Day 110: Seven Years Ago

Seven years ago today, I walked into the subway stop at the Pentagon on my way to school. It was a normal day and this was part of my normal routine--leave home, catch a ride to the Pentagon, and then ride the subway into school. Little did I realize, that a few hours later, I would return to the Pentagon. However, this time the journey was not part of a normal trip home. I watched as flames engulfed the front portion of the building where terrorists had just hijacked and crashed a commercial airplane. The date was September, 11, 2001. A day I, nor few who witnessed the tragedy, will soon forget.


I was in my second year of medical school at George Washington. Sue had just survived nine months of morning sickness and our beautiful little Abbie was almost 5 months old. I had recently joined the Navy. Life was busy but we were happy living in our little 2 bedroom apartment in Lorton, Virginia.

I had an 8 AM lecture on that day. I don’t remember the topic of that lecture but I do remember the break we had after the speaker was concluded. I called Sue to say hi and was shocked to hear her in tears. She told me of planes crashing into buildings in New York and something about the Pentagon. I didn’t know what she was talking about but before I could ask questions I started noticing some commotion in the hallway. I told her I would call her back in a few minutes, not realizing it would be several hours before I would hear her voice again. I walked into the library where the news was playing and watched in horror with my fellow students as scenes of the planes crashing in New York were replayed.

Within a few minutes, an announcement was made that the school was to be evacuated. We were told to leave immediately. My friend Travis and I grabbed our bags and left. Once outside, we realized that not only was our school being evacuated but the entire city. It was a mass exodus on foot as thousands of people tried to find a way home. The subway was closed. No one knew exactly what was happening but there was talk of “more planes”, car bombs, and speculation about who was behind the attack.

Our only way home was to walk by way of the Pentagon. We jumped the fence into Arlington Cemetery which is right in front of the Pentagon and watched as smoke and flames rose from the crash site. Rescue workers were frantically working. Helicopters were flying overhead. At some point, someone yelled that another plane was coming and the small group I was with ran through the cemetery away from the Pentagon. Once we realized that no plane was on its way, we walked back to the fence and just watched. It was a surreal experience as we watched, through the smoke and chaos, history being written right in front of our eyes. We saw a rescue worker and explained that we were medical students and that we could help. He told us to come on over. We jumped over the fence, not sure what we would do on the other side, but confident that a 2nd year medical student could be helpful. Our rescue efforts didn’t last long as we were quickly escorted off Pentagon property being told that our help wasn’t needed.

I called Sue from a gas station nearby, told her I was alright, and then continued on the walk home. Shortly thereafter, by some twist of fate, my Elders quorum president drove by as we were walking and picked us up--saving us the final 10 miles of walking that lay between us and home. Once at home, Sue and I hugged, we cried, and I kissed my sweet little baby girl. It had never felt so good to be back home with those I loved the most.

Seven years later, the effects of that day are still shaping my life and that of my family. When those planes crashed, it started a series of events that ultimately led to me leaving my family and loved ones and coming to Afghanistan. I think of those who lost so much that day. I think of those who never went home. Somehow my sacrifice seems small compared to what they gave. I pray that my work here, as small as it may be, will honor those whose lives were lost on that September day.

Day 109: Adraskan

Today I left base to go on a site visit down to Adraskan. Adraskan is a small town about an hour south of Herat. It was the longest drive I have been on yet and it gave me a chance to see a little more of the countryside and the people. I went and visited a small clinic they have at a police training facility just outside of the city. It was a nice and uneventful trip. I thought you might enjoy some of the scenery. Sorry if some of the pictures are blurry (driving fast) or appear smudged (dirty windows).

Day 108: Outside the Wire

Like it or not, my current job is one which occasionally requires me to leave base and go “outside the wire”. There are advantages and disadvantages of leaving the FOB (forward operating base). The obvious disadvantage of leaving base is that there are “bad guys” who aren’t always friendly to American or NATO forces. The advantage is that it breaks up the monotony of living on a small piece of dusty land where, outside of work, there is really nothing to do. Another advantage, and probably the most important one, is that leaving base allows me to interact with the Afghan people, learn more of their culture, and find ways to serve and help them.

