GainesvilleMoms.com

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080608/ap_on_go_pr_wh/laura_bush_afghanistan

Laura Bush recently visited Afghanistan where my brother-in-law recently returned from and noted a huge difference despite complaints the war has done nothing for the country. I have 2 brothers in the military and I have my doubts and complaints about the war myself, but unless you're a woman who lives there you cannot know what the progress, regardless of how small, means to them. Bush noted that women who were once forced by taliban to be clothed from head to toe are now training in the Afghan National Police!!! That's progress and I'm so proud of them.

my brother in law is deployed to Afghanistan right now. It is his third deployment since the invasion. Each deployment is for 6-8 months at a time.

My sister reported that conditions are so much better for not only the women but the children especially. For Christmas, my children donated sporting equipment to children in the middle east. Most of them had never seen a soccer ball or a football, never.

I am so proud of my brother in law and the sacrifices he and his family have made so that others can feel just a fraction of the freedom and blessings we take for granted every day.

Thanks for the article Mary!