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| Watson remembers time
in Afghanistan |
Sarah Howell
Features Beat
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Jacque Lenz | The AppalachianR. Lewis Watson flips through
photos taken during his eight-month stint in Afghanistan. Watson
did not expect to get the call to serve after 9-11.
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An ominous threat
of war has been hanging over America ever since the 9-11 attacks,
generating much discussion among students at Appalachian State
University. Even with some public opposition to the war, one student
has gladly agreed to fulfill his patriotic duty.
Sophomore advertising major and member of Tau Kappa Epsilon R.
Lewis Watson is an E-4 Specialist in the National Guard. This
is his first semester in school this year due to his recent eight-month
deployment in Afghanistan.
Watson said he joined the National Guard because it would pay
for his school and allow him the opportunity to serve his country.
“I didn’t actually think I would be doing anything like
this. No one thinks they’re going to be sent to war until
it actually happens,” he said. |
On Christmas
Eve, 2001, Watson received the call that told him he would be
spending almost a year in the Middle East. Watson was overwhelmed
at first.
In January, Watson flew to Qandahar—his home for the next
four months. He would spend his last four months in Bagram.
“Even though I got the call on Christmas, it didn’t
actually sink in until I was sitting on the plane. I wasn’t
really scared; there’s no time to be scared. I thought it
was cool,” Watson said. “Everyone has been so upset
since 9-11; I actually got a chance to do something about it.”
There was a lot to do as Watson jumped off the plane and into
the blinding sun. Watson said he expected to see a mountain or
something, but there was nothing—only the hot, flat desert.
During the spring and summer in Afghanistan daytime temperatures
reach 130 degrees in the shade, and at night the wind chills are
below zero. Watson deployed during the winter.
“You wouldn’t think so, but they actually have really
cold winters over there,” he said.
Once the soldiers were on the ground, they set up camp. Watson
said the hardest thing to deal with is living conditions.
“You take for granted what you have in America. Even a clean
bathroom is a luxury. The worst thing is the dust. You cannot
stay clean because it’s always in the air. Every time someone
takes a step, every time a truck rolls by, it kicks the dust up.
I would wake up at night coughing, and I could actually see the
dust coming out of my mouth,” Watson said.
Watson worked the night shift in a holding facility. He had many
jobs, from tower guard to patrolling and supervising the detainees.
When Watson went to the nearby town, he was able to interact with
the people. Watson said the town is impoverished.
“Your heart really goes out to these people. We’re like
a celebrity there. Whenever you go into town kids just run up,
and they’re all over you. People in America have very definite
personal space. The people there do not. These kids get 2 inches
away from your face and stick their hands in your pockets. They
are usually hoping you will give them something, and we did when
we had something to give,” Watson said.
Soldiers rarely leave the camp. However, the government tried
to provide some form of extracurricular activity for their soldiers
when they could. On one occasion, a Canadian band performed for
them.
Famous comedian Robin Williams did a show for the soldiers about
one week before Watson’s arrival. Watson said he was upset
about having missed out, especially because Williams stayed after
his show and talked to every soldier who wanted a picture.
Watson was at the camp when the accidental bombing of Canadian
soldiers in April 2002.
The bombing was about a mile from Watson’s tent. Watson said
the sky lit up suddenly and the tent flaps flew back.
“It was probably one of the scariest things that happened
while I was there,” he said.
Watson and his fellow soldiers received three or four days of
R&R.
“We were sent to a rented beach where we got to go jet skiing
and just hang out. I drank my first beer in a long time. It was
great to be out and away from the desert,” he said.
The beach was located in Qatar, the richest country in the Middle
East.
“We saw a lot of the wealthy people. It was interesting to
see the difference between the highest and lowest class of Muslims.
Of course, we didn’t see many women. They tend to stay away.
They aren’t given as many rights as men,” Watson said.
Watson finally returned home in September 2002. He is now working
towards a degree in advertising. Watson seemed very pleased to
be a student again.
Watson said he plans to graduate in the next three years, but
must always include the possibility of another deployment.
As a member of the National Guard, he is a soldier before he is
a student, Watson said. |
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