Sunday, December 12, 2004
UPDATES FROM AFGHANISTAN
With all of the news constantly coming out of Iraq, we sometimes forget about the rebuilding going on in Afghanistan.
I have two acquaintances in Afghanistan right now. One is David Grizzle, who is taking a year's leave as the Sr. Vice President of Corporate Development for Continental Airlines. The other is Major Rick Noriega, better known to me as State Representative Rick Noriega - or simply Rick, husband of my friend Melissa.
Grizzle is serving as the Transportation and Infrastructure Coordinator in Afghanistan, a position he has been appointed to courtesy of the U.S. State Department. What better man to take on the job of building new roads and transporting thousands of Afghans to Mecca for Hajj than the man who helped bring Continental Airlines into the global alliance known as SkyTeam?
For Grizzle, this yearlong mission is as much a calling of faith as it is one of duty and service to his country. His postings are detailed and descriptive, and are remarkably insightful. I sincerely hope that he writes a book when his mission is completed and he returns home. In the meantime, you may read more about him and his postings here.
Noriega, an active member of the Texas National Guard, is serving our country by training Afghans to serve in and run their own Afghan Army. Noriega will make Texas history in January, when - thanks to a state law that was passed last Session - he will be sworn in for the 79th Session of the Texas Legislature as the State Representative for District 145 via satellite phone from Afghanistan. He will then appoint his wife Melissa to serve as the State Rep during his absence.
You can watch the historical Swearing In of Rep. Noriega and all of the Texas House of Representatives live via the internet here on January 11th - make sure you have RealPlayer installed. You can also check out Rep. Noriega's updates online at his website here.
Godspeed to both of these men, and to all of our personnel in Afghanistan. We want you all home safe and sound - and soon.
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I have two acquaintances in Afghanistan right now. One is David Grizzle, who is taking a year's leave as the Sr. Vice President of Corporate Development for Continental Airlines. The other is Major Rick Noriega, better known to me as State Representative Rick Noriega - or simply Rick, husband of my friend Melissa.
Grizzle is serving as the Transportation and Infrastructure Coordinator in Afghanistan, a position he has been appointed to courtesy of the U.S. State Department. What better man to take on the job of building new roads and transporting thousands of Afghans to Mecca for Hajj than the man who helped bring Continental Airlines into the global alliance known as SkyTeam?
For Grizzle, this yearlong mission is as much a calling of faith as it is one of duty and service to his country. His postings are detailed and descriptive, and are remarkably insightful. I sincerely hope that he writes a book when his mission is completed and he returns home. In the meantime, you may read more about him and his postings here.
Noriega, an active member of the Texas National Guard, is serving our country by training Afghans to serve in and run their own Afghan Army. Noriega will make Texas history in January, when - thanks to a state law that was passed last Session - he will be sworn in for the 79th Session of the Texas Legislature as the State Representative for District 145 via satellite phone from Afghanistan. He will then appoint his wife Melissa to serve as the State Rep during his absence.
You can watch the historical Swearing In of Rep. Noriega and all of the Texas House of Representatives live via the internet here on January 11th - make sure you have RealPlayer installed. You can also check out Rep. Noriega's updates online at his website here.
Godspeed to both of these men, and to all of our personnel in Afghanistan. We want you all home safe and sound - and soon.
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