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My recent trip to military bases throughout the Middle East was
an enriching, educational, life changing experience. I found that
for all the hardship, challenges, and negative factors that are
present (and often the subject of our focus), there are countless
examples of extremely positive transformations and events taking
place every day.
And, as it is an undeniable truth that you get more of what you
focus on, I am choosing to bring some of these stories to light
as "rays of hope," as I speak and write about the journey.
Today's highlight involves the way Americans in Afghanistan work
hand-in-hand with locals to accomplish cultural change.
Rays of Hope
We flew by Blackhawk helicopter to a town called Jalalabad and performed
for the fine men and women of the PRT, or "Provisional Reconstruction
Team." Their mission objective is all about goodwill and rebuilding.
They are fortified and equipped to deal with hostility and are certainly
no strangers to nighttime mortar rounds. But their "offensives"
involve building homes and schools, delivering food, blankets, and
clothing to locals, and improving the infrastructure for transportation
and communication. The unit, mostly soldiers from Iowa, did without
many of the comforts we saw at other bases- food selection was limited,
mail delivery was infrequent, yet they were truly joyous about their
work. You could tell it came from the heart. One example: When Christmas
packages arrived from their loved ones back home, the troops decided
take them into town and distribute their goodies where the need
was greatest.
Locals are employed on base, as well, and are a vital part of base
operations. They work together to prepare meals, maintain the facilities
and handle other projects as they arise. This is, for many, the
primary means to support their family. The young boy pictured here
in the baseball hat, nicknamed "Shoeshine," is the primary
bread winner for his family.
In Bagram, Afghanistan, the younger Afghans who help out have become
part of an exclusive group called "Sergeant Major's Boys and
Girls." In order to earn the wages so important to their family,
they must not only perform certain tasks, but must maintain standards
of behavior and leadership. This program was developed by Sgt. Major
Green, who we met during our visit. We also met many of the young
locals, ages 6-13, and were impressed with their attitudes and sense
of pride. Sgt. Major Green makes his expectations extremely clear,
and teaches the following twelve "Rules of the Badge"
as guiding principles for life.
1. Be respectful to elders.
2. Honor, obey, and respect your parents or the adults in your home
who take
care of you; be a good boy or girl to them and a good brother or
sister.
3. Respect your teacher and other students trying to learn; don't
skip school, and stay in school until you graduate; be a student
teacher and help other students learn lessons.
4. Respect your mullah [Islamic Clergy] and others in the mosque
trying to listen and pray.
5. Protect and defend women and girls; be kind to them as though
they were your mothers or sisters.
6. Never lie, cheat, or steal, even if it benefits you; always tell
the truth even when you are wrong; treat others fairly and be honest
when trading.
7. Be a good role model for others, especially younger boys and
girls; be a leader in your family, your village, your school, your
mosque, and your community.
8. Be kind and humane to animals.
9. Always be helpful and look for ways to be helpful; especially
help the poor, the sick, the hungry, and those who are hurt or in
pain.
10. Share what you have with others, especially if they have less
than you.
11. Listen to, obey, and be helpful to the ECP guards and Afghan
security guards.
12. Be grateful to God for everything.
Now that's great advice for anyone of any age. And, what a powerful
example of the positive influence one person can have on others.
Thank you, Sergeant Major Green. And thank you, for being your best
today and every day!
All
the best of success,
Dan
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