Oregon Soldiers Give Aid to Remote Afghanistan Village (VIDEO)

DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN
Because of this mission, people here now stand a much better chance of surviving the frigid Afghan winter.

KatehKhil was the chosen village to receive much needed supplies for winter. Photo by: Tim King

(KATEHKHIL, Afghanistan) - Oregon National Guard soldiers aided by members of other U.S. services banded together and traveled to a snow-covered mountain village to provide clothing, shoes, toys and other essentials to people that have very little. As Tim King reports, this is a place where items sent from the United States find their way directly into the hands of the people who need them more than words can describe.

This mission to deliver clothing, shoes and other essential goods to a remote village called KatehKhil in Afghanistan was a big boost for some very poor people.

The items were private donations from the United States, and delivered by the U.S. military. Because of this mission, people here now stand a much better chance of surviving the frigid Afghan winter.

1st Sgt Don Weber explained, "KatehKhil consists of four villages, this is the smallest of the four villages. This is the poorest of the four that are out here, and that is why we selected this village."

If you had to use one word to describe an Afghanistan humanitarian mission, that word just might be frustrating. Americans with the most basic sense of parenting might not approve of much here, but this frustration goes a long way in emphasizing the importance of educating people in this frequently cold and often isolated place.

These poverty stricken people of Asia also may have a few lessons they could teach western societies, their Islamic faith teaches them from an early age to maintain what could only be described as fundamental moral values.

But the poorest of poor people still try to maximize opportunities that benefit their families, and one man was caught by an Afghan soldier for taking repeated turns in line.

Emphasizing the magnitude of the danger in this war torn land, red and white rocks near the distribution site mark unexploded landmines. We were warned to stay on white side, others didn't seem to care.

They say God watches over drunks and fools, and here it is obvious that a higher power also watches over the innocent and uneducated, people that understand war and ammunition far more intimately than they perceive faraway cultures.

Watch the Streaming Video News Report below, direct from Kabul, Afghanistan by Tim King: Video

In Afghanistan, Tim King, reporting for Salem-news.com

If you are interested in sponsoring a special report, direct from the 41st Combat Brigade at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, email: bonnie@salem-news.com DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN "SUPPORT GROUP" Love Boxes sponsor of special report, and fantastic support group for all of our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Send a Love Box: http://www.loveboxesforourtroops.com Salem Police provided body armor, military rainproof clothing and other small materials from their SWAT team that will make a big difference for Tim's level of safety. Eola Hills Winery hosted a winetasting fundraiser on October 13th. Special thanks goes to Eric Rogers, Terri & Ann. Visit Eola Hills at http://eolahills.com McDonalds Restaurants of Salem provided $1,100 toward the trip to Afghanistan. We hardly know how to thank them enough, but we know this is one organization that sees the value of bringing the stories of our Oregon soldiers home. Nopps Jewelry and Art provided a kevlar military issue helmet with a value of $250. This is greatly appreciated! You can visit their site: www.nopps.com Eric Mason of Salem provided $100 toward Tim's trip to Afghanistan. Eric and Tim formerly worked together at Portland, Oregon's ABC station. Jesse Anderson of Lincoln City provided funds to help, as did Dan and Marti Motley of Salem. One of Salem's most courageous families, David and Arlene Banks, provided $100 toward Tim's trip. Another pair of Salem heroes, Scott Smith and Margaret Sanner, provided funds to assist with Tim's Afghanistan trip. Roger Yost and Alessandro's Ristorante have provided generous assistance for the Afghanistan coverage. Camo and Gear Military Surplus in Salem contributed a pair of new military issue boots that will be ideal for use in Afghanistan. Tom Golden of Golden’s Funeral Service, Proud of the past, prepared for the future. Other supporters wish not to be named, but we appreciate them greatly, and each and every contribution makes a big difference.

We will continue to keep you updated on the people and organizations that support Oregon troops and are making Dispatches from Afghanistan possible. A special THANK YOU to these Silent Auction contributors: Extreme Velocity Paintball, Beads-a-Million, SLAB, Oak Knoll Golf Course, Best Lil Roadhouse, Los Baez, EZ Orchards, Adams Ribs Smokehouse, Willamette Queen, Thailand Restaurant, Lela Kelly, Frank Matthews and Tina Miller Thanks! Salem-News.com is a locally owned news organization. Sponsorship of Tim's reports on Salem-News.com is very affordable with enormous exposure, and the reports will be archived complete with your commercial. If you would like to advertise, or join the others listed who have assisted through contributions, there is still plenty of need. Help the effort to bring home the stories of Oregon soldiers.
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Tim King is embedded in Kabul, Afghanistan with the 41st Combat Brigade of the Oregon National Guard. See his stories several times a week here, on Salem-News.com, and on Portland’s KPTV Fox12.

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Tim: Nothing like "telling it true" from "over there", too...which is what you do ! My pleasure to participate with the King's men...and ladies.

Kathy, my pleasure, thanks for saying that. It has been amazing to experience a war with such a humanitarian angle. Rod, it is safe and warm inside a "B" hut as I write this, you are a lifesaver as you know. Gino, it is awesome brother, can't wait to share more when I return. Albert, this is one big world and in my humble opinion, our rich nation couldn't ever do enough. Open your heart man and don't worry so much about money. It does us little good in life and burial cloaks have no pockets. Unless you have seen the disparity here, compared to the images of the good life they were experiencing before the Russian invasion and Taliban infestation, it is hard to understand. They have been doing well for most of the last thousand years, and very poorly over the past thirty. Thanks just the same for your input. Hank, thanks for your wonderful thoughts, you are ever gracious and your heart is huge, thanks for being part of our group! Tim- high in the frozen mountains of Afghanistan

I'm glad that a story such as this shows Americans what we have and they don't, giving more perspective to the conflict there. I'd like more stories from the "Front".

Nice story Tim! Take care of my battery charger :)

Tim, "oh the places you'll go" great work.

These people have been used to living this way for thousands of years. I am glad that they are getting more creature comforts with what Americans call essentials, I just wish it did not come at such a great expense to the American, taxpayer, military personel and all of the corrupt government contracts with private industry. This reminds me of a one day Halloween in a thousand year period. Nice coverage anyway Tim, at least there is a little good with all of the bad. But I still want all of the corruption and lies to stop from MSM which is controlled by multinationals and the paid off Congress people and their minions. Do you know how many people die on the streets of New York, New York as one city alone, yet Americans walk right over them? I was there just the other day and things are not much different than 30 years ago.

Tim: As always, your video speaks to both heart-and-mind, with impact otherwise impossible. We need to learn, listen and then think...before we do. Project pays off in powerful way, helping here-and-there simultaneously.

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