Today was my last Graduation ceremony at the Regional Police Headquarters in Herat.  Seems like I’m doing a lot of “lasts” these days.

The ceremony started about like most of them have.  It ended like no other.  I’ve graduated around 30 classes in the past 2 1/2 years.  Each course had about 20 students.  Pretty good.  That’s not counting individual one to three day classes and seminars and our Work Shops on Camp Zafar.  We’ve held our classes mostly in Herat.  Either at Zafar, the MRI/RHQ or at the Park Hotel when it was the RHQ.   We’ve also held classes at Shoust, Shindand, Ghalla Attar and Chaghcharan.  We tried to edge into other locations, but, were unsuccessful.  Eventually most of the students from the areas to which we could not visit made it to one of our classes in Herat and Shoust.

The Graduation started with prayer.  In the beginning, this practice made me feel awkward.  Today, though, without consciously realizing it, I found myself participating.  Surprised myself.  At the end of the prayer, the Afghans simulate cleansing themselves by holding their hands in front of themselves palm facing inwards and “washing” their hands over the faces.  They don’t actually touch their faces but raise their hands up to their foreheads and then sweep their hands down their faces from forehead to chin.

After the prayer, MG AK rose to give his speech.  He tore into the Regional Logistics folks.  Really let them have it.  I chuckled at first.  As he ran on for 30 minutes, I began to wonder if he’d ever come to a conclusion.  He’d come to low rumble and then return to a blood curdling crescendo and do it again.  30 minutes passed and finally COL Zahir called Shoaib up to the front.  That was the hint that people were about to pass out from his screeching.  We could take it no longer.  It’s funny, but, the General tends to keep it going long past the point wherein folks start to drown him out.

Finally, he reached his conclusion.

COL Zahir called me up to start the Graduation Ceremony.  I hadn’t intended to make any sort of speech.  I’ve said my speech.  Going so far as to do my own screeching a time or two.  Since AK had touched on the Logistics Cadres shortcomings, I reiterated the simple correction for said shortcomings stating that “they’re one indispensable guide is the Log Policy which had been issued by the MoI.”  Therein are instructions and guidance for any task that an ANP Loggie is expected to carry out.  Easy policy guidance and step by step instruction to the MoI Logistics Program.  I didn’t add “GET OFF YOUR DEAD @** AND READ IT!”  As I’d stated that two days previously for the millionth time during our course.

I finished my little talk and it was time to get down to business.  I’d planned this last course as a kind of friendship tour.  I was able to get around and visit with old friends.  Greg gave most of the course and I was free to socialize.  The Graduation was the final step in cementing a life long friendship in Herat.  I had purchased the carpet that I posted last week as a parting gift for MG Akrummudeen.  Part of was a show of appreciation for support that he’s given me since I’ve been here.  He’s always treated me like a long time friend.  Since day one actually.  I convened the graduation and then stated that before we recognized the graduates that I had a gift for the General and for COL Zahir.

I called the General to the front and presented him with the carpet.  He seemed to be genuinely touched and blushed at the gesture.  A few folks remarked that they’d never seen anyone get a reaction out of him.  Apparently, I had set a new mark in Afghan~US relations.  It’s part of the job, I reckon.  It was a nice feeling to see genuine gratitude in his eyes and smile.  I was told that it was a fairly touching scene.

MG AK took over at that.  He really talked us up.  He told them that I was one of the top Mentors in the region and that I had worked tirelessly to mentor and train the Logistics Cadre.  I wish I had been able to have been properly utilized for the whole of my time in that manner.  As it was, I probably was only able to do about 30% of that which I should have accomplished with the proper logistics/transportation support from MPRI and the Military.  It’s not the local Military’s fault, though.  Herat Region has always been underfunded, under-supplied, under-equipped and undermanned.  It’s how it is and with the Italians taking over, it will only get worse for whoever replaces me.  MG AK then presented me with a Certificate signed by the Deputy Minister of Interior.  That was pretty cool.  After MG AK handed me the cert and we shook hands, the loudest applause that I can remember broke out.  It shocked me.  lol  It was probably the size of the room.  We were in a small conference room.   MG AK then presented Greg and Milton with their certificates.

Afterwards, MG AK handed the event back to me.  I called COL Zahir up to the podium.  Faced the crowd and told them that I had one more presentation before we could move onto the the graduates.

I stated:

Since I started working with COL Zahir, he and I have developed a great friendship as well as a professional relationship.  As I am a fan of the Big Blue, I always try to spread the faith.  With that in mind, I want to take this time to present this #54 Patrick Patterson Kentucky Jersey to COL Zahir as a small token of thanks for both his friendship and for his support during his tenure.  GO BIG BLUE!

I, then, presented the Jersey to COL Zahir.  We shook hands and, hell, we might have hugged.  I can’t remember.

Then that same loud applause broke out.

We handed out the certs to the students and the ceremony was brought to a conclusion.

After the ceremony, I explained to COL Zahir the whole Big Blue hysteria and talked a bit about
Patrick Patterson.  Compared him to Pele and David Beckham in soccer.  I told him that this time next year, Patterson would be playing in the NBA with the likes of Kobe and Lebron.  We chatted for a bit longer and then it was time to get ready to roll back to Camp Stone with the Army.

Later on, Milton and I were talking and came to the conclusion that it was the most emotional and sincere ceremonies in which we had participated in Afghanistan.

It was damn fine day.  Another day of being blessed with a simple happiness and contentedness.  Days like this make me feel privileged to be alive and to be part of all of this.

And to top it off, I was able to bring the BIG BLUE into it.  Ya gotta love that.  Spreading the Gospel.

GO BIG BLUE!!!

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