LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — U.S. leaders of Train, Advise, Assist Command-East join the leadership of the 201st Afghan National Army Corps in celebration of the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Fitr, in Laghman Province June 17, 2018. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is characterized by dawn-to-sunset fasting, with a feast. (Photo by Capt. Brian Weskamp)
By Capt. Doug Bright
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In a show of camaraderie, leaders of Train, Advise, Assist Command-East (TAAC-E) joined Lt. Gen. Mohammed Z. Waziri, commander, 201st Afghan National Army (ANA) Corps, at his home in celebration of the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Fitr, June 17, 2018.
TAAC-E aims to enable credible and increasingly sustainable Afghan National Defense and Security Forces capable of preventing terrorist safe havens in eastern Afghanistan as one of several commands falling under Resolute Support, a NATO-led, noncombat mission.
Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is characterized by dawn-to-sunset fasting, with a feast.
For the feast, Waziri and his staff provided TAAC-E leadership with traditional Afghan cuisine, such as kofta, meatballs of beef and lamb, as well as rice and flatbread. Together, they broke bread in a show of good will.
“Lt. Gen. Waziri and his staff were so hospitable throughout the night, and the food was incredible,” said Maj. Josh Suthoff, chief of staff, TAAC-E. “I was flattered to join as a guest in their Eid celebration.”
After the feast, attendees retired to Waziri’s office for tea and conversation.
Discussed was the unconditional ceasefire agreed upon by the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and Taliban leaders, which lasted through Eid al-Fitr.
The ceasefire serves as a poignant and brief moment of peace in Afghanistan’s tumultuous history with the Taliban.
Waziri said he was brought to tears while viewing footage of ANA soldiers and Taliban combatants embracing during peaceful demonstrations held in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A sense of calm and amity pervaded the evening’s celebration, which contrasted with the usual fast-paced, day-to-day joint operations of U.S. and ANA Forces.
“The Eid festivities were an excellent opportunity for us to take part in Afghan culture,” said Col. Monté Rone, deputy commander, TAAC-E, and commander of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “With the train, advise, assist mission, building interpersonal relationships (are) paramount, and this gathering truly encapsulated the relationships–both professional and personal–we’re building here with our Afghan partners.”
After several hours of dining and conversation, the Eid celebration drew to a close. Waziri presented each of his departing guests a gift of three hand-picked watermelons and wished them all a good evening. U.S. Soldiers warmly gave thanks and wished their Afghan partners a heartfelt “Eid Mubarak,” or “blessed celebration.”