#sorry Kuwait airport but you are not my favorite

[inyri]

god why is this airport so BORING

[joshsgoldstarsister]

A token . . .

As I mentally unpack the journey that was my trip to Afghanistan, I struggle to find the words to share with you the experience. That being said I might as well start somewhere, even if it is in the mundane task of ‘unpacking’. 

Warning, this may be longish, but has pictures. So, there is that. 

Throughout my trip, I was given tokens of appreciation and respect. Most notably, I was ‘coined’, a word here that means, “given a specialized military token to commemorate the meeting of an individual or unit”. 

You can learn more about military coins here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin

I will do my best to share with you the many coins I received and if I can, who gave them to me. 

To begin, I want to share with you my brother’s coins. While he was posthumously promoted to Corporal. He achieved rank of Specialist during his life. Which is why his collection of ten coins is rather impressive. Nine of these coins are unit specific, six are specific tokens of excellence and one is a Regional Command North coin (I am guessing Josh was in the right place at the right time). 

Since his death, I have been given two coins. The first a National Guard coin given to me in honor of my brother (does that technically make it his??) which I wrote about here: http://joshsgoldstarsister.tumblr.com/post/127635379872/challenge-accepted

I also have a National Military Bereavement Study coin, because I participated in the National Military Bereavement Study. So, I actually EARNED this one. 

Now to unpack my coins from my trip to Afghanistan: 

I want to feature my Troops First Coin, first. This is the nonprofit which organizes the Operation Proper Exit mission.  You can learn more about them here: http://www.troopsfirstfoundation.org/ But beyond a picture of this wonderful coin, I would like to say this organization has gifted me with the most incredible experience of my life. In a few days I will write more on that, but just know, this coin represents a huge weight being lifted from my heart. 

Next up, is the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Leroy Petry coin. Leroy accompanied us on the journey because Rangers Lead the Way. That being said, I learned you shouldn’t always follow the Ranger because he may not know where he is going (following Leroy got me into a little bit of trouble, nothing terrible, just somewhat lost or late on occasion). You can learn all about Leroy here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leroy_Petry . His coin, which he helped design, has both a Blue Star and a Gold Star to represent those respective families. Leroy talked about family and recognizing how important the families at home are to those who serve. I will add that he taught me the coin hand shake, which was really nice, since he was the first to give me a coin and there would be so many handshakes to follow. 

Our journey began with a luncheon where we were introduced to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army General West. She was incredibly warm and personal as she wished us well. At the same luncheon I met Captain Thomas Feeks, Gold Star Father of Navy Seal Patrick Feeks. Captain Thomas was actually the first Gold Star Family member to participate with Operation Proper Exit. His coin, commemorating his son, is one of my favorites because of its motto, “Cry Havoc, Let Slip the Frogs of War”. 

Traveling to Afghanistan means going in through Kuwait. Our hosts there are part of Operation Spartan Shield. I received 3 coins during my time in Kuwait. It was so special to be in Kuwait because it is the hub for all our operations in the Middle East. Without their seamless organization we could not have had this trip. 

During our layover in Kuwait, we met with a British Officer, Major General Felix Gedney. Though our meeting was brief, his coin certainly made up for it in sheer size. 

Once we were in country our hosts at Bagram were incredibly caring and generous with their time. Seeing the medical facilities on site were inspiring, to know that the best care possible is offered to our deployed; to see them ever ready, the words fail me. We were coined by the 45th Expeditionary Medical Group. 

We were taken to Kandahar Airfield and given the grand tour. Walking into their hospital was like walking into any first class American hospital. There my fellow Gold Star Family members and I, were given a special token, a coin for ourselves, as well as a coin to put with our loved one’s collection. The gesture touched all of us deeply. 

I was gifted a coin by Chief Master Sergeant Roby Johnson who has a pretty cool job. His command includes making some big booms when called upon and while the his coin is great, he hooked me up with some sweet stickers for my roller derby helmet! 

Onward to FOB Feinty, where TAAC was the name of the game. Train, Advise, Assist Command (South) were not just welcoming, but enthusiastic to have us. 

In Kabul we were hosted by the U.S. Embassy, as well as NATO allies. There we shook many hands and a few coins came our way. Each one is unique and special but is there anything as neat as an FBI coin that serves as a bottle opener?? 

As we left Afghanistan, our farewell included what I will always consider an adoption ceremony. In addition to gifts of pictures, flags, patches, and coasters we were given coins of our Bagram hosts, the Third Infantry Division Dog Faced Soldiers. This coin, with a bite out of it from the mascot Rocky is incredibly special.

Finally, the most important coin was given to me, and only me. When I write about the care given to us along the way, the details put into our adventure, I don’t think anything demonstrates all of those things as much as this coin. Seven years after my brother’s death, by way of a series of chance meetings, I made my way to the country where he died. In the whole wide world, after all this time, I would never have expected to meet anyone who served with him.

 As it happened, awaiting me in Kuwait was one of my brother’s Officers. He was there to welcome me, patch me with the crossed swords of 10th Mountain and gift me with the coin my brother never received. As I said my goodbyes in the Kuwaiti airport, I was handed this coin. It is small, and plastic and it isn’t round, but it completes a collection that wasn’t mine to begin with. With a hug and that special handshake, I was given the coin of my brother’s battalion, commemorating their OEF 2010-2011 mission that he could not complete. Around it’s edges are the words, “LOYALTY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY, PERSONAL COURAGE”. 

It is a lite thing that grounds me. I can feel its weightiness in my heart when I hold it in my hand. When I began my journey, I felt like I was doing it for him, for my brother who didn’t leave the battle field with his shield, but on it. I went to learn about him and left knowing that I am always with him. 

*** Not all coins received were posted with pictures, because tumblr just couldn’t handle it. Sorry***