Posted on 12/25/2008 8:07:00 AM PST by Clive
PANJWAII DISTRICT, Afghanistan -- Christmas on Afghanistan's front lines was as festive as a company of tired soldiers could make it.
There was turkey and trimmings, red Santa hats, as well as a Christmas tree decorated in candy canes and photos of pretty girls.
There was even beer, a special treat for a bunch of guys who hadn't tasted alcohol in nearly four months.
Despite the festivities, it was hard for the soldiers to forget why they're there.
Just days before, the members of Mike company -- who man this forward-operating base deep in Taliban territory -- were trading fire with insurgents across the grape fields and mud walls of a nearby village. A foot patrol turned up a cache of homemade explosives, the kind used to such deadly effect against the Canadians over the past two years.
Soldiers also seized hash and AK-47s, and released an Afghan government representative after he was found with his feet shackled by chains, trying to escape from a house where he'd been held since he was kidnapped days earlier.
All in all, it was a good operation, the soldiers said.
Christmas Eve brought a special visit from Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, the commander of coalition forces in Kandahar, who joined in the dinner celebration.
"Enjoy your Christmas because it doesn't get any better than this," Brig.-Gen. Thompson said, promising to push further into what he called a "critical" territory in the coming year.
At one of the tables, Bombardier Alexander Spanos, Bombardier Evan Shields and Gunner Ossama Aziz took a welcome break from their artillery duties. For all three men, it was their first Christmas in Afghanistan.
"I'd rather be opening presents," said Bombardier Spanos, 23, a Toronto resident.
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(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...
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It’s “Winter Holiday.” Any US elementary school kid knows this seasonal event.
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