Another kind of Afghan mission: Organizing a roping contest

[unhappycamper]

Another kind of Afghan mission: Organizing a roping contest
By Chris Vaughn | Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010

BURLESON, Texas — In a place where life can end abruptly or change forever in an instant, Arnold Norman is offering a belt buckle to the best soldier.

~snip~

The contest is scheduled for Oct. 1 in the town of Baraki Barak, a couple of weeks after Norman returns from his leave. The best roper will get to take custom-made belt buckles home from deployment. Norman hears that the Stars & Stripes newspaper and Armed Forces Network might cover it.

~snip~

More soldiers from other bases would like to participate, but neither Norman nor their commanders are willing to get someone hurt or killed to rope a metal and wood steer. Conditions on the ground have deteriorated significantly just outside his post in recent weeks.

"I've told people, 'If you can't figure out a way to come on a helicopter, don't come,'" Norman said. "I don't travel in (ground) vehicles anymore. That's what has really changed since I've been here. When I came last fall, very seldom was anyone getting blown up. Now it's common."

He says this matter-of-factly, as if U.S. Department of Agriculture employees say it all the time.



unhappycamper comment: Baraki Barak is kinda near Kabul. It sounds like the upcoming Kabul offensive is already in doubt.

The only thing 30,000 new American soldiers in Afghanistan bring to the table is more targets. Read your history:

[Swamp Rat]

1. k&r

[w8liftinglady]

2. Yes.Burleson is about 30 miles from where I live.

honestly,I was surprised to see this volunteered by someone who is actually IN Afghanistan.We have a large Keyboard Brigade who would have been much more likely to send this kind of "support"

[Fumesucker]

3. I'm disappointed, not a word about goats.. n/t