Afghanistan has come to reflect to Afghans and Americans the worst of cross-cultural interaction – from US soldier killing 17 civilians (including 9 children) to US personnel killed by Afghan/Taliban posers purportedly retaliating for Koran burnings. Stories from Afghanistan have gone from bad to worse but would also imply an unbridgeable gap.
Dennis Weichel (Photo Above) of the Rhode Island National Guard lost his life successfully saving the life of a little Afghan girl. “According to the Rhode Island National Guard and the U.S. Army, Weichel was in a convoy a week ago with his unit in Laghman Province, in northeast Afghanistan. Some children were in the road in front of the convoy, and Weichel and other troops got out to move them out of the way.Most of the children moved, but one little girl went back to pick up some brass shell casings in the road. Afghan civilians often recycle the casings, and the girl appeared to aim to do that. But a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle was moving toward her, according to Lt. Col. Denis Riel of the Rhode Island National Guard. MRAPs, as they are known, usually weigh more than 16 tons. Weichel saw massive truck bearing down on the girl and grabbed her out of the way. But in the process, the armored truck ran him over, Riel said.The little girl is fine. Weichel died a short time later of his injuries. “ From CNN March 29, 2012
"He was a big kid at heart. He always had a smile on his face, and he made everyone laugh," 1st Sgt. Nicky Peppe, who served with Weichel in Iraq, is quoted as saying in an Army story. "But as much as Weichel was funny, he was also a professional. When it was time to go outside the wire for a combat patrol, he was all business."
There may be little positive to see grasp from current US/NATO mission in Afghanistan. However, it is good to be reminded of the humanity that binds all of us, especially in the face of so much negativity. It is also a vision that fuels efforts by Francesco Rulli & Film Annex team to catalyze Afghanistan Development http://www.filmannex.com/webtv/afghandevelopment on one side and to provide assistance, mentoring and opportunities for American Veterans returning from combat. See G.I.V.E. - http://www.filmannex.com/posts/blog_show_post/film-annex-launches-give-to-empower-war-veterans-and-make-their-business-plans-a-reality/48079
See our Blog for Film – “Afghanistan from War to Development” http://diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/afghanistan-from-war-to-development/48822
By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey – Follow @MuhamedSacirbey
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