Preparing war dead for burial is a religious calling, Afghan man says
The Washington Post
By Kevin Sieff
Published: July 6, 2013
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The man who spends his days surrounded by dead Afghan soldiers waits in a faded shipping container across from the morgue. But Noorulah Noori rarely waits long before he is called to work.
Inside the container is a bed, a fan and a hose for washing the bodies. He has prepared at least a thousand of them for burial over the past decade: victims of roadside bombs, gunshots, mortar rounds and disease, delivered to him in all the shapes death takes.
Noori, 33, removes the soldiers from identical wooden coffins that are draped in Afghanistan's flag, and he performs his duty, preparing each for burial in the Islamic tradition. He washes off blood and dirt, sprinkles perfume and covers each in a white sheet, or kafan. That's how their families will see them when they make it home.
What Noori sees first is much more bracing — a relentless procession of bodies just off the battlefield. He takes anti-anxiety medication to help him sleep. He doesn't tell his family anything about his job at one of the Afghan military's busiest medical centers, Kandahar Regional Military Hospital.
read more here
Showing posts with label Kandahar Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kandahar Afghanistan. Show all posts
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Pizza delivery Guinness Record from Chicago to Afghanistan
Pizza Delivery to Afghanistan Troops Sets Guinness Record
ABC News
Susanna Kim
May 22, 2013
A pizza mission to U.S. military service members in Afghanistan has made the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest pizza delivery.
Pizza 4 Patriots, a 501(c)3 registered non-profit based in Illinois, has been sending pizzas to military service members abroad for the last five years.
Last summer, Pizza 4 Patriots and shipping company DHL organized their biggest delivery yet: 30,000 pizzas to service members in Kandahar, Bagram and Camp Bastion in Afghanistan in celebration of Independence Day. The delivery began June 21, 2012. DHL donated its services and loaded the pizza shipments at a service center in Chicago.
read more here
ABC News
Susanna Kim
May 22, 2013
A pizza mission to U.S. military service members in Afghanistan has made the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest pizza delivery.
Pizza 4 Patriots, a 501(c)3 registered non-profit based in Illinois, has been sending pizzas to military service members abroad for the last five years.
Last summer, Pizza 4 Patriots and shipping company DHL organized their biggest delivery yet: 30,000 pizzas to service members in Kandahar, Bagram and Camp Bastion in Afghanistan in celebration of Independence Day. The delivery began June 21, 2012. DHL donated its services and loaded the pizza shipments at a service center in Chicago.
read more here
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Troops in Kandahar send message to Boston, stand strong
A Dark Day in Boston Resembles Too Many in Afghanistan
April 19th, 2013
by Capt. Thomas L. Dickens
These acts of terrorism bring about a feeling of familiarity for those of us serving in Afghanistan. First, it was an act of terror on American soil that opened the door to our engagement in South Asia. And while the number of casualties from 9/11 was much greater than last week, their similarities lie in that they both brought with them the immense feelings of fear that are meant to paralyze our lives.
The second parallel with the Boston bombing is that we unfortunately are seeing similar attacks on a regular basis in Afghanistan. We now know that the attacks in Boston were the result of two homemade improvised explosive devices (IEDs) made with pressure cookers and commonly found items such as ball bearings, BB s and everyday hardware like nails. These cheaply made weapons are highly effective in that they inflict terror by tearing through flesh and creating unfathomable damage to their victims. IEDs are the weapon of choice for al Qaeda cells as well as local insurgents who wish to stop the democratization of Afghanistan.
read more here
April 19th, 2013
by Capt. Thomas L. Dickens
"Our message to the people of Boston must be consistent with that we send to the people of Afghanistan: stand strong."Last week, word quickly spread through Regional Command South in Kandahar of the horrific attacks that took place during the Boston Marathon. Major General Robert Abrams, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, promptly ordered that flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen. And while we were thousands of miles away, our hearts were with and continue to be with the victims of this act of terror and their families.
These acts of terrorism bring about a feeling of familiarity for those of us serving in Afghanistan. First, it was an act of terror on American soil that opened the door to our engagement in South Asia. And while the number of casualties from 9/11 was much greater than last week, their similarities lie in that they both brought with them the immense feelings of fear that are meant to paralyze our lives.
