From http://latvianreunion.yolasite.com/ :
“On October 3rd, 2009, a grueling battle occurred at Cop Keating Afghanistan, between the Taliban and a small platoon from Fort Carson, Colorado. The battle lasted over 12 hours. When it was over, 8 U.S. soldiers were killed, 23 injured, and 5 out of the 6 buildings on the base were burned down to the ground. Most soldiers lost all their possessions and comforts from home. Of course, life for these soldiers will never be the same. A battle like that changes a person. It also strengthens the bonds between men that fought for their lives and the lives of their brothers. I am sure it is something a civilian like me will never understand.
The 3-61 CAV had been stationed at Cop Keating since May 2009. Life has not been easy for them since the day they arrived. The terrain is rough. They take enemy fire on an average of 2-3 times per week. For many months, the soldiers were only getting one meal a day, and they depended on family members’ care packages to sustain them. They were very isolated and had no other way to replenish items such as toiletries and other basic needs. They are a very tight-knit platoon with only 40 soldiers stationed at that base. They shared everything shipped from home.
Since their arrival at Cop Keating, the 3-61 CAV was housed with two soldiers from Latvia, 1st Sgt Janis Lakis and Corporal Martin Dabolins. The Latvian soldiers’ job was to train the Afghani National Army, but they also help the American soldiers whenever possible. During the 12 hour battle, they embedded themselves within the platoon, and from that day forward became one with the American troops. Again, it’s a bond that we that have not experienced, and we will never understand.
The 3-61 CAV platoon is looking forward to the end of their deployment in June. They have continued to serve and have not gone off duty along with their Latvian comrades. The Army throws an “end of deployment” ball when troops come home. It signifies the time for these young men to let guards down, reflect on the past year, attempt closure and begin to look to the future. The platoon would love to have their Latvian brothers and their families by their sides at the gala.
Besides learning a little more about the lifestyle of the 3-61 CAV, you may be wondering the purpose of this letter. Believe me, I would rather not be the writer of this letter, but my son is a part of this platoon. And, I assume some of you are parents. That is why I know you can imagine how helpless I feel. Mothers are supposed to take care of their kids; this is a given. So when my son, Eric, requested my help, I immediately began to brainstorm ways that I can help him. He would like to step to the plate and help the men who gave his platoon aid when they were in their most dire need. He knows that on their income, his Latvian brothers, Janis (along with his wife and daughter) and Martin (and possible companion) would never be able to afford airline tickets to the U.S. If these men could get to Colorado, the platoon has committed to taking care of them during their stay.”
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There are other links in English and more info & pix on the http://latvianreunion.yolasite.com/ site.
For Latvian language readers, there’s a brief summary at
http://www.diena.lv/lat/politics/hot/amerikanu-mate-pasakas-latviesu-karaviriem-afganistana