I don’t bring up the issue to scare people or make people nervous. I don’t bring it up to make my job seem more “exciting” than it really is. The honest truth is, that all things considered, I have a pretty safe job. I mention it only because I have been strengthened by a loving Father as I have turned to him with some of my fears and anxiety. I think for most people, “reality” hits at some point as they arrive in Afghanistan and realize that they really aren’t in Kansas anymore (no pun intended).

I have found peace each morning as I kneel and pray for guidance and protection. Knowing that I am being watched over by One who knows me and loves me perfectly brings a sense of security and comfort. I am grateful that I have an amazing wife who pleads for me constantly and children who pray with simple faith that “daddy will be safe”. I am grateful for parents, brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, friends and complete strangers who pray in my behalf. I know those prayers are heard and recognized. As I return safely home each day, I kneel and give thanks for another day, a safe return, and for experience that has been gained.

I often wonder, as I reflect on the purpose of this deployment, what the Lord has in store to teach me. I know that by having me go “outside the wire”, I have learned to pray more honestly and trust more fully. We don’t always understand the Plan. However, I am grateful that there is one, and that life’s experiences help us to gain the faith, knowledge and humility needed to reach our eternal potential.

This is the lead vehicle in our convoy as we stopped by the Herat airport.

Here I am with one of the doctors we visited on our mission.

Day 106: Ramadan

Muslims around the world right now are involved in their holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, fasting is practiced from dawn to sunset daily for 30 days. They are not to eat or drink during this period as a way to put aside worldliness, overcome temptations, and come closer to God. At the same time, they are to give zakat or offerings to the poor as part of Ramadan. Prayer is also an essential part of this period.

Fasting is an important part of my religious beliefs as well. For those who may not be familiar with my faith, we fast a minimum of one time per month. The day set aside for fasting is typically the first Sunday of each month. Besides not eating or drinking during this period, we are to pray and focus on the things of God. Similar to Islam, we give a monetary offering as part of our fast to help the poor and needy.

Today was my Sabbath--although it didn’t feel like it because I worked all day. Regardless, I was able to join my Muslim brothers and sisters and spend the day fasting. Especially at this time, as I am in a strange and often dangerous country, I am grateful for the strength gained through relying on my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the gift of the fast and pray it will strengthen myself and my family over this difficult year.

Day 105: An Introduction to Afghan Medicine

Today I took a field trip to the Afghan National Army Hospital in Herat. I actually work with the police, not the army, but I figured this would be a good opportunity to introduce myself to Afghan medicine and network a little bit. The hospital is just outside the American base and on the Afghan Army base. The hospital itself looks like a clinic more than a hospital. It is quite small but it was surprisingly well equipped. There is a lab, radiology, ICU, Emergency room, operating room, etc. There were a lot of “doctors” around although I am not sure what they were doing. Overall I was impressed with the facilities. The patient care was more suspect...lack of necessary medications, undertrained doctors, and antiquated practices. I would never think of taking anyone I knew to that hospital, but by Afghan standards it was alright. The scary thing is that the army medical system is light years ahead of the police system...so I may see some interesting stuff over the next few months.

Above is pictured my interpreter and I in front of the hospital.

Day 104: Labor Day on Camp Stone

Friday, or Jumaa as it is called here, is Islam’s holy day. Consequently, it is harder to get work done here because our Afghan counterparts are not working. So we use Fridays as our light work day. Don’t get me wrong, we still worked today. Basically it is a seven day work week here with Fridays being the “dress down day”. Everyone wears PT gear (work out clothes) and you can come in and out of work as you please.

Since Labor Day was a work day, there was some celebration of the holiday today instead. One of the activities was a three-point contest and of course I couldn’t resist the urge to give it a try. I had visions of the new guy coming in and surprising everyone with a victory. The only problem was the wind. Herat has what is known as the 120 days of wind where it blows sunrise to sunset for 4 months. We are still in that period and so the wind is pretty strong. As you can see in the pictures below, the flag is flying straight out due to the wind.


