Canadian medic brings compassionate approach during patrols in Afghanistan
Bill Graveland Canadian Press Wednesday, January 10, 2007
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A physicians assistant gives an examination to an Afghan soldier at Camp Shirzai, Afghanistan. (CP PHOTO/Bill Graveland)
LACOOKHAL, Afghanistan (CP) - A little kindness can go a long way.
Sgt. Kevin Dickson of Edmonton was on foot patrol in this tiny village as members of the Afghan National Army and Quebec's Vandoos searched for signs of the Taliban. The medic had his heart set on saying hello to two tiny Afghan girls, who were visible on the other side of the mud wall where a group of women and children, wearing brightly coloured burkas, were huddled in a circle away from the prying eyes of the soldiers.
But as with most children the lure of the unusual was too much. They peeked shyly through the hole in the mud wall.
He called out a greeting in Pashto, prompting squeals of delight and caused them to run back to their mothers. The game lasted about five minutes until finally the children came out and watched the tall medic as he stood patiently waiting, leaning against the mud wall.
"I just said 'Salam o lakum' which is 'God be with you' and 'sing ayes' which is 'how are you?' I know about seven words and it usually gets a laugh everywhere I go," chuckled Dickson, the only anglophone serving with the Vandoos here.
"They're kids. It's fun," he added.
Life in the mud compounds is a struggle. Various livestock often live amongst the residents. In this case there were goats, chickens and even rabbits. An adjacent compound was home to a cow and according to the soldiers "a very large and very vicious dog."
Having men come to your home carrying guns, wearing helmets and body armour on a regular basis is something most people, especially children, could do without.
"Mostly I think every day we go out is a little bit of hearts and minds-I know it sounds like a real party line," Dickson said, rolling his eyes. "But it's true. We're walking around with guns, all geared up and we look like we're ready to destroy their village but nothing could be further from the truth."
"We're here to fight the Taliban and part of that is smiling at them and making them glad to see us a little bit because they don't have a clue what we're doing here," he said.
In a world where the Taliban rule with terror, the reassurance of a smile and kindness from strangers can go along way. It's something Dickson does when he's not taking care of soldiers in his company. The Afghan people are "unique" he noted and "incredibly tough."
"They've survived incredible things. Even this where we're sitting in now took them a long time to make," he said pointing to the mud structures. "They're admirable and I like them."
But he is also realistic. Trust of strangers is not something that comes easily in this country, torn by war for the past 30 years. And the presence of armed men in an area where Canadian troops are still hunting for the Taliban is not a ringing endorsement.
"They know that even though we mean well, by us being here, the fight is now on their doorstep and that can't be a good feeling for them."
Dickson has earned the respect of his fellow soldiers who aren't surprised he has a soft spot.
"He is one of the best medics I've ever seen," said Master Cpl. Luigi Ouellet of Quebec City. "He's a great guy."
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Bill Graveland Canadian Press Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Article Link
A physicians assistant gives an examination to an Afghan soldier at Camp Shirzai, Afghanistan. (CP PHOTO/Bill Graveland)
LACOOKHAL, Afghanistan (CP) - A little kindness can go a long way.
Sgt. Kevin Dickson of Edmonton was on foot patrol in this tiny village as members of the Afghan National Army and Quebec's Vandoos searched for signs of the Taliban. The medic had his heart set on saying hello to two tiny Afghan girls, who were visible on the other side of the mud wall where a group of women and children, wearing brightly coloured burkas, were huddled in a circle away from the prying eyes of the soldiers.
But as with most children the lure of the unusual was too much. They peeked shyly through the hole in the mud wall.
He called out a greeting in Pashto, prompting squeals of delight and caused them to run back to their mothers. The game lasted about five minutes until finally the children came out and watched the tall medic as he stood patiently waiting, leaning against the mud wall.
"I just said 'Salam o lakum' which is 'God be with you' and 'sing ayes' which is 'how are you?' I know about seven words and it usually gets a laugh everywhere I go," chuckled Dickson, the only anglophone serving with the Vandoos here.
"They're kids. It's fun," he added.
Life in the mud compounds is a struggle. Various livestock often live amongst the residents. In this case there were goats, chickens and even rabbits. An adjacent compound was home to a cow and according to the soldiers "a very large and very vicious dog."
Having men come to your home carrying guns, wearing helmets and body armour on a regular basis is something most people, especially children, could do without.
"Mostly I think every day we go out is a little bit of hearts and minds-I know it sounds like a real party line," Dickson said, rolling his eyes. "But it's true. We're walking around with guns, all geared up and we look like we're ready to destroy their village but nothing could be further from the truth."
"We're here to fight the Taliban and part of that is smiling at them and making them glad to see us a little bit because they don't have a clue what we're doing here," he said.
In a world where the Taliban rule with terror, the reassurance of a smile and kindness from strangers can go along way. It's something Dickson does when he's not taking care of soldiers in his company. The Afghan people are "unique" he noted and "incredibly tough."
"They've survived incredible things. Even this where we're sitting in now took them a long time to make," he said pointing to the mud structures. "They're admirable and I like them."
But he is also realistic. Trust of strangers is not something that comes easily in this country, torn by war for the past 30 years. And the presence of armed men in an area where Canadian troops are still hunting for the Taliban is not a ringing endorsement.
"They know that even though we mean well, by us being here, the fight is now on their doorstep and that can't be a good feeling for them."
Dickson has earned the respect of his fellow soldiers who aren't surprised he has a soft spot.
"He is one of the best medics I've ever seen," said Master Cpl. Luigi Ouellet of Quebec City. "He's a great guy."
More on link
