Kandahar Airfield Gets A Football Field and Track

Even in Afghanistan, the military must have its diversions. Just in time for Thanksgiving football, our new artificial turf field was finished. The rubberized track was finished soon thereafter. I figure the Air Force must have had something to do with it, as they always have the best amenities. They were probably turned down by DoD for a golf course here, so they settled for a football field, complete with track. In all seriousness, I am glad that taxpayer money did not go to this project, and it was completed with MWR funds that come from commissary/PX sales and the like.

It is, however, kind of nice to have. It definitely makes the boardwalk interior more colorful and useful. Besides, if the Canadians can have their hockey rink, the least that we can do is build a football field, right????? It was entertaining the other night walking along the Boardwalk after dinner, watching some hockey, soccer (played on the basketball court of all places:), and flag football games all going on. It is just another way to get at least a LITTLE taste of home while serving over here.......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone back home. I got to celebrate eleven and a half hours earlier than all of you. Today we should be thankful for all the blessings we have in our lives, that we often take for granted. Looking around where I am right now, we all have much to be grateful for!

Shelter- a real roof over our heads, a solid floor, running water, and indoor plumbing.

Food- turkey and all the trimmings today, and not worrying if we will have some tomorrow, too.

Freedom- in too many ways to list.

Safety- that we don't have to worry while going about our daily lives.

Opportunity- to succeed as well as to fail, but opportunity nevertheless.

Health and healthcare-we enjoy the best system in the world to help us when we need it most.

Family- the most important of all, and what I am most thankful for!

On this Thanksgiving in Kandahar, it was a beautiful day at the Boardwalk. In many ways similar to home. People off work, enjoying themselves before a turkey feast. Playing volleyball and flag football (on our new artificial turf field that you can see in the background!). Spending time with friends. Our hospital group (spearheaded by my two corpsmen), decided to give back by organizing a "Turkey Day Tire Flip" to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Program, which helps take care of our wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines after they transition out of the hospital, both here as well as back in the US. We flipped a 275lb MRAP tire a total of 3500 times, or over 5km! We raised almost $2,000 to donate to the program. It was an awesome time to give back as we realize all too well here just how lucky we are. I was happy just to "flip it" more times than my age (I did 50 flips, or one "lap.") My corpsman HM2 Maher did it over 300 times! (However, he is going to Marine Recon (special forces) training after this deployment and is just barely over half my age). As is the norm here, my trauma team got called in to the hospital just a little over halfway through the event. Our job here is never done, even on Thanksgiving........

Love, hugs, and kisses to all back home! I miss you all!

UofA beats ASU 31-27!

Even in Afghanistan, a world away, I can't be stopped from following the Cats! Despite a miserable season, they manage to end on a high note for me to bring a little sunshine my way! A nailbiter to be sure, and despite 2 missed field goals, we pulled it off. I am sorry to have been unable to witness it in person, but following it closely over the internet on a sunny Sunday afternoon was still a treat. Maybe "Flat Brad" made it in person, though...........

The Canadians Are Leaving:(!

The Canadians are leaving this month. They are not leaving Afghanistan, but are moving their resources to another area. It is strange being able to have a celebration in a TGIF’s in Afghanistan. Outside, on the Boardwalk, it is not your usual TGIF’s. But inside, you would never know you were thousands of miles from the US, if it were not for the NA beer and “virgin” drinks served at the “bar” and with dinner (oh yeah, and the fact that almost everyone is ARMED). Pictured is my trauma team, including the former leader, Doug, an active duty Canadian ER doc and our active duty Canadian nurse, Tammy. They will both be sorely missed by the rest of us.

Reality hit hard a few days ago. A young soldier, barely out of his teens, came in to the trauma bay with a gunshot wound to his chest, just outside the protection of his vest. Despite heroic attempts by six physicians as well as multiple nurses and corpsmen, we were unable to save his life. My first “dignified transfer,” which is the name given to the ceremony as we transfer a fallen soldier out of the hospital to the flight line, was an experience I will never forget. To see over 50 people from throughout the hospital come down and line the hallway from the trauma bay to the door leading to the flight line to pay their respect for the fallen warrior was awe inspiring. It is hard to stand at attention as the flag draped soldier goes by and keep focused with tears welling up in your eyes.

