Some of you may remember the post about
Sean Tremblay giving kids in Afghanistan
toys, books, clothes, etc, And many came
through and sent him items to distribute.
Here's a recent communication from him:

"Hey Bob, thanks again for everything. Stuff
is coming into our AO pretty regularly and
Time permitting I'll have a chance to thank everybody"

And here is an amazing one I received last
week. I thought it would be well appreciated here. Enjoy!

"Subject: Peace through Kushti

Bob
Two days ago we held a Shura with all the
village elders of our province at the governments
district center. Asian rugs were spread out
across the ground to seat 400 Pashtun tribesmen
from mostly the dominant Polpuzi tribe. The
governor spoke followed by several Mulla's.
I walked around the carpet looking for an opening
with the villagers, but all I saw was angry men
in black turbans and black eyeliner with hard
mean faces these are pashtun warriors un afraid
of death and bound by a strict mixture of Pashtunwali
and Islam and many of these men were or are Talib!
Complaints were made(most of them false rumor) of
the coalition forces insulting the women and
killing the men. Outragous accusations were flung,
My commander asked me "How do we get through to
these people" I found a shop keeper I recognized
and stuck up a conversation, soon I was challenged
to arm wrestle, I won the first match, I was
challenged again, and again I won. Then an old man
challenged me to a real wrestling match and by
this time we had drawn a huge crowd, all 400
circled around me. I took off my pistol and looked
at the old man, "have it your way pops" I said.
He laughed and said no, not me HIM! a young man
6" taller approched me, and we entered a circle
formed on the carpet. A sash was tied around my
waist, and we began Kushti
The sport is a leverage based wrestling where the
throws are done without letting go of the belt of
your opponent, the first to strike the ground
loses. And I can tell you by technique, a 140 pound
boy can feel like a ton to move! We fought two
matches and the crowd went wild, Soon after I
encouraged two other Americans to join in and
after the fighting and the back slapping and
laughter had died down we all sat to eat, I was
then invited to sit with the old man and his
students, he then offered to teach me, on the
condition that I dress Afghan and learn to recite
the Muslim creed and the 5 pillars of Islam! No
problem, he asked If I had wrestled before and
I had told him yes American folk and greco roman.
But I said it was nothing like Kushti! He asked
why I wanted to learn Kushti, I replied that if
I left my family and came all the way to
Afghanistan and I didn't learn something I
have wasted my time!
He liked my answer
I was looking for a way in and I found it
oh and by the way the kid beat me both times!!!
but I had a victory!
Peace through Kushti
--------------------

BTW, here's the info we originaly posted
from Sean about where you can send things to help
the kids over there:

"I'm in Zabul Province Afghanistan, And since we
are on the topic of compassion I'm collecting things
for Afghan kids, coloring books
crayons, small stuffed animals, warm clothing
ect and small candies,
they like chocolate. They can be sent to:
SSG Tremblay, Sean
RSIC South
Team Viper
APO, AE 09355______________