I am not sure on how to start this email off, so I will just try to write about several things.

My name is Daniel D. Dassow, son of Russ Dassow and Linda Dassow, both of Medford. I have two sisters, Kris (Mrs. Dave Brandner), and Lori (Mrs. Brian Griebeler). I was born in Medford on October 10, 1980. I was raised there and graduated from M.A.S.H. in 1999. I joined the U.S. Army Reserve that same year and left for boot camp a week after graduating. I then attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire during the fall of '99 and spring of '00. The following summer I was trained in the Army to be a surgical technician, in which training lasted through October, resulting in a semester taken off. I attended UWEC the following spring, and continued there until last December. I then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to pursue a BSN (Bachelor of Science in nursing) degree. Two weeks after I started spring semester, I was alerted and then mobilized in February in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I am a member of the 452nd Combat Support Hospital headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was activated February 24, 2003, and reported to Menasha, then on to Fort McCoy. We were stationed at Fort McCoy for 95 days. During that three month period we were bounced around, first informed of heading to Turkey, supporting the 4th Infantry Division, and later Kuwait, but both missions were scrapped due to lack of support from the Turks to pass through their country. We were in the barracks that were a block down from Medford's National Guard unit, in which we struggled through the same poor living conditions as they did. Finally, after three months of training and waiting for the word in Fort McCoy, a mere third of our unit was selected to go to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

We run a field hospital in Bagram, Afghanistan, which is Northwest of Kabul, the capital. Our unit is a mobile medical unit designed to function in the field of operations during war time. Our mission in Afghanistan is to support combat forces rooting out the Taliban and Al Qaeda, as well as provide medical care for coalition forces. We are the trauma center for Afghanistan as well. Most of our patients are local Afghanis, but we also treat American and coalition troops. A large number of our patients are treated for gunshot wounds, burns, and land mine injuries, which typically result in amputations. American and coalition troops in need of definitive care are air evacuated out of theatre to Germany. Seriously injured local nationals are flown by Blackhawk or driven by Humvee ambulance to our hospital here in Bagram, from all over the country. Some patients have come from as far away as the westernmost province of Herat and as far south as Kandahar to receive treatment for injuries that pertain to life, limb, or eyesight. Since our first day in theater, we have provided 24 hour service--7 days per week with both in-house and on-call coverage. Our shifts mainly consist of 12 hour days/nights.

Being trained as a surgical technician in the Army, I perform a lot of the same tasks that I do back in the civilian world. I gather the supplies for the cases, open up and maintain a sterile field, scrub, gown and glove myself, count all necessary items, glove and gown the doctor, and assist throughout the surgery. Cases come in sometimes with little to no advanced warning. When cases come in, they are often emergency traumas, which provide excellent experience for me for when I return home. Another benefit of working in surgery in the Army is that working as a surgical technician, I am able to exceed limits on what I am allowed to do, in contrast to the limits from laws and technicalities back in the civilian sector. The majority of our procedures are performed on the local national population. Some are the results of devastating injuries; others are to enhance quality of life. Many soldiers and surgeons from the coalition forces take advantage of the opportunity to come and participate or observe in surgeries and learn new techniques from our surgeons and staff. In addition to the taxing surgical schedule, the O.R. (Operating Room) personnel are also tasked for humanitarian missions to places such as Jalalabad, Salerno, Kandahar, and many other areas of Afghanistan. We are said to be the busiest combat medical deployment since the Vietnam conflict.

If you can imagine what things were like in the old television series, M.A.S.H., what we see here is very similar, although we are not in Korea. We operate mainly in tents, and in large boxes connected to the tents. The operating rooms in which we perform surgeries are those boxes attached to the tents and the rest of the hospital. Despite working in far from perfect conditions, the O.R. section makes full use of what supplies we have, and lets things operate smoothly. All of this has been accomplished through self-motivation, teamwork, shared experiences, and an unending willingness on the part of everyone to perform their best. In addition to providing medical care for Afghanistan, we also show ways to improve the care given by other coalition forces.