So instead of having all of my shots fall nicely into the hoop as I had envisioned, they were blown off course. I know, a likely excuse you are thinking. But really it was pretty challenging to make anything. Well, as it turned out I didn’t win the contest. In fact I only made 2/27 shots (that’s a 7% field goal percentage). Not good, but at least I can blame it on the wind.


Happy Labor Day--four days late!

Day 103: First Day on the Job

One of the most difficult days of any job is probably the first day. Now it isn’t difficult because you do much. Typically there are orientation meetings, paperwork to fill out, people to meet and tours of your new workspace. It is difficult only in the sense that you are thrown into a completely new environment, with new people, and a job you don’t really know how to do.

That was my experience today. Not only am I starting a new job, but I am doing something completely different from anything I have done before. My job is to mentor members of the Afghan National Police medical force. I will be ordering supplies, helping determine what equipment to buy, figuring out how a clinic should be designed--all stuff I never learned in residency. No longer will I be taking care of patients, but instead I will be advising “doctors” (a lot of the doctors aren’t really doctors apparently) how to fix their broken healthcare system. Hence, today was a day filled with questions, confusion, more questions, and of course more confusion. The real problem was that I didn’t know to whom I could address any of my questions. My predecessor is gone and the rest of the guys in the office do “real Army” stuff.

So I spent the day calling random people, sifting through piles of paper, and searching on our work computer for clues about what I am here to do. Oh well, at least the first day is over--it can only get easier from here (I think?).

Here is a picture of my new living accommodations. I have my own room--well sort of. I live in a long building call a B-hut. The rooms consist of plywood partitions that separate one living area from the next. It’s not the Ritz Carlton but at least I finally have a little space to call my own.

Day 102: Home Sweet Home

After nearly 2 weeks of travel, I finally slept in “my bed” last night. That’s right, I finally arrived in Herat last evening. There was an unexpected Italian flight that left Kabul yesterday and we were quick to jump on it. The flight was uneventful although exciting. We again flew in a C-130 and had the usual cargo net seating, no bathroom, quick ascent, and winding, fast-banking descent, much like I described when we flew into Kabul. Once I arrived I ate some dinner, checked out my new office and then unpacked. It is a great feeling to know that I no longer have to live out of a suitcase. I am excited to finally get working and start doing something worthwhile.

The name of our base is Camp Stone which is named after an Army sargeant who died in this area. In the coming days I will post pictures and describe more of what it is like (once I figure it out myself).

I love you and miss you all.

Day 100: Still Waiting

What would you do with 96+ h0urs of free time? I know the mothers of the little children in the audience would die to find themselves with my current problem. Since I have been stuck in Kabul I have been reading, watching some movies, and walking aimlessly around the base. Yesterday I went through some family pictures we took right before I left. I had time to play around with them and thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

Day 99: Living with the Hungarians

Right now I am living in a connex box. Basically, this is a shipping container that has been converted to living space. It is a very common form of housing here on Afghan bases due to their availability and the ease of converting them to living space. The only reason I am living in it is that my flight from Kabul to Herat keeps getting delayed. We were supposed to leave Sunday, then Tuesday, and now the plan is to leave Thursday. I guess I should be used to the waiting by now after nearly 100 days of doing so.


I am heading to Herat with one other person. We have been sharing the 4 man connex box alone. However, today we got a few new roommates. They are from Hungary and are here for a few days while awaiting a shipment from home. They actually speak pretty good English, so it has been fun talking to them. Kabul International Airport is run by NATO and there are people from many countries here. I have seen representatives from Australia, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Turkey, Germany, Iceland, and obviously the US and Afghanistan. It is interesting to see their different camps, uniforms, weapons, vehicles, etc. As much as they are different, it is amazing how similar they are. Just talking with the Hungarians made me realize that regardless of your nationality we share many of the same struggles, find joy in many of the same things, and ultimately want the same thing--to better the lives of our Afghan brothers and then to get home ASAP.