Afghan Certificate Lust
If there is one thing that will set an Afghan official's eyes ablaze with desire, it is a certificate. Our Task Force CSM had given out some simple ones that had been highly prized. So I stepped it up a notch. I had made one up in English and Dari, put it in a flag holder-frame with a small Afghan flag and presented it to Kabir Ahmad, the District Attorney of Bagram District, Parwan Province. He had been a terrific help to us, and to his people, so I thought a little public recognition wouldn't hurt.
Oh, boy. It was like someone getting the first Hummer in their upscale neighborhood, the first plasma TV, the first botox, the first cell phone, all rolled into one. It was on. Everybody wanted one after that. Good thing I left the country a couple of weeks later...
Major John and Kabir Ahmad
Kabir was so excited he almost ran off right away. Our interpreter (L) laughed and reminded him that he, of all people - a politician, hadn't said a word. He was thankful and so very uncharacteristically short in his remarks. He just sat and smiled like a kid at Christmas.
UPDATE:
Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy
Oh, boy. It was like someone getting the first Hummer in their upscale neighborhood, the first plasma TV, the first botox, the first cell phone, all rolled into one. It was on. Everybody wanted one after that. Good thing I left the country a couple of weeks later...
Major John and Kabir Ahmad
Kabir was so excited he almost ran off right away. Our interpreter (L) laughed and reminded him that he, of all people - a politician, hadn't said a word. He was thankful and so very uncharacteristically short in his remarks. He just sat and smiled like a kid at Christmas.
UPDATE:
Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy
posted by LTC John at 9:56 AM
7 Comments:
That's so cool. Next step: bowling trophies!
Do you miss contact with the Afghan people now that you're home?
In your superb photos, they come across as quite physically attractive, regardless of their poverty, and in many of the anecdotes you and other military bloggers relate, they come across as rather endearing. I personally admire their toughness, considering the horrors inflicted on them, first by the Soviets, and then by the Taliban.
I really wish there were more we could do as individuals to help them as they struggle toward good government and economic prosperity. Shoes and toys and school supplies hardly seem enough somehow.
Anon,
The CERP projects I helped with, as well as the work the USAID (and others like the South Korean government)was doing is more of the long term type help. However, the school supplies and clothes were sure sought after and considered quite useful!
The people were very tough - and a lot like us. Some good, some bad, mostly just wanting to get on with their business and take care of their families. They have had little opportunity to do any of that in the last 25 years.
All we can do is continue to give them a hand in getting their basic infrastructure and governemnt/police/army together and they will be alright.
As for real heroes - see Dr. Qasim in the post I made a couple of days back.
That is so great.
Sad, though, in a way, how little respect and simple kindness is rendered to an ordinary person in a place like Talibanville.
Patca,
Maybe we are just so overwhelmed with Bogus certificates of aprreciation, awards, trophies and the like that we have lost an appreciation of the sincere ones. that, or I have started Afghanistan down the road to a world like that of Dilbert. Oof, I sure hope not.
"that, or I have started Afghanistan down the road to a world like that of Dilbert."
No, you did a good thing. Those moments of real human connection and respect are to be treasured.
Go you! That was really so nice of you!
It means a lot to be appreciated, especially by the great and powerful Americans. I think that was an excellent way to thank him for his cooperation.
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