ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The stars and stripes hung in every window, flew from every post, and waved from every building as Americans everywhere proudly displayed our nation’s standard as a unifying symbol of strength and resolve after the devastating tragedy of September 11, 2001.
A decade later, in memory of the immeasurable loss suffered at the hands of hateful men, members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul at Forward Operating Base Smart again raised the national colors, this time as a symbol of America’s commitment to defend and secure freedom in Afghanistan and around the world.
“I originally planned to travel to Ground Zero in New York to attend the 10-year anniversary ceremony and pay tribute to all the fallen heroes,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Timothy Montjoy from Jonesboro, Ga., who helped plan and coordinate the flag-raising event. “But since I was deployed and not able to be in New York on that special day, I felt that this would allow me the honor of paying tribute.”
In memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, Montjoy and his crew of 32 service men and women flew and folded 143 U.S. flags at FOB Smart’s main flag pole, where two weeks prior, two men killed themselves in an attempt to breach the FOB perimeter with a car bomb and suicide vest.
“It is difficult to understand why someone would appear too arbitrarily and willingly lose their life in order to destroy,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Paul LaVigne, the Zabul PRT commander. “Two men are now dead, and really, what did that accomplish? Nothing… except make us stronger.”
Though none of them were seriously injured, members of PRT Zabul can better internalize the impact and significance of the September 11 attacks.
“The senseless violence is still right outside our gates, and our lives can be changed as quickly as a bomb going off next to our wall,” said LaVigne. “We learned that our PRT can be the target of evil even though we are here to help the people of Afghanistan. We bring a small piece of security, we bring schools, clinics, water wells, roads, irrigation, agriculture training, give a small sense of self-determination to women, and many other wonderful deeds.”
The members of the PRT are proud of what they do, and where the events of September 11, 2001 have led them.
“Our PRT mission here has an immediate impact on the local economy, and it helps transform the entire province's attitude toward America,” said Montjoy. “Hopefully it inspires the people of this region to reach further within themselves and take greater pride in what is theirs.”
Instead of responding to the attacks with bitterness and anger, these service members offer stability and prosperity to a people weathered and beaten by centuries of war, proving that their resolve is much stronger than hate. That, said Montjoy, is why we are flying the flags.
