Yesterday, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that one of the U.S. Navy's newest amphibious ships, LHA-10, will be named the USS Helmand Province.

To the Marines and Sailors who served in Helmand Province, this ship honors your service and sacrifice, and those who gave their lives in battle.

As a veteran of Helmand, I think this is very cool. Not as cool as winning the war, but still a great way to honor the thousands of Marines who sacrificed so much there.

For those still tracking what’s going on in Afghanistan, SIGAR put out a new report today.

More Than a Talking Point

Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, where we aim to raise awareness, fight stigmas, and prioritize the importance of Marines’ emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

While mental health should always be at the forefront…

“All these years later, it feels like we’ve gotten nowhere,” [O’Brien] said.
Then he laughed, long and deep. “But the alternative is to give up. That, I haven’t been willing to do yet.”

From CNN - New evidence challenges the Pentagon’s account of a horrific attack as the US withdrew from Afghanistan cnn.com/2024/04/24/wor…

Despite claims or offers of a general amnesty, Taliban attacked or disappeared 20 former #ANDSF & Afghan government officials last quarter, according to #ACLED
sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyr…

Regarding Hemingway, here’s an essay I wrote about my complicated relationship to his work a few years back for The Paris Review. I think having complicated, as opposed to fanboy or sneering teenager, reactions to a great writer is just being serious.
theparisreview.org/blog/2016/02/0…

Made it down my reading list to Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe. The murder-mystery/history of the Troubles opens at Boston College in the building where I pulled many an all-nighter writing during my undergrad days. Safe to say I’m hooked.

This video tells a heartbreaking story from the ground in Kabul, Afghanistan. In it, you see a father and former interpreter being taken away by the Taliban. Behind the camera, his family watches in fear for his life. After this video was recorded, he was never seen again.

Good news, but not good enough. We owe them so much more.

Former U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie (Ret.) opening statement on U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan: 'If there is culpability in this attack, it lies in policy decisions that created the environment of August 2021 in Kabul.'

Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley says we owe American families answers about Afghanistan.

In 2024, we're doing more. Today, No One Left Behind is proud to kickoff Operation Save 7,000. Our goal is ambitious yet crucial: to evacuate 7,000 allies from Afghanistan in 2024. The time to act is now. Will you join us?

LEARN MORE: nooneleft.org/operation-save…

Fascinating episode on the impact of explosives on service members and veterans from just everyday military training. Outstanding reporting by my friend ⁦David Philipps⁩ over at ⁦The New York Times⁩ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

From Kim Staffieri America’s Afghan allies are running out of time and Congress is running out of excuses thehill.com/opinion/452487…

“I think if there’s one thing that unites post-9/11 writers, whatever our style or genre or perspective, whether we’re a veteran or civilian, it’s a kind of desperate howl to get people to pay attention and care.”

Reminds me of another active-duty military member’s protest that Elliot Ackerman categorized as an act of figurative self-immolation.
time.com/6093906/us-mil…

Without more visas, America will leave our allies with a broken promise, fear for their lives and provide our veterans with the devastating burden of leaving their comrades behind. We ask you to consider joining us in serving as a voice for our allies by taking action today.