AFGHANISTAN (ISAF)

[andybrennan]

Hi Matt,

Man arn't you the cool dude, keep counting the days and get back here to put us lot in order.

Andy

[maryfarrell6]

Hiya Matt,
Great photo, hope the days fly by for you and before you know it you'll be back home with your lovely family where you belong and aren't they looking forward to it.
Keep safe
MaryF

[Brendan]

Hi to All:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Commander Matt McNamara from the CURRAGH who is part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) which is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council. I am convinced that the vast majority of the Irish population doesn’t realize what ISAF does, nor are they aware that Irish soldiers participate in 36 NATO and non-NATO countries.

As a person who follows international events, I want to take my hat off to Matt and his colleagues for making a difference to the Afgan people who, believe it or not, live no differently than their ancestors did going back to biblical times.

I’ve spoken with some of the service men and women who return here to the United States. They are simply awesome people, who come from all walks of life. In the back of my mind, I always think of Matt and his colleagues who are also in the thick of it. I want to give a big THANKS to our own young LEADER in Kabul. You are our HERO.

God Bless Matt and safe home!

Brendan

This is a sample of what Matt does and sees on a daily basis.

www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/afghanistan_january_2010.html

[andybrennan]

Brendan me auld flower.

Allow me also to join in your appreciation of Matt and his fellow comrades, and all U N missions.

Andy

[Matt McNamara]

Hi Brendan and Andy

I am a bit embarrassed and humbled by your words. But I am very proud as a member of the Irish Defence Forces to have taken my place with the Irish Contingent serving here in Afghanistan in what is a NATO led mission consisting of a coalition of 47 countries from around the globe and established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386. Ireland has been contributing troops from day one when only 18 countries stepped up to the mark. And as you said Brendan most Irish people don't know this.

This was of course in the wake of September 11th 2001, the day that changed the world as we knew it forever. I like the rest of you probably watched in horror at the pictures shown on the television and wondered who could do such an act and on such a scale never seen before. Then names like Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda,, Taliban, Afghanistan began to appear. It was proven that the Taliban leadership had allowed the establishment of international guerrilla and terrorist training camps inside Afghanistan. In order to prevent such an attack from happening again and to disrupt these training camps the United Nations Security Council authorised the establishment of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to assist the Afghan Interim Authority in the maintenance of security in Kabul and surrounding areas.

With the establishment and deployment of ISAF the Taliban almost disappeared over night and a relative peace came to Kabul and surrounding areas. However with time they soon re-emerged to fight the international forces and have done to the present day. The casualties on both sides have gradually risen over the months and years to last month’s (June) all time high of 102 ISAF soldiers killed in action Source: www.icasualties.org .

Why ? You might ask is the international community still involved and sacrificing its men and women in such a war. Just remember the London and Madrid bombings and all the other peace loving nations that have been struck by Al Qaeda and such groups.

Afghanistan itself is a beautiful country, and most mornings I see the sun rise on the Hindu Kush which over looks Kabul city. The people of Afghanistan are amazing at adapting to their surroundings and harsh environment and I suppose that’s what makes them so tough. But in general the majority just wants to get on with a peaceful life and show no hostility to ISAF forces and will always give you a smile in return.

I am sorry if I have gone on a bit, but if there was ever a just war this century, this is it. And when I am old and gray and the spring is gone out of my step, I will still be proud to say that I done my bit for world peace. And as a father of a sixteen year old daughter, take a look at the cover of this weeks TIME magazine 9th August 2010. It is a portrait of Aisha, 18, who was sentenced by a Taliban commander to have her nose and ears cut off for fleeing her abusive in-laws. Need I say any more !!!

TIME Magazine 9th August Caution: img.timeinc.net/time/magazine/archive/covers/2010/1101100809_400.jpg

6th Aug 2010: Aisha to have her nose rebuilt in the US: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10897018


All the best

Matt

[Brendan]

Matt:

I couldn’t agree with you more. I took the daily PATH train into the World Trade Center on 9/11. Little did I realize than thousands of innocent people would be dead within an hour or so. I could have been one of them. Among the dead were Irish, English, Asian, Africans, Muslims and Jews. These terrorists are a common and universal enemy.

