창 밖의 나무들이 빠르게 잎들을 떨쳐낸다. 카불에서 온 딸의 이메일이, 그 언어 하나 하나가 무겁게 마른 잎들 위에 떨어진다.
아무리 생각해도 그 언어들이 담고 있는 의미를 전달할 적절한 한국어를 찾지 못해서 딸의 양해를 얻고 그대로 이곳에 싣는다.
Dear Family and Friends,
I want to tell you about how the roses in front of the Embassy have bloomed every day since my arrival.
I want to tell you about experiencing my first earthquake, the strange reality of a ripple in the normally solid earth.
I want to tell you about my new Afghan-American friend and the difference that has made in my experience of Afghanistan.
But for today, I need to tell you about Special Agents Michael Weston, Chad Michael, and Forrest Leamon--the three DEA agents that the Embassy lost on Monday. There are less than 30 people in the DEA office, so it is a particularly harsh loss for them. We've had a tough couple days with the three DEA agents, seven U.S. Special Forces troops killed on Monday and then the five U.N. personnel, two Afghan police killed yesterday.
The Embassy held a memorial ceremony for the three DEA agents today: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kabulpublicdiplomacy
As Taps played, the Marines raised the American flag and then lowered it to half-mast. The Ambassador spoke, an Afghan general from the Counter-Narcotics unit spoke, a DEA agent spoke, and a junior diplomat sang Amazing Grace.
Learned some personal details:
- Michael Weston graduated from Stanford and then Harvard Law ('97), served previously in the Marine Corps Reserve.
- Chad Michael was just 30 years old, served previously in Miami, leaves behind a fiance Paola.
- Forrest Leamon was from Ukiah, CA, served previously in the Navy, and leaves behind a wife and unborn child.
Yesterday I happened to sit next to DEA agents in the dining facility. One of them, Jay, had not slept in two days, had dealt with calling family members of the dead, and was worrying about giving a speech at the memorial service. I'm including it below, because he did a beautiful job.
It must be a terribly difficult time to make the strategic decisions that will sacrifice dozens, hundreds more Americans for our collective security.
~ Nina
Remarks by Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Regional Director Jay Fitzpatrick
At U.S. Embassy Flag Ceremony Honoring Fallen Drug Enforcement Administration Agents
October 29, 2009
Kabul, Afghanistan
Today, we remember three DEA Special Agents and seven U.S. Military Service members who tragically lost their lives during operations in Western Afghanistan.
During the early morning hours of Monday, October 26, 2009, Special Agents Michael E. Weston, Forrest N. Leamon, Chad L. Michael, other DEA Special Agents, U.S. Special Forces, and our Afghan counterparts, were executing Afghan search warrants at a bazaar in Afghanistan’s rugged Badghis Province. This bazaar was a safe haven for insurgents and contained significant quantities of narcotics, improvised explosive devices, and weapons used against Coalition Forces.
At approximately 0330 hours, and after an extremely successful counter narcotics/counter insurgency operation, which included an hour-long firefight with insurgents, U.S. Military personnel, DEA agents, and our Afghan counterparts were departing the target area on a U.S. Military CH-47 helicopter when it crashed killing Special Agent Weston, Special Agent Leamon, Special Agent Michael and seven Special Forces personnel. Twenty-six personnel were injured, including DEA FAST Team Leader Pat McDarby, who was badly hurt on impact. Risking further injury, he and other able U.S. Military personnel immediately began removing the injured from the burning wreckage.
Each and every one of them performed heroically in the face of extreme danger, as they removed casualties from the crash site in order to start administering life saving measures. Also, after the crash, the other CH-47 participating in the operation returned to the crash site. U.S. Military personnel and DEA Special Agents aboard that helicopter performed flawlessly in what was a dangerous and volatile situation.
I have been asked to share with you the following sentiments on behalf of Michele M. Leonhart, Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration:
Today, we mourn the tragic loss of three DEA Special Agents:
Chad L. Michael was 30 years old from Quantico, VA.
Michael E. Weston was 37 years old from Washington, D.C.
Forrest N. Leamon was 37 years old from Woodbridge, VA.
These were not ordinary men. In a world where “ordinary” has become acceptable, these courageous human beings made “extraordinary” contributions.
They pledged an oath, they wore a badge, and they “stood the line.”
They were proud warriors performing a vital mission. They were more than just Special Agents, they were also special Americans. Like you, they volunteered to serve their country. Like you, they believed in the mission. Like you, they made the saving of lives their life’s work.
We are all saddened by this tragic event. DEA is an extremely tight family, and the death of these three brave agents is a devastating loss for us. We honor their service, bravery, and sacrifice. We all stand taller and fight harder for having known them. Their loss inspires us to even greater determination.
No expressions of grief can adequately convey the depth of the collective sorrow that we feel for their family and friends. The heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathies of everyone at DEA go out to them.
We owe our fallen heroes a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, and we will forever cherish their memory and carry their spirit in our hearts.
In closing, DEA would like to thank everyone, both civilian and military, who came to our aid by providing invaluable assistance and support during our time of need. DEA will forever be grateful.
Thank you.
