Back Home!

The picture says it all....

Great to be home.

Last trip to KAF

I have to apologize up front for this particular post as it is a little self centered (given that I am in every photo). That being said, I have mixed feelings about this post as it captures moments from our last trip down to KAF.

The pictures directly above are of Wendall, Joe and I. These are the two guys that I worked the closest with as we spent all day, every day together. Two absolutely "top shelf" guys who I would work with again in a heartbeat.

The one picture is of Tom Wolfe and I. Tom was my Troop Commander 33ish years ago when I was in the British Columbia Dragoons. That was my short, sharp military career in the militia....my assessments always read "has trouble with authority". Tom is a great guy and it was really nice to meet up with him after all this time.

Our medal parade was the final one for CivPol in KAF. The members receiving medals are all part of the same group heading home in a couple of days. The folks who just came in to replace them, are all posted in Kabul and there will be no more postings in KAF or Kandahar. Really, the end of an era.

I keep getting asked by the various people I work with if I am excited to be leaving...I answer the question by saying, I not excited to be leaving, but I am extremely excited to be going home. This has been one incredible experience and oppourtunity for me, however it is time to go home....everyone and everything I love and cherish is not here, but back home. That's where I belong.

The Critchleys in Kandahar

That's right everyone...the Critchleys in Kandahar! Can you imagine...what are the odds that two generations of Critchleys are in Kandahar at the same time!

Today I travelled with our Ambassador to Kandahar for meetings and of course made a special effort to find Bonnie and have a coffee at Tims. This trip was actually my last trip to Kandahar before I leave Afghanistan in the coming days. I must tell you how extremely proud I was to introduce my niece to Ambassador Crosby and Deputy Head of Mission, Jess Dutton. I explained how Bonnie had arrived a couple weeks ago and we really represent a number of Critchleys who have served our Country. It's really quite something when you think of it. Of course my brother Steve (Bonnie's dad) had an outstanding career in the Military travelling across the globe to various conflicts, both my Dad and Mom served in the Armed Forces, Debra in the Reserves, my Father-in Law in the Airforce, and of course it continues on from there...Grandfathers, Uncles, etc. Without question, our family can stand tall and proud when we speak of Canada and all it means to us...

I gave Bonnie a big hug, told her we loved her and to stay safe.