Independence Day: Afghanistan style

Photo By Sgt. Rachael Moore | Sailors and Marines from the Shock Trauma Platoon, Alpha Surgical Company, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) pose for a picture by their new flag pole July 4, at Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Afghanistan. Service members may not get the day off, but they still found ways to celebrate their independence and freedom.  

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

07.07.2011

Story by Sgt. Rachael Moore 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Afghanistan – While service members and civilians deployed to Afghanistan might not get a day off for holidays, they still find time to celebrate.

Troops and Department of Defense contractors at Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Afghanistan, celebrated their independence various ways July 4.

“We started our day out with a pancake breakfast and frappuccinos,” said Jonathon A. Gill, a corpsman with the Shock Trauma Platoon, Alpha Surgical Company, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward). “We also decorated the office with decorations that our leadership ordered.”

For lunch, the sailors and Marines at the STP joined the rest of the FOB for a barbeque.

“The barbeque was great,” explained Gill, an Antiochca, Calif., native. “It brought that taste of home we’ve all needed. While we ate, we talked about all of the food we can’t wait to eat when we get home.”

Not every service member could get to the barbeque, but that didn’t keep them from showing their patriotism. After returning to FOB Edinburgh after a convoy, Marines and sailors proudly flew American flags above their vehicles.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, if you’re an American you’ll do whatever you have to do to keep that freedom,” said Sgt. Jason Deck, a maintenance management chief with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (Forward).

“Being out here, it really makes you appreciate your freedom,” Gill concluded. “Back home, I took things for granted, and the freedom we have as Americans means a lot more than it did before I deployed.”

• Date Taken: 07.07.2011
• Date Posted: 07.08.2011 05:50
• Story ID: 73430
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF