Secretary of State visits servicemembers in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Tabios
  • ISAF Joint Command Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited servicemembers Nov. 19 at the newly established International Security Assistance Force Joint Command here.

Secretary Clinton was in the region attending the inauguration ceremony of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and took time to address and greet international forces.

"I am delighted to have this chance to come by and thank you in person for what you are doing," said Secretary Clinton. "I am very grateful to the leadership that both Gen. (Stanley) McChrystal and (Lt. Gen. David) Rodriguez are giving to NATO, ISAF and our American team, but I know the work that is done every single day is done by all of you in every aspect of this mission.

"I know we've got some of our allied partners here, and I want to thank all of them for representing their countries and being a part of this extraordinary international effort," Secretary Clinton said.

During her visit Secretary Clinton reiterated the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

"First we are here for a purpose and this is a mission that is important to the United States and to those who have joined us in it," said Secretary Clinton. "It is a mission that partners with the people and government of Afghanistan against a common enemy that poses a threat not only to people here but people back at home or wherever you come from.

"We have to do everything we can to create the capacity of the Afghan government and the Afghan people to protect themselves," she said.

Secretary Clinton also talked about the vision President Karzai had for his country in the next three to five years in which he hopes Afghanistan can stand on its own, for many an important aspect of her visit.

"To take the lead and take the fight the enemy is what he said he wanted to see happen and the only way that can happen is by the work that you do -- the training, mentoring and support that you give to your Afghan counterparts," said Secretary Clinton. We are going to be giving you the kind of encouragement that you need to be able to deliver the goal that President Karzai set for Afghanistan."

"The most important part of her speech was explaining Afghanistan taking control of their government and moving forward," said Air Force Lt. Col. Bob Dreyfus of Las Vegas. "The time frame that they set out, I thought was very significant beyond her recognition of our service. It was a brief and concise message and I was very impressed."

For those present, her visit brings comfort that what they do on a daily basis is all the worthwhile.

"It's amazing to see her over here, so far away," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lucia Munoz of Calexico, Calif. "They have not forgotten about us and it is very important for me to know that they care that we are here."

Secretary Clinton not only thanked servicemembers, but their families who serve alongside them as well, a message servicemembers regardless of nationality agreed with.

"I know that serving here is challenging there are a lot of sacrifices, particularly not being able to see your family and friends for long periods of time," said Secretary Clinton. "I really appreciate your willingness to serve but I also know for everybody who serves there is a family that serves as well. I hope that when you e-mail, call or write you let them know that I am grateful for their service."

"I like what she said about what we are all doing here in Afghanistan," said French air force Capt. Yann Frenkel, "but the most important thing was the family link. When you are far away, six, seven or eight months,  you don't know, but it is important to keep contact by phone or Internet. She spoke not only as a politician, but as a mother."

Secretary Clinton ended her visit by giving all troops a holiday message.

"I want to especially wish you a happy Thanksgiving, there are a lot of things I'm grateful for and that the American people are grateful for and at the top of my list is all of you," Secretary Clinton said. "Thank you again and God bless you and God bless the USA."