits are high and she's doing an outstanding job back in [blank] keeping the kids involved in their numerous activities. We talk at least once a day, see each other on Skype every couple of days and e-mail short "love notes" notes in between. Granted these note from [blank] consist of "you're spending too much money" or "get my picture off that damn blog," but I feel the love. [Blank], I love and miss you.

My daughter [blank] is nothing short of amazing. When I left in September she couldn't read a single word. Now my big kindergartner is reading me books over the web cam. She has a great teacher, Mrs. [blank] and her Mommy is always taking time to work with her on homework. [Blank] tells me she cries from time to time saying, "I miss my Daddy," but [blank] is a strong little girl and will get through this.

And then there's my little boy, [blank]. Since I've been gone,[blank] has really done a great job potty training [blank]. He only wears diapers at bedtime, and those are always dry in the morning. [Blank] is in preschool and is very social, making lots of friends. True, [blank] is a little rough with his big sister, but what baby brother isn't? He'll grow out of it. [Blank] also gets a little moody from time to time but my wife [blank] does a wonderful job of keeping him in touch with his feeling. [Blank] will talk to me on thephone and tell me, "I'm mad at you Daddy that you're not here, but I still love you very much."

While many people have thanked me for my service, it's my family that should recieve just as much, if not more praise. They've sacrificed so much. I really think when I get my end our tour award, my wife and kids should be standing right at my side to receive a medal of their own!

A tough day in RC South

The British flag here in RC South is at half-mast today. Yesterday, the Brits lost four soldiers in two separate incidents. Three were killed by an IED and the fourth was killed by a "suicide bomber," although I don't think the bomber knew what he was doing. The bomber was a 13-year old kid pushing a wheel barrel full of newspapers. Odds are the Taliban hid the bomb under the newspapers and told the kid to deliver them to the British soldiers, remote activating it when they were in the kill zone.

As a result of this rough day, the British Prime Minister is flying here as I type. We're working to get Ramirez to the area to cover the visit.

This story just demonstrates that it's not just the United States that's losing people here. We've lost roughly 550 Americans in this theater over the past seven years. The Brits have lost the second most with somewhere around 130.

For all those who have fought and died here, the above quote from Gen.MacArthur is very appropriate.

Headed South

From 11-14 DEC, I'm in RC South.

I'm hear because I need to make sure MC2 Ramirez, who will be joining Cprl Rafoss, actually gets put into a room. Since Rafoss arrived nearly three weeks ago, he has been living in a transient tent. This is a large open bay tent that's shared by roughly 100 other guys. You sleep on cots and there's no way to secure your belongings. It's meant to be a 1-3 day temporary situation, not a permanent fix which has been Rafoss' lot in life since he first arrived. On my first day here, I got Ramirez into a room so this is not impossible. Rafoss can bunk with Ramirez when he comes back from the operation he's covering out in the field.

The other reason I'm down here is to play politics. The RC South PAO doesn't like the standard operating procedure (SOP) we have in place for my guys when releasing stories, pictures and video. Col. Kolker wants to add several layers of people in RC South to read, edit and approve the stories before they're sent to me... where in turn I read, edit and approve it before sending it to the headquarters... who read, edit and finally release it. If we allowed this, it would take three weeks to get a single story released through all those filters. I'm here to tell him his opinion matters, but only HIS opinion. In the military more than any other career field I have ever worked, there's a lot of teritorialism. We talked this issue out last night and I think we have come to an understanding. If I'm ever nominated for Secretary of State, I now have enough experience to put on my resume.

Last night was also a fun night for watching fireworks. Opps, that was a rocket attack. Around 0200 came the announcement over the loud speakers, "Take cover, take Cover, incoming attack. Take cover, take cover." Never a dull moment in Kandahar.

Ask ISAF & ISAF Update

My teams are doing such a good job of producing stories out in the field, I thought I'd step up our game with a couple of new video products.

I've combined their incredible print and still photography experience with my TV news background to produce a twice weekly 2-minute "ISAF Update." I'm not expecting CNN to pick it up but it does run twice a week on the Pentagon Channel. It's also a great way to inform the international media about some of the "good news" stories happening here.

Here's a link to today’s ISAF Update: http://www.dvidshub.net/vjump.php?vid=50796

General McKiernan wanted his generals to be more proactive with the media and so I came up with the idea for "Ask ISAF." Each week, we ask media around the world to send us their questions. We put the generals on a rotating schedule and every Wednesday we answer them on camera. Media can either pull quotes from the video or download it for broadcast. Last week, more than 100 media outlets around the world watch the video.

Here's a link to this week’s Ask ISAF: http://www.dvidshub.net/vjump.php?vid=50797

Ripped from the headlines

I hate these stories most of all. Imagine this being the place where your kids have to grow up.

Afghan boy, wounded in mine explosion, assisted by ISAF

KABUL, Afghanistan (December 04) — A young boy was evacuated to an ISAF medical facility at Camp Warehouse yesterday after having received serious injuries from stepping on a mine. Accompanied by his father, the boy was evacuated to the medical facility by a French military helicopter. Afterwards he was transferred to a civilian facility in Kabul. “Since August 2008, the French military hospital at Camp Warehouse has treated more than 60 Afghan civilians for such injuries,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Salle, a French military spokesperson. “Citizens must remain conscious of the danger uncharted mined areas pose to them,” he added.

