Photo By Master Sgt. Kap Kim | U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David A. Barrera shows off his military working dog, Sam,...... read more read more
Subscribe
KABUL, Afghanistan – Travelling across Afghanistan Thanksgiving day, International Security Assistance Force commander Gen. John R. Allen was able to spend the holiday with some of those for whom he is most thankful – his troops.
In addition to presenting awards badges and coins to select service members in Helmand, Kandahar and Wardak provinces, the ISAF commander expressed his deep appreciation for what the troops accomplish every day.
“I use a day like this to count my blessings -- to remember to God why I’m thankful for certain things,” Allen said to Task Force Spartan soldiers at Forward Operating Base Pasab.
“I’m thankful for being in uniform, I’m thankful for being a part of this struggle, but, I am most thankful for being with you here today as you accomplish this great mission, as you sacrifice on behalf of these people and our great country, as you bring us victory.”
For their part, the units and troops were simply grateful for the visit itself.
“It’s really awesome that he came here. The soldiers like to interact with him and just talk with him about what they do here. We really appreciate having him come to visit Combat Outpost Nerkh,” said Capt. Justin Patton, the commander of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, out of Fort Bliss, Texas.
This appreciation was expressed throughout the general’s Thanksgiving visits. At Combat Outpost Alcatraz, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kevin Sheehy of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., certainly felt the impact of the general’s visit.
“What Gen. Allen said impacted a lot of Marines here to know there’s more than family out there – more than blood – there’s a Marine Corps that cares about you, and you’ll meet some of the greatest people here,” said Sheehy, a Lanoka Harbor, N.J., native.
While Allen, like all of the troops, was unable to spend Thanksgiving with his family in the United States, spending the holiday with his deployed troops, and the families they had formed, was reason enough to give thanks.
“I am thankful to God to be with you today,” Allen said. “You are born into some families and you marry into some families. But, there is another family out there—and it’s important on a day like today—and that’s the family of your unit.”
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2011 16:26 |
| Story ID: | 80538 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 648 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Thankful to serve: Gen. Allen spends holiday with the troops, by SSG April Campbell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
