Imagine taking one of these to work. The CH147DChinook.
Speaking of which, here's another letter I received today from Afghanistan, from my wife Lori - show tour director for a current series of rock concerts for the Canadian troops. (to see yesterday's letter click HERE). (plus there's a previous post this week featuring Dilana from Rockstar Supernova series)
Feb 27-10
Jeff,
Today we all feel much better after a good night’s sleep. We had a tour of the South Bank which is the US expansion of this base in Kandahar (referred to as KAF). We're all looking forward to our show tonight and we are told there will be anywhere from 5,000 to 7,500 people attending which has us all pretty pumped.
Tomorrow we fly off to a smaller base - we were supposed to fly in Blackhawks which would have pretty amazing but I'm told we are now taking a Chinook. I'll be happy to be at a smaller base - KAF is just too much - overwhelming and hard to explain.
Yesterday, I sat with a soldier named Jeff who works on the base in radio... the parallel / coincidence blew me away. He shared his story with me and explained that in radio, he hears all communications so he tends to know about things before anyone else. Being in the know isn't such a great thing here. Imagine hearing that a Canadian soldier you know and work with, has died, and then having to go to dinner with people with whom he works, and not be able to tell them the tragic news because it’s classified. This information must be shared following a certain chain of command. He has to hold in so much. Blows me away. Then his unbelievable generosity - he was so grateful that I sat and listened that he gave me a badge right off his sleeve! As it turns out, during his last 7 months on the base, he’s been carrying three Saint ornaments with him … he pulled one out - the patron Saint of communications - and gave that to me as well. I feel as though he has passed along some good luck and for the first time I feel true meaning and the purpose in this trip. And, this wasn't a man / woman thing. This was a person / person thing.
Ahhhh getting cut off in 40 seconds... from internet service...I love you... I'll send more when I can.
Lori.
xoxoxox
(end)
The show goes today with a couple more to come this week. I'll post another letter when Lori writes again.
Cheers,
Jeff