The second parallel with the Boston bombing is that we unfortunately are seeing similar attacks on a regular basis in Afghanistan. We now know that the attacks in Boston were the result of two homemade improvised explosive devices (IEDs) made with pressure cookers and commonly found items such as ball bearings, BB s and everyday hardware like nails. These cheaply made weapons are highly effective in that they inflict terror by tearing through flesh and creating unfathomable damage to their victims. IEDs are the weapon of choice for al Qaeda cells as well as local insurgents who wish to stop the democratization of Afghanistan.
read more here
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Combat hospital at Kandahar Airfield, a daily fight for life
Near Afghanistan’s front lines, a daily fight for life
THE COMBAT HOSPITAL at Kandahar Airfield is among the most advanced treatment facilities to ever operate in a war zone. Roughly 70 percent of its patients come straight from the battlefield. In addition to U.S. and coalition service members, the hospital treats Afghans. For the staff, every day is spent working to keep death at bay.
PART ONE | The NATO hospital at Kandahar is among the most advanced treatment facilities to ever operate in a war zone. Their job is to save the war's worst casualties.
By Corinne Reilly
The Virginian Pilot
© July 31, 2011
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN
The doctors can hear the wailing before their patient is even in sight.
A second later, a flight medic bursts through the trauma department doors. His face is serious. He’s short of breath. Outside, corpsmen rush to unload a soldier from a military ambulance that carried him here from a Black Hawk. Two dozen doctors, nurses and surgeons have been awaiting their arrival.
“Who am I talking to?” the medic shouts.
“Here!” blurts Lt. Cmdr. Ron Bolen, the head of the hospital’s trauma department. He points to the Navy doctor leading the team that will examine the soldier first.
“OK, you’ve got tourniquets on both legs,” the medic gulps. “The right one is totally gone to at least the knee. He lost a lot of blood.”
The doctor hurriedly inquires about vital signs, fluids administered in the field, and the weapon that caused the explosion that did all this.
The next question would usually be whether the patient is conscious, but this time no one has to ask.
Outside, the wailing is getting louder.
read more here
Near Afghanistan front lines
THE COMBAT HOSPITAL at Kandahar Airfield is among the most advanced treatment facilities to ever operate in a war zone. Roughly 70 percent of its patients come straight from the battlefield. In addition to U.S. and coalition service members, the hospital treats Afghans. For the staff, every day is spent working to keep death at bay.
PART ONE | The NATO hospital at Kandahar is among the most advanced treatment facilities to ever operate in a war zone. Their job is to save the war's worst casualties.
By Corinne Reilly
The Virginian Pilot
© July 31, 2011
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN
The doctors can hear the wailing before their patient is even in sight.
A second later, a flight medic bursts through the trauma department doors. His face is serious. He’s short of breath. Outside, corpsmen rush to unload a soldier from a military ambulance that carried him here from a Black Hawk. Two dozen doctors, nurses and surgeons have been awaiting their arrival.
“Who am I talking to?” the medic shouts.
“Here!” blurts Lt. Cmdr. Ron Bolen, the head of the hospital’s trauma department. He points to the Navy doctor leading the team that will examine the soldier first.
“OK, you’ve got tourniquets on both legs,” the medic gulps. “The right one is totally gone to at least the knee. He lost a lot of blood.”
The doctor hurriedly inquires about vital signs, fluids administered in the field, and the weapon that caused the explosion that did all this.
The next question would usually be whether the patient is conscious, but this time no one has to ask.
Outside, the wailing is getting louder.
read more here
Near Afghanistan front lines
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
8 U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan
8 U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan
October 27, 2009 4:26 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Seven soldiers killed were inside armored vehicles, military official says
October 2009 is deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since war began
Afghan civilian working with NATO also killed in attacks
Several other U.S. service members wounded, U.S. military says
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The U.S. military suffered another day of heavy losses in Afghanistan on Tuesday as roadside bombs killed eight soldiers, two military officials told CNN.
An Afghan civilian working with NATO troops also was killed in the attacks in southern Afghanistan, the military said. The officials said that, according to initial reports, one blast took place just outside Kandahar and the other was in neighboring Zabul province.
Seven of the soldiers who died were traveling together in one vehicle, said Sgt. Jerome Baysmore with the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.
read more here
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/afghan.deaths/index.html
October 27, 2009 4:26 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Seven soldiers killed were inside armored vehicles, military official says
October 2009 is deadliest month for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since war began
Afghan civilian working with NATO also killed in attacks
Several other U.S. service members wounded, U.S. military says
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The U.S. military suffered another day of heavy losses in Afghanistan on Tuesday as roadside bombs killed eight soldiers, two military officials told CNN.