As is the modus operandi in any ER, however, our team had to focus and get right back to the job at hand and prepare for the next patient coming in….

11/11/11 VETERAN'S DAY

111111. Interesting number and date this year. Veteran’s Day. Armistice Day. Remembrance Day. It is called my many names throughout the world. It is known by many names throughout our coalition here in Kandahar at the Role 3 Hospital as well. Our hospital is actually called “NATO Role 3, MMU.” The “MMU” stands for “Multinational Medical Unit,” which truly describes us. It was amazing this morning, to commemorate (I won’t say “celebrate,” as it is really not a day to “celebrate”) this day we had a ceremony outside the hospital, with many nations represented. To see all our flags together was impressive. Both our XO (a Canadian Colonel) and our CO (a US Navy Captain) spoke at the ceremony. A US Navy petty officer sang our National Anthem. A Canadian officer read the poem “In Flanders Field,” which was written by a Canadian during WWI. It was moving and brought tears to my eyes.

Later in the day, appropriately scheduled for Veteran’s Day, was the unveiling of our new Remembrance Wall at the Role 3 Hospital. It was a pictorial of the history of the hospital here, from the original tent/wood sided facility to the modern hospital that it is today. Many dignitaries and representatives of the seven coalition countries were present. To be a part of this was a very moving experience on this Veteran’s Day. It was a time for all of us to reflect upon those who have served and died around the world to make sure we have the countries and the freedoms we all enjoy today. It reminds me of the quote: “all gave some, and some gave all.” That truly sums up what our military is all about. I am proud and honored to be able to be here doing my part. God bless our veterans, both current and past, and God bless America.

UofA Homecoming, the 26 year streak goes on.....

Amazingly, thanks to my brother and sister-in-law, I was able to pull off a “Hermione” and actually be in two places at once. While getting ready to staff one trauma bay for a mass casualty event (in my UofA scrubs of course in honor of UofA Homecoming), I was able to simultaneously stand in line with my brother, Del Kyger, and Mike Myers outside the Buffet Bar at 0600 to have a beer. While I was in Afghanistan sleeping later that night, “I” (or as I was known in Tucson “Flat Brad”) was enjoying Homecoming in Tucson with my family and friends, and even got to enjoy a ride on the Sigma Chi float during the Homecoming parade! I heard many other stories of what “I” did and where “I” went, but I will have to see the pictures myself to believe it (contact Kelli or Mike Myers if you want to see the pictures). Thankfully, I guess my streak of making it to 27 UofA Homecomings in a row is alive and running!

Steph's Birthday pt. 2

I guess "I" was able to make it to Steph's birthday after all! Thanks to Ben and Kelli for making it possible to join Steph, my parents, my family and friends to celebrate!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH!

Happy birthday Steph! I wish I could be there with you on your birthday celebrating and enjoying UofA Homecoming this weekend. I know you will be surrounded by our UofA family and friends, however.

This is the closest I could get to "Top Gun" for you for your birthday. Unfortunately, the Army is not quite like the Navy aviators when it comes to "Top Gun" volleyball:)!

Have fun this weekend and "GO CATS!"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Once again, it is a dichotomy here to be having a halloween costume party in our ambulance bay/courtyard of the hospital, drinking (near) beer, eating food and candy, and having fun while ambulances role by with trauma patients.

It was, however, a fun party, complete with a costume contest, a haunted house, and "scary-oki." Some departments, such as mental health, came as a group (the Wizard of OZ). It was truly a great time and brought us a little closer to "home."

It continues to amaze me how great the medical staff is here. I took care of a little Afghan girl who was shot by the Taliban (accidentally or on purpose it was not clear) in the chest. The bullet entered above her collar bone and lodged behind her sternum (breastbone) near her heart. She lucked out that it did not hit any vital structures and the surgeons here were actually able to operate and remove the bullet. It was found sitting on her heart and millimeters away from significant blood vessels. I would put my life in their hands any day. They are truly amazing!