Commandos unveil Hall of Valor, honor their fallen

CAMP MOREHEAD, AFGHANISTAN

03.05.2011

Story by Senior Airman Ryan Whitney 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army leadership, Commandos, governors, and shura members were joined by members of the Special Operation Forces community at Camp Morehead March 5, during the unveiling and dedication of the ANA Commando Hall of Valor.

The Hall of Valor, a memorial room located at the Commando Brigade building on Camp Morehead, was constructed to honor and remember each of the 74 ANA Special Forces and Commandos who have lost their lives since 2007, when U.S. Special Forces began training the first Commando Kandak.

“It is vital that we remember the 74 men who have given their lives, the more than 150 who have been wounded, and the sacrifices they and their families have made for Afghanistan,” said Maj. Kevin Trujillo, U.S. Special Forces commander at Camp Morehead. “I am thankful for the support you have all given, and we hope this Hall of Valor will become a place of great reflection, and a place to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for Afghanistan.”

The Hall of Valor, a large open room furnished with a conference table and lounge area, is decorated with numerous gifts, plaques, and numerous commandos’ images adorning three of the four walls. The fourth wall holds the names of each of the fallen Commandos as well as a brief description of the jobs and duties they held.

Leaders from local village shuras, as well as Mohammad Halim Fidai and Attiqullah Loden, governors of Wardak and Logar provinces respectively, attended the ceremony alongside Lt. Gen. Mohammad Akram, Minister of Defense first deputy, Brig. Gen. Dadon Lawang, 1st Commando Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Austin Miller, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan commander, and many other representatives from U.S. and ANA forces.

“Today we gather to remember the Commandos who have become martyrs for our country, but I am not sad; instead I honor and thank these Commandos for the work and sacrifices they have done to bring peace to our country,” said Gov. Fidai. “We all need to be soldiers for our country, to work towards peace, and while doing so, remember the sacrifices of these Commandos who have given their lives for their country.”

“In a few short years, the Commandos and [ANA] Special Forces, working alongside U.S. Special Forces, have developed a great level of accomplishment and fostered trust and pride throughout Afghanistan in the work they do. The name Commando instills pride in our people, while instilling fear in our enemies, keeping them awake at night and causing them to run and hide, for the Commandos are near,” said Lawang. “All these achievements have been accomplished by the brave sons of Afghanistan, but these achievements do not come without sacrifices.”

Alongside the 74 Commandos who have lost their lives, more than 150 Commandos and Special Forces members have been injured. Though there have been many sacrifices made, this has not deterred the mindset and goals of the Commandos and ANASF.

Even as the ceremony proceeded, Commandos were commencing with their training and a new Kandak is preparing to come online in April, ready to carry on the objectives that their fallen brothers gave their lives to achieve.

“Commandos live in the hearts of the people, and until they are free from the insurgent threat, we shall stand up and protect the people who can’t protect themselves,” said Lawang.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2011
• Date Posted: 03.11.2011 05:56
• Story ID: 66844
• Location: CAMP MOREHEAD, AF