Offutt Airman shares Afghanistan experience Published Aug. 28, 2008 By Master Sgt. Amy Sekyi AFGHANISTAN -- I stepped off the plane in Afghanistan May 2008 with a heavy heart and mixed emotions, for it was members of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban from this country that took the life of one of my family members on Sept. 11, 2001. The attacks that day were acts of war against the United States which neither I, my family or any other American will ever forget. Now I was where al-Qaeda planned and trained for those attacks. Being a member of the U.S. Air Force, I know it is my duty to protect and defend our nation when called upon to do so. However, my first deployment was a tough one to swallow. I felt I had to do this for my Aunt Cheryle, who lost her life that day and to help stop the Taliban rule over this country. Upon arriving at Camp Eggers in Afghanistan, I quickly learned the role of the Combined Security Transition Command -Afghanistan. By training, equipping, advising and mentoring the Afghanistan National Security Forces, CSTC-A works to develop a stable Afghanistan by strengthening the law to deter and defeat terrorism within the country's borders. That mission is accomplished by working beside the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police and allowing them to take the lead in areas of national security for their country. It has been over 30 years since Afghanistan has enjoyed security and stability. Today, coalition partners from 37 nations are working to change that. The mission of CSTC-A is invaluable and goes beyond the coaching and mentoring of the Afghan National Security Forces. I have found the Afghan people to be noble and possess a strong desire and willingness to defend their country. Our job here is to enable them to do that. I had the privilege to help with the Volunteer Community Relations program. This program assists in the mission to "win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people." The VCR program was developed approximately two years ago as an all-volunteer program operating under the guidance and direction of the CSTC-A Command Chaplain. The purpose is twofold: to enhance the command's partnership programs with the people of Afghanistan and to provide a venue for U.S. and coalition troops to assist others and raise morale. A primary benefit of the VCR program is to provide outreach opportunities for volunteers to interact with local nationals at various locations. Never could I imagine the opportunity this deployment would bring me. It is amazing to have an impact in a country that made such a difference in the lives of my family and so many others on that fateful September day in 2001. Even if it's the smallest change, by being a part of these rewarding VCR missions, I am helping transform the world. These missions include going to refugee camps of the Hazarah and Kuchie tribes, children's hospitals, orphanages and schools, distributing humanitarian aid supplies such as rice, beans, flour, oil, blankets and hygiene kits along with donations that come from men and women all over the United States and the world. On average, we sort through 50-75 boxes of clothing, schools supplies, toys and hats, scarves and mittens a week. The winter months in Afghanistan are snowy and cold like my home state of Minnesota, so there is a need for warm clothing and shoes for men, women, children, toddlers and infants for all seasons, along with blankets. Imagine bringing a smile to a child's face as you give them clothes, a piece of candy or school supplies. Just partaking in some good old fashioned fun like blowing bubbles , playing soccer or having your picture taken is priceless. While at Camp Eggers I've taken a Dari class to learn some of the native language of Afghanistan. It has been a remarkable tool to know some common phrases when interacting with Afghans on these missions. The men, women and children especially like it when I ask them "Naamet chees?" meaning "What is your name?" Those moments of seeing a smile on a child's face are what I will remembermost about this deployment and the people of Afghanistan. I once heard someone say, "If you want to find lasting fulfillment, meaning and purpose in your own life, what matters most and what is very important is what you do for others and not what you do for yourself." I found this statement to hold true in many facets of my own life. On the home front I am the mother of a child with a disability and an advocate for disability awareness. Now, more than ever, while serving here in Afghanistan and being a part of VCR missions that quote rings true. As I enter into the last half of my deployment in Afghanistan and continue to take part in the VCR missions, I realize it is what we do for others that is most important. I find peace of mind knowing that just doing something, no matter how small, can and will make a difference in the lives of the citizens of Afghanistan. I feel my Aunt Cheryle would be proud, because it's in her memory that I look into the eyes of the men, women and children here and want to make a change for Afghanis and for Americans.