American and Afghan Alike—Honoring the Fallen

Pashtun names-- a dozen or so this week-- blare across the screen.

They represent personnel of the Afghan National Army, National Police force, and local police who have died in duty during the last few d
ays. I could pronounce some of the names if I tried, but I don't recognize any of them.

Still, they are my comrades. A two-star general, the one who commands all ISAF troops in southern Afghanistan, orders us to stand as we pay our respects. We honor the fallen of ISAF-- including American troops-- if there are any.

One American has died in our regional command this month. That means Afghans are taking the brunt of the insurgency. And while a dead American Soldier will always be a harder loss to bear than one from another country, Afghan KIAs (killed in action) are recognized as a sacrifice just as sacrosanct. 

The presentation that announces the troop deaths reads,

Soldiers do not fight because they hate what's in front of them. They fight because they love what's behind them. 

I can't pretend that American Soldiers would admit to loving Afghanistan enough to die for its freedom. But some of them have died, and all of us know the risk. And here we are.

We will soon leave, and these Afghan patriots who are fighting barbarism will continue to fight. To those back home who say that Afghanistan is a hopeless cause, I say you should meet some of the people who are willing to lay down their lives for a more civilized future. They have hope.

I haven't met many of them. But I have seen their names. I know what they did. And yes, I honor them.