Bold, full of hope, and with a healthy fear for their speck-on-a-map villages, the Afghan elders arrived at this U.S. firebase recently for a change-of-guard ceremony. Expected to be a gracious host — but with little suitable food and after being caught off-guard by the elders who had arrived one day in advance — U.S. Army Capt. Dennis Sugrue invited the handful of weathered men to join him for lunch on cushions on the floor.
The air was thick with concerned expectation. The U.S. officers hoped to win these elders as allies against a growing insurgency with promises of development projects and friendship. And there has been some progress: a growing number of project requests, and even help finding insurgent locations.
But would there be enough food, when the lids were removed, to honor the Afghan guests? Or would the two Army captains find themselves embarrassed by a meager offering?
After the lids were swept from two large platters, the assembled party caught its collective breath. Two small grilled chickens would be enough meat to forge closer bonds between these Afghan elders and their American hosts. Business could commence.