Nuristan PRT celebrates Afghan Independence Day

25 Aug 07
By Spc. Henry Selzer
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALAGUSH, Afghanistan - Just like the people of the U.S., the people of Afghanistan are very proud of their independence, which means Aug. 19 is a date marked by celebration.

When the people of Nuristan province were invited to celebrate the U.S. independence on the Fourth of July with Soldiers here, the idea of holding an Afghan Independence Day celebration for the citizens of Nuristan was brought up. "It seems that the bigger more eventful celebrations are in the larger cities," said Navy Cmdr. Samuel Paparo, 43, of Philadelphia, commander of the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team. "Holding a celebration out here for the people who can’t make it to the big celebration is our way of celebrating with them and to help connect them to their government."

Afghans living in Nuristan were invited to the celebration where they were given a chance to interact with the Soldiers of the FOB and enjoy a variety of the local food, which was prepared by Army cooks. Not only did holding the Afghan Independence Day celebration give Soldiers a chance to interact with the people of Nuristan, it showed Afghans that Soldiers care about them and are here to support them.

"To[o] often when we see each other it is about business, but today is all about you and your independence," said Army Lt. Col. Steve Maranian, 40, of Natick, Mass., and commander of 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, during the Afghan Independence Day celebration.

The celebration highlighted a common history the people of Afghanistan share with the United States. "We use the 4th of July to celebrate our independence from the British, and we wanted to take today to get together and help you celebrate your independence from the British," said Paparo.

Today the U.K. along with the U.S., Afghan National Security Forces and many other multinational partners all work together toward the common goal of making sure the Afghan people can freely celebrate many more Independence days. "We are very glad that you accepted our invitation to celebrate your independence and share a meal together and hopefully we can do it again soon," said Maranian.

Photo - An interpreter with the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team helps a town elder with his food during the Afghan Independence Day celebration on forward operating base Kalagush Aug. 19. Photo by Spc. Henry Selzer.

Source: Asymmetric Military.

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