My brother-in-law Joe is in the Navy. Two months after getting married to Jen's sister Christie, he was deployed to Afghanistan for a year. The military is not known for having the best timing in personal matters. So, a year has passed and it is coming time for Joe to come home. In fact, he was supposed to leave Afghanistan on September 11th, not a particularly auspicious date. Indeed, there was a couple of attacks on US bases in Afghanistan, including Baghram Air Force base, so his departure was delayed an indeterminate amount of time until it was safer.
Following the delay, insurgents mounted a bold attack on the US Embassy in Kabul and the NATO bases near it. This definitely got our attention, as Joe's base was right next door to the embassy. We followed the reports of gunfire and rocket propelled grenades seeking out information on any casualties. Thankfully, there were no US or NATO casualties in the attack, though at least 7 Afghans were killed and many more were wounded. Shortly thereafter we got word that Joe had left Afghanistan and was headed to an intermediary base between there and the US for some debriefing. So either he left right in the midst of the attack or just before it.
We're so grateful he was able to get out of Afghanistan safely, though a bit curious as to what exactly happened and whether he was near Kabul when the attack on the 13th occurred. We definitely thank God for protecting him and we are praying for his safe return to the US and to his waiting bride.
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