The Camp Eggers flag plaza, honoring the fallen with a half-staff salute.
The flag plaza here is dichotomous. On one hand, it's a great testament to the multi-national force that's in Afghanistan working together to achieve something that's never been achieved before in this region of the world. On the other, it's an instrument of news for the Taliban and other insurgent groups active in-country, as they play a morbid game of whack-a-mole on the staves. When I took the above picture earlier this week, America and Canada were the latest casualties. Tonight it's Great Britain. The enemy doesn't care who's flag they strike, as long as they fall often. And unfortunately, rare is the day when the half-staff is not occupied.
So today, while you're in celebration of our country's birth, I ask that you remember our country wasn't born without blood, and blood must still be paid from time to time. The soldiers here have all volunteered to make that sacrifice, if necessary. When you shoot off your fireworks, remember the men and women here facing a much more frightening round of pyrotechnics. When you raise a glass (or a can) at your barbecue, raise another for the soldiers here unable to partake. And when you wave your flags in honor of America, remember the flags on the shoulders of our troops, always moving forward towards the goal, and the home front beyond.
And to the revelers at the Sperry's and the Wilson's, don't burn off your eyebrows.
Stay safe everyone. Happy 4th.
Out here.
Very thought provoking. I would wake every day and say a prayer that they would all be full staff. When they weren't, it would say exactly what is meant to say - we lost someone very special. Thanks for sharing.
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