Day 168: NYFD

A few days ago we held a special flag raising ceremony for the Afghan National Army Fire Station here on our post. Their old flag was a tattered piece of cloth, so ripped and faded that no one even knew what was printed on it. In an effort to replace their old flag, one of my fellow Naval officers, LT Zeller e-mailed a request to the New York City Fire Department (NYFD) Commissioner for a flag that can be flown for the fire station here in Khowst.

Presenting of the NYFD Flag to the ANA Fire Department

The Chief of the Fire Department and his staff with their new flag

The flag now flies every day as symbol of bravery, and an iconic reminder of why the United States is fighting in Afghanistan. The Chief of the Fire Department commented (through an interpreter), "I am committed to peace in the Khowst Province of Afghanistan, and my team will never forget the sacrifices made by fellow firemen in New York on 9/11." What a testament to the mission that we have been called to complete here in Afghanistan.

"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation." Ephesians 2:14 NKJV