My little brother got back safely from Afghanistan at the weekend. I've talked to him on the phone but he was too exhausted to really give me a lot of details, though I get the impression that this was a harder tour than his time in Iraq last year. Physically it seemed much more difficult: he was based in the desert in Helmand, was sleeping in a tent and although he's an intelligence officer, he was much closer to the front lines this time too....
Still Gareth is back and everyone in the McKinty family is relieved. Because this was his second combat mission in two years he wont have to go on a combat tour again for a long time. And I'm just glad I'm off the hook. My grandad fought in the trenches of World War 1 for an incredible four years, my dad was in the Royal Navy for twenty years and now Gareth has done his bit for our generation. Hopefully the next generation will not have to deal with any of this craziness.
...
Incidentally, Gareth sent me a video of his last dinner in the officer's mess that sensitive souls should not watch.
31 comments:
Very pleased to read this, Adrian.
And like a fool I clicked on the link... :)
Glad to hear the good news, Adrian!
Congrats on having your brother back. Glad to hear he's safe and out of harm's for a long time.
I dedicate to your brother this beautiful ballad from one of my favorite bands (it's a cover, the original was a hardcore punk song): Sailorman.
Very glad he's home. Bet you feel you can breathe again.
Great news about your brother. Tell him thank you.
Oh, and pretty funny video.
Good news, squire.
If he's in Intelligence, how come you didn't get the looks?
Cheers, Dec
Some bad troop losses in Afghanistan this past week and I was really hoping that that two weeks you mentioned awhile ago was drawing to a close. I'm relieved.
I can't watch the video due to continuing technical difficulties, but it's probably just as well, as I am awfully sensitive. Maybe I can catch it later after I toughen up a bit.
Michael
I'm pretty sure it was like that.
Bri
No worries mate
Liam
Well he may do himself a mischief attempting to replicate some kind of Afghani hot pot in the kitchen.
Marco
It is something of a puzzle to me how a naval intelligence officer has now ended up in wars in two deserts thousands of miles from the ocean.
Corey
Well now its my turn to do something risky to scare the bejesus out of the family, what I dont know yet.
Holden
Its funny because its true - kind of.
Dec,
I got both.
And all the footballing skills.
Seana
Yeah I just dont think you could handle the horrors of war at the moment.
I got both.
And all the footballing skills.
It's funny because it's NOT true.
Great that he's back home and I second the hope that the next generation won't have to deal with this kind of thing.
Like you, my grandfather was in WWI and may father was in the navy from 1938-45 and my brother kept up the famiy tradition, sort of, by joining the RCMP.
Terrific news, Adrian. It all pales in comparison.
Marco
I've got a great sliding tackle.
Matt
I'll admit the last few weeks have been tense.
John
Its amazing what people went through back then. I just wish I'd listened more when I was a kid.
Very relieved to hear that.
Great news. Congratulations and thank you to Gareth.
Tense for me too, but watching the Yankees try to hold on to a lead doesn't really compare with your sibling returning from a war zone.
Although with Joba pitching...
Mazel tov.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Miss Witch
We are too.
Dana
Thanks man.
Matt
I think the problem is that I grew up with all those 80's cop movies where it was always the hero cop's last day on the job...
Peter
Toda robat.
Great news and let's hope the rest of the guys and girls can come home soon as well.
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