It’s amazing how close you get when you spend every waking moment together through a 14 month deployment. Towards the end of my tour, I remember asking Joseph if he and his family wanted to move to America one day. I remember this moment so vividly. He looked me in the eyes and said with the most sincere and earnest tone, he does not. He expressed to me how much he loves his country, how beautiful it is, and how his work is only the beginning to build a better place for his kids and has grandkids to live - a true patriot with a deep love and purpose for his land and its people. By the end of our conversation, we both had tears in our eyes. I remember seeing the hope in his eyes, but behind it also a subtle uneasiness. Joseph was my interpreter and he, like many others, were one of us. He was physically and mentally ready everyday without fail, even when the day prior was tough or a bit scary. He not only put his life on the line but also his family’s. He fought along side us with courage, pride, and honor. I didn’t serve in Afghanistan, but I have many friends who did. Many Afghans risked their lives helping America in the war effort as interpreters. To put it simply, the US has been promising them passage to the US in exchange for their service, but many of them have fallen victim to a broke system for many years and now with the Taliban in control, they are stuck and don’t see themselves or their families making it out alive. We need to get them out! I’ve vetted some groups that are spearheading these initiatives and I hope you will consider donating to @nooneleftbehindus (I’ve linked their site in my bio). This is a picture of Joseph and me on our last patrol together. I remember his last words to me was that one day he would love to have me over his home to meet his family and have dinner. I would love that too.