DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN
"They understand their future lies with America, in giving them an opportunity to give them a stable society."
(KABUL, Afghanistan) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski is no stranger to the military, and troops in Afghanistan were not surprised to see him on base at Camp Phoenix where the Oregon National Guard is based with the 41st Combat Brigade. As Tim King shows us in this next report, Oregon's top dog got a good feel for the local culture and the progress of the military mission known as Enduring Freedom.
Guard soldier, Afghanistan
Oregon's Commander in Chief visited Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan this week to inspect the operation and congratulate Oregon troops who are deployed here with the 41st Combat Brigade. He says the road ahead is not a short one, but expressed confidence in the abilities of Oregon's soldiers.
Governor Ted Kulongoski said, "This is achievable, it's just going to take more time. But I have to tell you something; The Oregon National Guard, they've got to be some of the best soldiers in the world."
The Governor visited Camp Phoenix on a day when locals are allowed to sell their goods. He also visited a number of forward outposts, allowing good insight into the operations here, and the local culture which he describes as supportive, and that's great in a nation where fighters sometimes value their weapons more highly than their women.
"They see their future in our ability to provide them with the resources and the opportunity to build this infrastructure of a government,” the Governor explained, “the economy, the roads, sewer, water, those are the things they need and I think that is why they are so supportive of the Americans being here."
As a long time officer of Oregon's courts, Kulongoski cautions that Afghanistan will never have a democracy as we know it, but he believes that success in self-governance is possible in this Islamic Nation's future.
"They understand their future lies with America, in giving them an opportunity to give them a stable society."
The Governor says supporting troops is a multi faceted thought in this complex world.
"I want Oregonians to understand that this conflict here in Afghanistan is about more than the soldiers fighting it or their families or their wives or children or their moms and dads, it's about all of us and all of us have to have a sense that this is a shared sacrifice, that this is something that will benefit us all, so I actually think that if I have one thing to say; this Christmastime, when you're around your family and you're around the fire, think about these kids over here making America a better place and a safer place for all of us."
Governor Kulongoski had dinner with the president of Afghanistan while visiting, and he says that left him with a feeling that the work here is indeed progressing.
Watch the Video News Report below, direct from Kabul, Afghanistan by Tim King:
Video
__________________________________
Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.
Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.
Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 82 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com
End Israel's Unwarranted Murder of Kids
Oregon Governor on the Ground in Afghanistan (VIDEO)Salem-News.com