Free Republic

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Spring is here. The snow is melting, the trees are blooming and days are getting longer. And here in Afghanistan, spring marks the beginning of the Afghan New Year, Nowruz. Nowruz, a Persian word meaning "a new day," is an ancient Persian tradition. It marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year on a solar calendar, and is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, which is typically lands on March 21. In honor of Nowruz, International Security Assistance Forces hosted Afgan National Security Forces and Afghan government officials at...