JSAS celebrates Eid with Afghan recruits

Photo By Sgt. Megan Sindelar | U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Travis E. Gitthens, a Joint Security Academy Southwest team officer-in-charge, stands at attention while the flag is lowered Sept. 11 at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Gitthens is wearing Afghan cultural clothes he bought in support of the Eid al-Fitr, end of Ramadan, celebration held at the academy.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

09.11.2010

Story by Cpl. Megan Sindelar 

Regional Command Southwest

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Afghan recruits attending the Joint Security Academy Southwest celebrated their Eid al-Fitr with a barbecue, Sept. 11, at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

Here at Camp Leatherneck, Afghans weren’t the only ones celebrating and were joined by their coalition counterparts.

“We are supporting their culture,” said 1st Lt. Travis E. Gitthens, a JSAS team officer-in-charge with Regional Command Southwest. “Since they are here and cannot be with their families, it is nice to be able to accommodate them during their holiday.”

JSAS instructors, interpreters and recruits feasted on chicken and steak while listening to Pashtu music. The Afghans and Marines joined together to dance, socialize and share the Muslim culture.

“We are happy with the Marines,” said recruit Mosah Khaikh-Mohammad, an Afghan police recruit from Nimroz province. “They made it fun and joined us in celebrating.”

Mohammad said spending this time with the instructors and his classmates made the time away from his family more enjoyable. He was happy he was able to get his civilian clothes back for the celebration, a break from his days in uniform.

“We have heard of other academies,” said Mohammad. “But, the academy here is the only one who allows us to wear our clothes and the instructors celebrate with us.”

The celebration, held on the solemn date of Sept. 11, falls on the second day of Eid al-Fitr. Terry L. Walker, the training advisor for RC (SW), saw it suitable that although the dates falling together were coincidental, that coalition forces and Afghan forces were celebrating together even as they stand against terrorism.

“It is both fitting and proper that on this day of our loss, it is the dawn of a better day tomorrow,” Walker said.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2010
• Date Posted: 09.12.2010 12:53
• Story ID: 56145
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF