High Five!

Well today is the 19th, so we have made it through another month. We are now up to five, almost 1/2 way there. I was fortunate enough to get a phone call from Josh today as well, only a 15 day wait this time. He seemed to be doing well, but was really tired. He said that they have been very busy and that when they are told today will be a "light day", it is anything but light. As he told his brother Jesse, he never knows what they are doing from day to day. Hopefully, I will be able to post a message from him here soon.

Images and News from Afghanistan

As many of you are probably aware, there is some "action" happening in Afghanistan. Whether or not Josh and his unit have been called to assist with this, or if one of their missions have taken them to southern Afghanistan, I am unsure. As soon as I hear anything from Josh, I will be sure to let you know. This is one of those times when I would not be surprised if we do not hear from him for a couple of days, with the possibility of a communications blackout happening. I am only guessing that this could be a situation that would call for it, but I am not positive.

UPDATE -- So much for what I think or know, Josh e-mailed a little over an hour after I posted this message. He is a bit under the weather. They have been working non-stop the last 2 days - very busy, but at least we heard from him!

I did find this gallery of pictures on Yahoo today... I only scanned through them, most of which were all from today (June 17). There are 293 photos, but they are interspersed with other images of political figures and some of Pakistan. Some of the images of the Afghans are very powerful.

More from Afghanistan

As Brian Williams said tonight, "it's too often called the other war or the forgotten war." Brian Williams had an exclusive interview last week with new United States commander on the ground in Afghanistan, four-star U.S. Army General David McKiernan. There is also a full transcript of the interview, if you are unable to load the video.

There was another segment of the interview available only on the web called Leading the Troops in Afghanistan. This seems to be an extended version of the first video, minus the introduction and closing by Brian Williams.

As General McKiernan stated, the average age is less than 20 years, the average life expectancy is 43 and they have been in a war-torn state for over 30 years, which all contribute to the complexity of the war in Afghanistan.

The news from October 7, 2001, when the war in Afghanistan began.

I will post throughout the week as they show additional reports from the trip to Afghanistan.

He's fine . . .

Many of you may be waking up to some "Breaking News" from Afghanistan. Josh is okay. He sent his family and I an e-mail this morning at 6:22 a.m. (our time).

"Real quick-quite a bit of news from this corner of the world that you will be waking up to in a bit-just wanted to let you all know that I am fine and snug as a bug in a rug. haha. Love, Josh"

Day 3 of NBC in Afghanistan

Here is a link to Images of Afghanistan that I found on the MSNBC site (from AP Photographers). There are several that show the sand storms and one that shows the "caves" we often hear about.

Brian William's June 13 post to the Daily Nightly.

Unfortunately, due to the passing of Tim Russert, there were no video clips to post from this evenings segment in Afghanistan. I contemplated posting this from Josh, but I think it speaks so greatly to why I have posted for three nights to the blog about Brian William's being in Afghanistan... "I think it is good that Brian Williams is here, at least somebody is reminding people that we are here."

Night 2 of Brian Williams in Afghanistan

Tonight's featured videos are linked below:

Making Afgan Loyalists, military-style

"Outside the Wire" - Brian's Day

In Afghanistan, A Road Less Traveled - The truck featured at the end of the video is the jingle trucks that Josh refers from time to time.

Closing Remarks

Brian William's Blog posting for June 12.

They are headed to Baghram Air Base tomorrow.

NBC Nightly News in Kabul

Brian Williams (NBC) is spending some time in Afghanistan. Here are some clips from his June 11 evening news, where he is currently located in Kabul.

Fighting to Eat in War-torn Afghanistan

School A Welcome Novelty for Afghan Girls

He also has a blog called the Daily Nightly where he discusses the unannounced trip, as well as the security aspect that they face and that they are there to check on the U.S. military effort.

The Phone Rings!

This posting is a bit delayed, but after 34 days. . . Josh called! Yes, we had chatted on IM and/or e-mail from time to time, but to hear his voice is something entirely different. Quite honestly, the e-mails came few and far between over the course of that time as well. I had last heard from him on May 1 and he called last Wednesday! He was tired. They are working very hard over there and stay pretty busy. It was tough to hang up the phone. We just wanted to stay connected for any amount of time longer.

I received an e-mail from him this morning. Here are some portions of that message...

"Everyone has been talking about the hot weather back at home. It is quite the talk of the town. This is funny because it was a 110 here today."

"We were watching the news and the economy just seems to be capsizing. The dollar is down against every major currency except the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso. Food prices are up, stocks are down, and (soldier) said that gas in Binghamton is $4.25. The news said that gas in NY could reach five dollars by the end of the summer. Good gravy!" (Thanks for reminding us, Josh! haha!)

Josh has been over there for 2 months now. It's sad to think that there is still so much more ahead of us. However, two months down is better than him still being in Fort Bragg.

Your continued thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated!

Task Force Phoenix VII - Take Two!

I heard that the previous YouTube video that I posted was no longer working. Here is another link to the same video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhrDYPEhymg

There were two versions of it, but it was the same video. I am wondering if this person is the actual owner of the video and the link I previously gave was a copy cat?

AH CHOO! Got tissues?

Josh appreciates all of the packages that he has received, but wanted me to share that he has plenty of tissues for the time being! He did say that should he or anyone get a cold that they have a great supply to draw from.

A special thanks to Nate and Steph Kidwell for their recent package to Josh. Stephanie went to Geneseo with me and Nate serves as a New York City fire fighter. They sent along NYFD t-shirts to Josh and his "truckmates." Sadly, Nate's firehouse lost several fire fighters on 9/11. Josh was especially grateful for the tube of toothpaste because he had just left his behind in the bathroom on the same day that he received the package.