The following events are some highlights of my deployment to Afghanistan. I was promoted from the rank of Specialist E-4 to the rank of Sergeant E-5 early in this deployment. In July I was able to go through an intense training and testing course for the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB). The two week EFMB challenge was held in Uzbekistan, the first time that it has been held overseas, and the first time ever in a combat zone. This was probably the most challenging two-week event that I have ever done. The challenge involved getting up at 4 a.m., and usually training until after dark. The temperatures reached over 100 degrees by 10 a.m. Land navigation involved finding three out of four points in the mountains during the day, and two out of three points in the pitch black, with no help from the moon. Our days of training involved a rucksack march to our training site. They also involved EMT (emergency medical treatment) for simulated battlefield casualties. A litter obstacle course involved a four man team carrying a patient on a litter through the mud, under barbed wire, over barbed wire, up and down a hill, over two walls, and through a water-filled trench while wearing protective gas masks in 110+ degree weather.

Other days we were tested on communications, and loading and unloading patients on helicopters, 5-tons, and ambulances. We were also tested on our NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) skills and performance measures. If at any time a soldier received a no-go in a critical area, he was eliminated from the challenge. The challenge also involved a written test. I successfully made it through all of the previously listed challenges, and moved on to do a twelve-mile ruck march. The ruck was filled with our gear, and the run/march needed to be completed in three hours or less. That was probably the most physically demanding challenge that I have ever completed. I am happy to say that I was successful, and one of only ten that passed that challenge.

September 11th was a special day to be here for obvious reasons; two years ago this day, terrorist actions happened that we will probably never forget. I was amazed that I was in the country where the Taliban and Al Qaeda were, and still are, but thanks to the people serving, are no longer as powerful. Just down the road are people who were involved. I can not say more because of operational security, so I will leave it at that. I am proud to say that I am here, serving my country, and doing a just cause. I felt special knowing that I was in Afghanistan, this past September 11th. I registered for the Anti-Terrorist Run around Bagram. For being one of the first 800 to register, I got a nice looking t-shirt commemorating the event. I will be sure to wear it proudly when I return back home. I was lucky that I got there when I did, for as soon as I was through the line, it had reached quite a length. The run was between six and seven miles in distance. I also completed the Army 10-mile run. Both occasions were possible by having Blackhawks, Apaches, SAM (Surface to Air Missile) vehicles, and manned guard towers protecting the perimeter.

I was thinking about where I was two years ago on September 11th. I am sure that you can think back and remember exactly where you were when the planes crashed. I know I do. I was scrubbed in a case at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire at the time and heard about the actions first on the radio, and later when someone came in and informed us in more detail what was seen on TV. It is kind of ironic that two years later, I was scrubbed in a case in an U.S. Army hospital in Afghanistan.

We are constantly reminded about being in a combat zone as explosions from rocket blasts and land mines are constant. In addition, it is mandatory for us to carry our weapons with us everywhere, with a full magazine. We also have Kevlar helmets and flack vests for our protection. We have received small arms fire on occasion, but most of our threat comes from rocket attacks. We see relatively few children, but the few that we do see are usually injured from burns or mine blasts. We also see very few women here. In order to treat the women, their husbands must allow it, and if there is only a male doctor around, the husband has to tell the doctor his wife's ailments.

This country has been war-torn for decades. The Russians have left behind many reminders of war. This is the most heavily mined area in the world, resulting in more frequent care for land mine victims than gun shot wounds. Iraq steals more of the headlines, being that it is a more recent battle, but there is still plenty of action going on here. We had several explosions go off not far from here. I don't know exactly how close they were, but they were close enough to shake the ground and tents. Some explosions are from the de-mining teams, yet others are not. We frequently drill to enhance our reactions to an attack. Sometimes I am not sure if they are drills. Drills or not, we are prepared. It is great to have the Special Forces, A10 jets, Black-hawks, Apaches, and various coalition forces here. I am appreciative of all the support that I have received from back home. I am proud to be here. I was even more proud being here in Afghanistan for this 9/11.

The weather here is quite a change from Wisconsin weather. When I first got here in early June, the day time highs were tolerable. During the months of July and August, temperatures soared. Temperatures reached 132 degrees Fahrenheit. Aside from the blazing heat, we have also battled other climate challenges. Bagram is at an elevation of 5500 feet. We are surrounded by the Hindu Kush Mountains, the foothills of the Himalayas, and even at this elevation, these mountains are still giants around us. It is amazing to see snow on their tops, even though 100+ degree weather persists. Everyone seems to be breathing a sigh of relief now, since we have come to the end of the 120 days of wind. We have had winds that have reached 75 to 120 mph. The dust can be blinding, and can also cause quite a nuisance. Dust could be found in our tents, in our hospital, in our food, and pretty much everywhere. Despite all the dust and wind, not all of Afghanistan is ugly. The night skies here can be gorgeous. Being that we are in a combat zone, light discipline is crucial, thus at night it is so dark that the stars shine brighter than I have ever seen. I have even seen the Milky Way clear in the sky. Along with the stars, the mountains can be gorgeous to look at.

