Major Joshua Mast

Also, with my interpreter's three kids, or three siblings, they didn't have any documents at all, like a birth certificate, and that was it. And they had no connection to this group, so making sure that they stayed together and they routed together to the states was very important. And so we, I mean, we were relentless in trying to advocate to get them through, and that succeeded after a few days.

Also, with my interpreter's three kids, or three siblings, they didn't have any documents at all, like a birth certificate, and that was it. And they had no connection to this group, so making sure that they stayed together and they routed together to the states was very important. And so we, I mean, we were relentless in trying to advocate to get them through, and that succeeded after a few days.

But hats off to the staff. And the USO, I mean, they were... The USO was phenomenal. I actually met the deputy commander of base. His wife at two in the morning was volunteering with the USO. And they're like, you know, getting coloring books and blankets and like just serving. And it was... these people were so, it was such a traumatic experience.

But hats off to the staff. And the USO, I mean, they were... The USO was phenomenal. I actually met the deputy commander of base. His wife at two in the morning was volunteering with the USO. And they're like, you know, getting coloring books and blankets and like just serving. And it was... these people were so, it was such a traumatic experience.

But hats off to the staff. And the USO, I mean, they were... The USO was phenomenal. I actually met the deputy commander of base. His wife at two in the morning was volunteering with the USO. And they're like, you know, getting coloring books and blankets and like just serving. And it was... these people were so, it was such a traumatic experience.

Imagine leaving everything you know and love, you know, from the fear of a great evil, like the Taliban, and then going to- Your whole life in a garbage bag. Yeah, your entire life in a garbage bag. And so, like, we were serving our hearts out to try to, like, to get everybody out. Like, I was, there was- How did you find her, though? I think a phone.

Imagine leaving everything you know and love, you know, from the fear of a great evil, like the Taliban, and then going to- Your whole life in a garbage bag. Yeah, your entire life in a garbage bag. And so, like, we were serving our hearts out to try to, like, to get everybody out. Like, I was, there was- How did you find her, though? I think a phone.

Imagine leaving everything you know and love, you know, from the fear of a great evil, like the Taliban, and then going to- Your whole life in a garbage bag. Yeah, your entire life in a garbage bag. And so, like, we were serving our hearts out to try to, like, to get everybody out. Like, I was, there was- How did you find her, though? I think a phone.

I think they had like a Wi-Fi signal at some point.

I think they had like a Wi-Fi signal at some point.

I think they had like a Wi-Fi signal at some point.

Yeah, they would be able to connect to Wi-Fi and then send us a message. So we found them. But then we would lose them when they processed to the next one. So we'd have to find them each day, basically.

Yeah, they would be able to connect to Wi-Fi and then send us a message. So we found them. But then we would lose them when they processed to the next one. So we'd have to find them each day, basically.

Yeah, they would be able to connect to Wi-Fi and then send us a message. So we found them. But then we would lose them when they processed to the next one. So we'd have to find them each day, basically.

Yeah, I felt responsible because I didn't want to leave. I knew the Taliban would kill people if they disobeyed them. I believe that with every fiber of my being, I think they would have.

Yeah, I felt responsible because I didn't want to leave. I knew the Taliban would kill people if they disobeyed them. I believe that with every fiber of my being, I think they would have.

Yeah, I felt responsible because I didn't want to leave. I knew the Taliban would kill people if they disobeyed them. I believe that with every fiber of my being, I think they would have.

And just that I wasn't responsible for anybody's death was a big relief for me. It was exhilaration.

And just that I wasn't responsible for anybody's death was a big relief for me. It was exhilaration.

And just that I wasn't responsible for anybody's death was a big relief for me. It was exhilaration.