Photographs: US Central Command/Flickr
The war in Afghanistan is entering its final chapter. Restless soldiers are keen to return home and reunite with their families.
The 12 years of war were dark and arduous. But there always is a silver lining. Amid trying times, the American marines found solace in the innocence in Afghanistan’s children. Bridging the barriers between the Afghan and the West, the soldiers developed a unique friendship with them.
The children had a lot to learn from their American heroes and in turn they taught even a lesson or two to them. After all, it’s never easy growing up in one of the most dangerous places in the world.
Rediff.com takes a look at how this relationship bloomed over the past decade or so. A story of friendship in the middle of war.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: US Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt Jeremy Ross/Flickr
Corporal Henry Garza, a turret gunner and a native of Halletsville, Texas, helps an Afghan child learn to drink a juice box during a patrol near Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, July 28.
"I grew up in the country," said Garza. "In the summertime where I'm from, the kids just try to occupy themselves outdoors like these kids do."
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: ISAF photo by US Air Force T Sgt Laura K Smith/Flickr
US Navy Mass Communications Specialist Petty Officer Monica Nelson, International Security Assistance Force, holds an Afghan child during a medical assistance mission at Camp Arena.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: Cpl Keith Wazny/Canadian Forces/Flickr
Corporal Vincent from the Canadian Regiment stops during a foot patrol in the village of Laikhan Kala to chat with a couple of local afghan children.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: ISAF media/Flickr
A US marine receives a rose from a local child during a recent patrol in the Hemland province. She seemed to pay no mind to the men carrying rifles and wearing full protective gear.
The marine later said it was an emotional moment because it brought back memories of his own daughter.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: ISAF media/Flickr
Sgt Marcel Ruales from Austin, Texas, assigned to the human intelligence collection team at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, teaches local children from the Afghan village of Warghez how to high-five.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: ISAF media/Flickr
Army Master Sgt Michael Williams, International Security Assistance Force morale welfare activities chief, gives school supplies to Afghan children at the Kabul Female Prison and Detention Centre.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: US Central Command/Flickr
A girl gazes at the marines during a patrol in Hemland. The father holding the child greeted every Marine that passed by his home and allowed one Marine to hold the young infant for a brief moment.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: US Central Command/Flickr
US Marine Lance Corporal Isaiah Schult, an Indianapolis native and improvised explosive device dog handler, jokes with Afghan children.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: US Central Command/Flickr
A US Army Staff Sgt Jamyz Touchstone plays with an Afghan child during a mission to a local village in Shinkai.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: Tech Sgt Efren Lopez/US Air Force/Flickr
US Air Force Staff Sgt Christine Jones shares her photographs with Afghan children in Shabila Kalan Village, Zabul province.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: US Air Force/Flickr
Afghan children salute the American soldiers and sailors of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar from the side of the Nowabad-Khas Kunar Road.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: Lance Cpl. Kowshon Ye/US Marine Corps/Flickr
US Marine Corps Corporal Robert Dominguez helps Afghan children push a wheelbarrow up a slope while conducting a security patrol in Sangin.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: Lance Cpl. Kowshon Ye/US Marine Corps/Flickr
A boy smiles as Afghan national army soldiers and marines take a break during a partnered patrol outside their base in the Hemland province.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: April York/US army/Flickr
Annette Sisk, a military policewoman, shows pictures to Afghan children that she took with her digital camera.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: US army/Flickr
US army specialist Jessica Walker from Killingworth, shares a hug with an Afghan child at a girl scout meeting in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz/US air force/Flickr
Afghan children share school supplies they received from International Security Assistance Force members at the Kabul female prison and detention centre in Kabul.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: ISAF/Flickr
Marine Roque Carmonaroman plays with Afghan children as they wait to receive basic medical care and clothing on Camp Clark, Khowst province.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: ISAF/Flickr
Children greet ISAF troops while moving to a school in Mahajerbad where they provided medical care.
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When Afghan kids met 'Captain America'
Photographs: Sgt Russell Gilchrest/US army/Flickr
A US army medic treats an Afghan child for a sunburn in the village of Meryanay Kherwar District, Logar Province.
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