Many of the forum participants live in the UK and other parts of the world. Sadly all of us are targets to those extremists who view the world in a cruel and distorted way.

Like most of us in the western world, Muslims are loving, caring and God-fearing human beings, who wish only to live in peace. Sadly, it is the few who seek the destruction of the western infidels because of some crazed ideology.

Again, I want to thank Matt and his fellow soldiers (men and women), who defend our freedom so that we can see Kildare beat Meath tomorrow.

God Bless and safe home.

Brendan

[annemcnamara]

Hi Matt,
Re Time Magazine, no words just shock and sadness
Anne.

[rose5mcdonaghtce]

hI mATT,

GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE KEEPING WELL AND SAFE.

STAY THAT WAY.

BEST WISHES .

ROSE.

[anncu7hane]

Hi all,
I am not surprised to see what they did to that beautiful girl, I got some book's from a muslim girl it shocked me to see what was expected of women in those countrie's. God bless Matt & to all those men working with you
Ann C

[johnnykelly]

Re:AFGHANASTAN (ISAF)
Hi all
Dont forget that the same lunatic element have threatned our little island as a target for them to strike at and it makes me wonder at times to see people protesting in Shannon Airport etc, when so much devastation is being inflicted on innocent and helpless peoples around the world, so well done to one and all of our brave soldiers and civillians whom volenteer to serve and bring peace and some sembelence of freedom and life to the oppressed under the most harshest conditions so well done lads and lassies all
keep well keep safe and a speedy return to you all, Johnny

[kathyo]

hi johnny and all
well done to all our brave solders who make
the world a better place to live in
thinking of you matt
keep safe won't be long now and you will be home
keep safe
kathyo

[maryfarrell6]

Hi Brendan,Matt and All,
Brendan you've so eloquently put into words the feelings of pride all of us have for Matt and all his comrades serving in Afghanistan and all the other war torn regions they're posted to. Our unsung heros.
What a powerful set of pictures thank you for sharing them with us and giving us an insight into the daily scenes all the troops are facing out there.
Matt your picture told the whole sad story without any words. Its impossible for us to understand the mentality that can justify the barbaric cruelty that is handed out in the name of religion.
You have a long time to go before you turn grey and lose the spring in your step but you have truly earned the right to feel proud. Because you most certainly have played a major part in working so tirelessly towards world peace. Its us who feel humble looking at your achievements.
We are full of pride for the bravery, sacrifice and enormous contribution all our brave Curragh Soldiers[my dad included Congo 62/63] have given in the service of the U.N. down through the years. Well done to all of you and that includes all you forum members retired or still serving.
I'm so very proud of my Curragh heritige and privileged to have been a part of that great institution and the daughter of a Curragh Soldier who is now an active veteran. The army is not just a career to us Curragh Folk its a way of life, it flows through our veins and is the very fabric our entire lives are woven on.
Take care and Keep safe one and all,
Bye for now MaryF

[Brendan]

Hi Matt:

Thought you might get a kick out of this reporting piece on Afghanistan.

www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6902810n

Cheers,

Brendan

[Matt McNamara]

Hi Brendan

That was a great clip and really shows the difficulties facing the troops there. Don’t know how it will end or finish up if ever, but it is a war that the civilised world cannot afford to loose. I know we don’t have combat troops out there on the ground, but a clip like that would never make the national television as our politicians live in a nice cosy world where they don’t have to make real decisions and take their rightful place among the free world. It seems that as long as we have the likes of the US to sacrifice their young to protect us, well that’s OK. I could go on but might get me in trouble !!!

Matt

[Brendan]

Hi Matt:

I agree with you entirely. The amazing thing about those troops is most of them are only PT reservists, including that 40 year old captain, who is probable back home working in civvie street and rearing his family.

Thanks,

Brendan