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The Afghan Girl

The Afghan Girl

It was another cold night that night. I remember it vividly. Mostly due to the fact that out here you have to be alert at all times. My name is Sergeant Johnson, and at the time I was deployed at a remote outpost in the Warduj Valley. This valley is known for its high level of insurgent activity in the Warduj District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. I was deployed for seven months, and I have to say the toughest thing, other than the usual rocket attacks, was missing my new wife back home. Maybe that's why less than one percent of the American population joins the military.

As an infantryman in the Army there's not much that scares me anymore. I have seen the worst of the world and what it has to offer. This night, on the other hand, was different. To this day I still cannot explain what it was that happened that night.

It was 2300 hours on the 24th of December 2005. One more day until Christmas and there I was on guard duty in the northern most guard tower cleaning my M4 ready for whatever the Taliban had to offer to ruin the holidays this year. My relief will not be arriving for another nine hours. "Hey sergeant, beautiful Christmas eve isn't it?" It's one of my soldiers, Specialist Smith. One of the best men I'm honored to serve with.

"That it is Specialist." I say as he hands me a green monster he received in a care package from his family back home. Green monster is my favorite.

"No one should be alone for the first moments of Christmas." says Specialist Smith.

"Thank you" I said. We sat there for the better half of an hour talking about family, reminiscing on the hobbies we have back home such as fishing, drinking beer, and telling war stories.

It's about 0030 hours on December 25th when Specialist Smith stands up and says "Well sergeant, it's about time I get out of here and get some rest. The squad and I are going out on a foot march in the valley tomorrow."

"Roger that Specialist. Merry Christmas and be safe out there." I said.

"See you later sergeant." Said Specialist Smith.

Alone again I thought as I sat there and resumed cleaning my weapon and keeping an eye out for any nefarious activity when Private Dust appears saying there was reporting that came in a moment ago about someone being seen in the Command building which is located a few buildings south of my guard tower. Currently the command building is off limits to all personnel due to its renovation. At night it should be secluded.

"Sergeant, Lieutenant Hall ordered me to relieve you so you can go and check out what is going on." Said Private Dust.

"Alright Dust, you're in charge. Don't burn down the tower while I'm gone. I'll be right back." As I climbed down the guard tower I couldn't help but wonder what exactly it could be. It's probably just a dumb private trying to cause some trouble. This post is locked up like fort knocks. The only way an insurgent could get in would be to tunnel underground.

That, on the other hand, is very unlikely. It wasn't until later that I found out my thoughts were completely and utterly wrong.

Before I tell you exactly what happened that night perhaps it would be better for you to know what happened to me two years ago on my last deployment in Afghanistan. It was a hot day in Kandahar city. To be exact it was July 13th 2003. I was a Specialist back then. My squad and I were on a convoy to go root out insurgent activity in the local populace. We were about halfway there when an IED exploded, and rolled our HMMWV. As I exited the destroyed vehicle I couldn't help but notice the small girl lying on the side of the road. I walked over to see if she was okay.

It's not abnormal to see collateral damage when we are attacked. The streets are full of people, and when we get attacked, sadly, so do they. As I arrived upon the girl I noticed her she had small holes in her body and most of her skin was ripped apart. Even both of her eyes had fallen out of its socket. She couldn't have been more than twelve years old. At that time a man comes running up screaming "my child, my child! What have you done! It is your fault this happened. If it was not for your country, our people and my child would not have to live in fear like this. This is all your fault!" Before the situation could get any worse my sergeant grabbed the man and got him away from me. We called in to command and they got us out of there. I have never been able to get over that moment in my life.