An Afghan civilian working with NATO troops also was killed in the attacks in southern Afghanistan, the military said. The officials said that, according to initial reports, one blast took place just outside Kandahar and the other was in neighboring Zabul province.
Seven of the soldiers who died were traveling together in one vehicle, said Sgt. Jerome Baysmore with the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.
read more here
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/27/afghan.deaths/index.html
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Two Canadians hurt during outpost attack in Afghanistan
Two Canadians hurt during outpost attack in Afghanistan
Tom Blackwell , Canwest News Service
Published: Sunday, September 28, 2008
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Two Canadian soldiers were hurt, one of them seriously, when Taliban insurgents attacked an outpost west of Kandahar City on Saturday with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
One of the soldiers has been released from hospital, and the other is in stable condition but will be transferred to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
"I just came from speaking with him. The soldier is in very good spirits," said Colonel Jamie Cade, deputy commander of Canada's mission in Kandahar. "He's going to be OK."
click post title for more
linked from ICasualties.org
Tom Blackwell , Canwest News Service
Published: Sunday, September 28, 2008
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Two Canadian soldiers were hurt, one of them seriously, when Taliban insurgents attacked an outpost west of Kandahar City on Saturday with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
One of the soldiers has been released from hospital, and the other is in stable condition but will be transferred to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
"I just came from speaking with him. The soldier is in very good spirits," said Colonel Jamie Cade, deputy commander of Canada's mission in Kandahar. "He's going to be OK."
click post title for more
linked from ICasualties.org
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Canadian soldier, non-combat death in Afghanistan
Canadian soldier found dead at undisclosed Middle Eastern base
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A Canadian soldier was found dead in the sleeping area of a Middle Eastern military base.
The death of Cpl. Brendan Anthony Downey, a military policeman based in Dundurn, Sask., had been declared non-combat-related even before investigators arrived at the base.
The Canadian base in the Arabian desert offers logistical support to the military operation in Afghanistan.
click post title for more
UPDATE
Canadian soldier found dead at Middle Eastern base a 'committed patriot': family
20 hours ago
DUNDURN, Sask. — The family of a Canadian soldier who was found dead at a Middle Eastern military base Friday describe him as a "committed patriot" who joined the military in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The military is investigating the non-combat-related death of Brendan Anthony Downey.
Downey, a military policeman based in Dundurn, Sask., was posted to a little-known Canadian base in the Arabian desert that offers logistical support to the military operation in Afghanistan.
A statement released by his family on Sunday says he was overjoyed to hear of his wife's recent pregnancy, and he will be sorely missed by his wife, his two-year-old son and the rest of his family and friends.
Downey will receive a military tribute and his name will be added to Kandahar Airfield's memorial for 85 other soldiers and one diplomat killed during the Afghanistan mission.
His death is the mission's 11th non-combat fatality.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jf-QchKwTIXKBXOTwvlcKjL7QiAQ
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A Canadian soldier was found dead in the sleeping area of a Middle Eastern military base.
The death of Cpl. Brendan Anthony Downey, a military policeman based in Dundurn, Sask., had been declared non-combat-related even before investigators arrived at the base.
The Canadian base in the Arabian desert offers logistical support to the military operation in Afghanistan.
click post title for more
UPDATE
Canadian soldier found dead at Middle Eastern base a 'committed patriot': family
20 hours ago
DUNDURN, Sask. — The family of a Canadian soldier who was found dead at a Middle Eastern military base Friday describe him as a "committed patriot" who joined the military in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The military is investigating the non-combat-related death of Brendan Anthony Downey.
Downey, a military policeman based in Dundurn, Sask., was posted to a little-known Canadian base in the Arabian desert that offers logistical support to the military operation in Afghanistan.
A statement released by his family on Sunday says he was overjoyed to hear of his wife's recent pregnancy, and he will be sorely missed by his wife, his two-year-old son and the rest of his family and friends.
Downey will receive a military tribute and his name will be added to Kandahar Airfield's memorial for 85 other soldiers and one diplomat killed during the Afghanistan mission.
His death is the mission's 11th non-combat fatality.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jf-QchKwTIXKBXOTwvlcKjL7QiAQ
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