By Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel
KABUL, Afghanistan - The coalition is trained to fight, but as the mission evolves from one of ousting the Taliban's remnants to reconstruction and reconciliation, the service members find themselves on the front lines of a fight that doesn't always make the headlines.
This other "war" is making life better for those who have little or nothing, and is often referred to as the "battle of winning hearts and minds," or the "non-lethal fight."
A number of Coalition members are going above and beyond the call of duty every day by volunteering to improve the lives of a little-known group of Afghan former refugees in the barren mountain range on the outskirts of the capital city of Kabul.
Tucked behind the hills near Pol-e-Charki, some members of the 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment, based out of New Albany, Ind., happened upon the small village while on a reconnaissance mission.
The village consists of about 200 people, mostly children, living in tiny tents with walls of plastic and makeshift doors. What happened next, and continues to happen, was a remarkable exchange of friendship, bonding and nation-building.
"This is one of those really feel-good missions," said Maj. Chris Lee, 1st Bn., 151st Inf. Rgt., who volunteered to help provide basic medical care to the Afghans at what his Soldiers have come to affectionately refer to as Camp Warhawk.
In Afghanistan, a large percentage of the population live nomadic lifestyles, roaming the countryside and making a living wherever they can.
About 50 Soldiers from the 76th Separate Infantry Brigade and other members of the Coalition visited the small village to deliver some much needed medical supplies, food and blankets to the villagers who live there last month.
Capt. Jim Gruber, one of the doctors with 1st Bn., 151st Inf. Rgt., who helped treat the Afghans, has been coming to Camp Warhawk since the 76th SIB assumed the mission of training the Afghan National Army about four months ago.
"When we first came out, they didn't have any care," he said. "Now, we can at least provide basic health care for such conditions as skin rashes, coughs and colds.
"I'm just glad to be able to help," said Gruber. "Sometimes it's just Band-Aid help, but it's better than what they were getting before."
Sgt. Scott Hughes has made seven trips to the camp and said his unit has delivered about 6,000 pounds of rice, 500 cans of fruit, 150 pounds of peanut butter and jelly, and 300 blankets.
"I think it's great to be able to help the kids by providing them with some basic medical treatment, some basic nutrition and helping to keep them warm for the winter," he said.
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| Date Taken: | 12.29.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 12.29.2004 08:53 |
| Story ID: | 759 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 11 |
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