Afghan attack gives U.S. troops reason to be thankful at Thanksgiving

The insurgent took what he must have thought was a lucky shot. His rocket-propelled grenade smashed into a bladder full of 63,000 gallons of diesel fuel, sending a fireball 1,000 feet skyward, destroying 10 “mine-resistant ambush-protected” vehicles and raining metal over the base.

Troops on this base in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province labored in a 6-inch-deep river of slowly igniting fuel to prevent broader damage. Miraculously, no one was seriously hurt.

“There was a higher being watching out for us that day,” said Army 1st Lt. Anthony Goble.

The fact that there were no casualties in the Nov. 15 incident was an extra reason for the troops to be thankful this Thanksgiving, despite being in a war zone thousands of miles away from friends, family and football.

Members of the U.S. Navy-led provincial reconstruction team based here have as their primary mission strengthening the fragile local government, rather than combat. But parts of Kunar are among the most dangerous in Afghanistan. The surrounding mountains and nearby border with Pakistan provide refuge for a mix of insurgent groups.

The troops here took a few hours in between duties Thursday to celebrate the holiday with heaping plates of food. They occasionally permitted themselves to voice wistful thoughts.

“Home is home for a reason — it’s special,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ed Stallworth, the unit’s executive officer, as he carved a gigantic piece of beef for a line of junior officers, enlisted personnel and civilians.

Also on the menu were the traditional turkey and stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, as well as macaroni and cheese, and four kinds of pie.

After most of his soldiers had eaten, Navy Cmdr. William Goss, the base commander, welcomed a delegation of about a dozen local Afghan dignitaries for an afternoon Thanksgiving dinner. Speaking through an interpreter, he explained the origins of the American holiday to the visitors and likened it to the recent Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.

“We’re very excited you’re able to join us today,” Goss said.

The Afghans appeared simultaneously grateful and a bit mystified about the American celebration.