Hello again,

As many of you know, Ramadan has just ended. It is a month long Muslim reflection time. They are supposed to fast during the day to understand the wanting that the poor suffer. Anyway, at the end of Ramadan, they celebrate EID, and it is a big three day holiday. Here in Afghanistan they pronounce it Ramazan, and my interpreter asked me if I could not pronounce the zeta, because it sounded funny when we said Ramadan. In any case, we did several patrols during Ramazan. Most of them are called "presence" patrols, because we just want to be out and visible in the towns. We spent a lot of time talking to locals and handing out gifts. Here are some pics

Here we are meeting with the town elder of Anjagal. Afghans are very fond of sitting around and discussing things. I have had to do this everywhere. Because it is Ramazan, we have no tea during the day. During EID, we went to Shinagar and were treated to a huge Afghan feast. I am sorry I have no pictures of it.

Here is the town of Anjagal, way up in the mountains. The road was so bad, we had to all get out and lift the truck (Ford Ranger) and carry it for a little bit---really.

This is me climbing the side of a mountain on one of our presence patrols to Barikowt. We visited the local boys school there and encouraged them to go to college.

Here we are distributing goods to the locals at a town called Java, although they don't grow coffee there.

A cute little girl cutting school to go get free stuff from Americans.

An ANA soldier hamming it up with the villagers. We have the ANA distribute the goods so that they can develop good relationships with the locals.

Up here in Naray, these missions are fun and the locals seem to like us. I have not been in a single fight here. In Asadabad we were mortared, shot at, rocketed and IED almost everyday. Once, we were attacked once while distributing medical supplies. What a difference it is to be up here--funny, because this is the center of Jihad against the Russians.

Here are Keith and I lowering our flag at Firebase Naray.

I will miss it here, I really liked the area and working with the Special Forces. Now, I will have to go back to working with Marines. Oh well, three more months now. I will be sure to send many of you great Afghan Christmas presents.

We will be moving back down south again in the next couple of days for the winter. Thus, my address will change back to the original.

Take Care and have a great Thanksgiving. I will send some pics from our new Firebase in Sarkani---just 7 K from the Pakistan border.

SONNY