A bridge over troubled water

The highlight of last week had to have been my trip to RC West and the opening of the Bala Murghrab Bridge. I'll begin by saying this bridge is in an extremely dangerous area that's mostly Taliban controlled. Forty-eight hours before we arrived, the Taliban killed 17 Afghan soldiers about a mile away. But orders are orders and mine were to take a team to document the ribbon cutting. For three days prior I got little sleep out of concern... but all those concerns vanished when I got on the plane and saw a VIP who was traveling with us.

At the last minute, Gen. David McKiernan decided he wanted to go along. Gen. McKiernan is the top military boss in Afghanistan, the commander for all US and International forces. If you don't understand his importance, Gen. McKiernan is to Afghanistan as Gen. David Petraeus was to Iraq. If this were World War II, he'd be General Eisenhower, the supreme Allied commander in a theater of operations.

I sat no more than 10-feet from him and his very presence told me all was going to be fine. That's because everywhere we went, there were three attack helicopters constantly circling above and a very well armed security detail surrounding us on the ground.

Before we traveled to the bridge, the general attended a Shura at a military outpost near Bala Murghrab. A Shura is a meeting of tribal elders similar to a city council meeting. While he was in there, I checked out the FOB (forward operating base). If you ever wondered what the Alamo looked like back in 1836, this is it; mud walls, buildings with no roofs, soldiers who haven't showered in days. These are the guys that are fighting the war, not bums like me who have a cushy life back at the headquarters.

After the Shura, we convoyed to the bridge, cut the ribbon and flew home. No problems. Part of that flight home was aboard a Chinook helicopter. They kept the back open for the rear gunner which gave us a great view of this beautiful country. The whole 45-minute flight we were never more than 200-feet above the ground. Weaving through canyons and over one small village after another, it was the highlight of the day. The terrain here is awesome, like something I've never seen before. It's mostly untouched as if GOD just created it yesterday. Which isn't to far off from the truth for Afghan people. As I've said on this blog before, to see Afghanistan today is to live in a Chapter of the Bible. According to the Afghan calendar, this is the year 1327.

Santa Claus is coming to town

While shopping in the Friday bizzare just outside of our base, I looked up and walking right towards me was St. Nick himself. I didn't know people actually requested cheap Afghan crap on their Christmas list. He must have been here for the fake Rolex watches and pirated DVDs.

Actually, the man behind the beard is Dutch Rear Admiral Matthieu Borsboom, the Deputy Commander for Stability. He was walking around the bizarre collecting donations for the Children's Hospital I wrote about last week.

How I see the kids

Thank GOD for Skype!!!!!!!!!! Kathryn and Charlie showing Daddy their new Justice League action figures. We try to log on and see each other at least every other day. I'm not sure which they enjoy more, seeing me or themselves on the computer. Seeing them is always the highlight of my day. I really miss my babies.

On the run!

Just before I deployed from Memphis, I was in the best shape of my life. I was running 3-5 miles a day. My time in the Germantown Half-Marathon was 2:14 minutes and I had just completed in my third Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge. But our physical training at Fort Jackson was minimal and I spent the first month here focusing on the job. The downtime really caught up to me and I was starting to feel like a slug. So now that I have a full grasp of what I'm doing here, it's once again time to start running. I've been hitting the gym every morning for the past couple of weeks and today, I hit the road for the ISAF 10K. My time; 57:36. The race was run completely on base so no worries about suicide bombers and snipers. There was only 20 of us, but it was still a fun race. Canadian General Richard Blanchette and I finished the race side by side. My right hand man, Tech Sgt Brenda Nipper took home the woman's first place medal. While she did an outstanding job, I must admit, she was the only woman to compete.

On the road...

Starting the 30th, I am going on a couple of trips which could have me on the road for more than a week. As this is the only way many of you keep tabs on me, please do not worry if you don't see this site being updated. I expect to be back around the 6th or 7th.

It's working

Readers of this blog know I have been working hard to establish a network of media teams across Afghanistan. I now have in place crews in two of the three regional commands and as expected, they are turning out stories like hotcakes. ISAF has never had so much product coming into the headquarters from the outlying areas like this before. My boss Captain Windsor recently sent me this short e-mail, "David, excellent work. I am impressed with this new direction. Thx!" I'll take credit for deploying the crews into the field, but the results belong to my teams. You guys are doing a GREAT JOB out there. Many thanks for the hard work.

Happy Thanksgiving!

If you're going to be away from your family on Thanksgiving, this was the place to be. While this is an international base with people from 43 different countries, yesterday the main dinning facility was closed to everyone but Americans so we could enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with our fellow countrymen. And boy was it a feast! The menu included 27 roasted and deep fried turkeys, sweet potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, rolls, pumpkin pie, apple pie and Baskin Robbins ice cream. The room was decorated with American flags and traditional Thanksgiving colors of orange and brown. I didn't have my family at the table with me but I was surrounded with my Public Affairs family and we shared plenty of laughs as well as a great dinner. And while your dinners back home probably started with a prayer for us, we said a prayer of thanks for our great families, our supportive families back home. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving starts with a bang

It was right around 9 AM that a giant explosion shook my building. Most people I've interviewed during my TV days would say, "It was like a bomb went off." Well, in this case it was a bomb. Just over our back wall no more than 200 yards away from my office a suicide bomber in his car detonated himself and took four innocent Afghans with him. This was right between my office and the US Embassy. I took a picture of the smoke which hung in the air for a minute or two marking the spot. If you look very closely, you can see his disappointed soul discovering there are no 70 virgins awaiting his arrival.