This country is in need of a lot of help, from all the years of destruction and war. Some of the local nationals are not even aware that we are here to help, believing we are here merely to occupy their homeland, like the Russians. I am serving here in Afghanistan to contribute to the United States in a time of need, and I am proud to say that I am serving in a just cause. Most of the events here you will not hear about in the news, due to the wide publicity of Iraqi Freedom. There are several occasions, such as the Afghanistan Independence Days, and other holidays, that can be cause for conflict or uprising. Sadly enough the Taliban and Al Qaeda still exist. We are at the heart of where the terrorist actions of September 11th started. We were told that rewards have been put out for their people if terrorist actions can hit places controlled by the U.S. military, via rocket or other means.

We are here to assist coalition forces in the fight against terrorism. Life still remains a challenge in Afghanistan as active combat continues daily with casualties. Most missions will never be heard about, due to the fact that they are carried out by Special Forces. There are more coalition special forces here in Afghanistan than in any other country in the world. There is still a threat from the remnants of the Taliban, al Qaeda, and a new group called the HIG. Their plan is to create casualties until we get tired or completely pull out of Afghanistan. I have read of the HIG having put out a reward of 100,000 dollars for any American captured alive, 50,000 for any killed, and 5,000 for every rocket that hits our base.

This country is not exactly stable, but our U.S. and coalition forces are improving things daily. This remains mostly a tribal society led by warlords who seize power by having the most powerful arms, and killing their enemy. The U.S. is here to continue to de-mine, open schools, train teachers, doctors, and nurses. We are here to build roads, and create a source for clean water. We are here to provide food distribution and immunizations. I believe that this war is not about religion; it is more about power. Groups like the Taliban and Al Qaeda dislike us because we are prepared to stop their drug trade, and source of income and power. By calling it a "holy war," they can use this argument to grab power for a few at the expense of an entire country. The U.S. military and coalition forces have done a great job here. Our soldiers work hard at making a difference for the local population. Those who died on 9/11, and since then, deserve all of our effort to improving the way of life here and abroad, and also to continue the fight against terrorism.

Living conditions are the typical Army standards. We sleep on cots in tents, with several people in one tent. We are fortunate to have showers, but are on water restrictions due to Afghanistan's lack of fresh water supply. Water restrictions limit us to a field shower, involving getting wet, turning the water off, lathering up, and turning the water on to rinse off. Field showers are a considerable luxury in comparison to using wet wipes for cleansing. We are fortunate enough to get porta-johns, instead of burn pits. They do get quite ripe during the hot part of the day, but they get the job done.

Morale around here still remains high, despite not knowing when we will be coming home. Rumors have spread from leaving in September of this year, all the way until June of next year and beyond. I am still crossing my fingers, hoping to be home with my family for Christmas but only time can tell. I am grateful that we do have internet connections, even though it may involve waiting for quite a length of time for a computer to open up. We are down to having one phone here, which also can lead to frustration. Often times, I will find myself waiting a half-hour or more to get on the phone, then redialing over ten minutes to get a line out, only to end up with an answering machine message. Times that are convenient to call are not always convenient for back home, because there is a 9.5 hour difference between local Afghani time and Central time back in the States. Mail takes about 2 weeks or so to reach back home. We receive mail when the plane comes in, which can be at any random day. Letters of support from back home keep me going strong here.

My objective of this email is not to get sympathy, but rather to get out a better understanding of the war that has been forgotten by all but a few. Most of my fears are not what happens to me, but rather what happens to family and friends back home. I just would like for the people back home to know a little more about what is going on here, and in this country. It seems as though the thoughts of Afghanistan have been fading in our memories since the fall of the World Trade Towers on September 11, 2001. I just would like to remind people back home that we are still very involved in the war against terrorism.

(Originally written in late October, 2003)