Afghan-U.S Summit
Howdy,
I’m exhausted. Today, I drove to Topeka to hang out with my buddy, Steve, a Vietnam War veteran. He’ll come on Shoulder to Shoulder in September. We’re also hiring an editor to boost the quality of our podcast. He will also help us purchase new equipment so we can level up.
I also wanted to update you on all of our work. But instead of reinventing the wheel, I’ll steal Kate’s excellent update on our LinkedIn profile.
Curious what we've been up to? We'd love to fill you in!
(1) We recently linked up with two young Afghan graphic designers, Jamil Jalalzadah and Naweed Hesan, who redesigned our logos, banners, business cards, and letterhead. Meant to demonstrate the special relationship between veterans and civilians, there’s even a special nod to our Air Force teammates on there. We hope you love the new designs as much as we do. (And please, consider using Jamil and Naweed for your own media projects! They were exceptional to work with in all respects.)
(2) We’ve welcomed the immensely talented Shir Zad Sarbaz to the team, who will primarily offer timely updates on the resettlement landscape (including lesser-known benefits) for Afghans living in the U.S. We hope this information will better position all refugees to succeed in their new lives here.
(3) Get ready for another podcast, folks! Hosted by the brilliant and charming Sara Davidson, MS and Natalie Stosberg, Service Unplugged is your go-to resource for your every day veteran connection, perspective, and experience.
Have a question you want answered? Shoot us an email at GCV.friends@gmail.com.
(4) We’ve started accepting applications for our virtual moral injury support group! Applications are due by August 15, and only seven slots remain, so be sure to submit yours in soon.
Application link: https://lnkd.in/geZZWXB4
(5) We’re preparing to co-host our very first event with Sami Sadat and the Afghan United Front on August 15, to commemorate the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. This event is invite-only, but keep an eye out for future public events!
(6) Staying true to our commitment to leverage Afghan voices, we’ve launched two columns particularly worthy of your attention: Whispers of Aqsa, by 7-year-old Aqsa Rahmani who recently resettled in the U.S.; and Hope’s Corner by 16-year-old Helai (pseudonym), a young girl living in Kabul.
(7) And last, but certainly not least: we’ve hit our first 100 paid subscribers, and are closing in on 1,000 subscribers total. We’re so grateful for your interest in our work and patience as we continue to grow. Everything we do is for you.
Here is our new logo.
Not only are we teaming up with our friends at Give an Hour to provide our service members with a free year of Moral Injury support, but we’re also teaming up with our friends at the Afghan United Front to hold the 1st Afghan U.S. Summit. Our good friend Bill Roggio and some wicked intelligent people will speak at the summit.
We will provide more information on this summit early next week.
Lastly, we want to thank you for all of your support. We are a veteran-owned/operated start-up working unseemly hours trying to create something worthwhile for everyone involved.
We so appreciate your patience as we fix some problems here and there.
We will roll out more over the next few months. For example, we’re in the process of creating a non-profit focused on supporting our Afghan National Security Force brothers and sisters here in the United States. More to follow.
We couldn’t do it without your support. Consider supporting us by becoming a subscriber. If you’re feeling generous, maybe a paid subscriber? And if you want to thank me for my service, become a founding member.
Did I just go there?
Yes.
Other Stuff
First, we have added a new comment section rule. Not only do we expect our readers to dissent with respect, but we will not tolerate anyone who demeans our service to Afghanistan. Yesterday, a reader made a perfectly valid point about JD Vance but ended it by accusing me of being a “part of the problem in Afghanistan.”
I’ve never had anyone say anything more insulting to me in my entire life.
Usually, I give people a warning, but not that one. So don’t do that. Please don’t come and attack us for being part of the problem in Afghanistan. The Taliban, Al Qaeda, and the Islamic State are the problem in Afghanistan.
Do you know who is not a problem in Afghanistan? A veteran-owned start-up media company dedicated to elevating the voices of our Afghan allies. I spent 1500 days in Iraq and Afghanistan.
has dedicated the last three years of her life to the Afghan girls we left behind. For the last few weeks, we’ve busted our hump, trying to elevate as many Afghan voices as possible.In short, I’m wrong about a lot of stuff. But it’s really heartbreaking to have someone come onto this Substack and accuse GCV+F of being part of the problem in Afghanistan.
That’s an insult to the 3 Afghans who work at GCV+F. It’s an insult to our first contributor, Abdul Rahman Rahmani. And it’s an insult to his daughter, Aqsa, who writes a weekly article for GCV+F.
So, please, don’t say that to us, especially not in August.
Phew.
Ok. Now, there’s also going to be some changes. First, I will no longer write about politics on the Daily Rant. Politics will only be discussed with
, so you get the balance you deserve. I will use the Daily Rant to focus on veterans' issues, terrorism, PTSD, and, of course, Afghanistan.I think that’s fair.
I Win The Internet?
Yesterday, I enjoyed a wonderful picnic with my daughter. Every Friday is Daddy-Daughter Time (DDT), so I will hang out with my little princess for most of today.
She’s my life—the most important thing. And I’m forever grateful to be her father.
What a wonderful gift. She’s sunshine to my soul.
Enjoy your weekend! See you next week!
"I’m exhausted. Today, I drove to Topeka"
Topeka will Do That! :-)
I will miss the political rants. You have every reason to feel as you do. Maybe all we can do or should do is read your pain and rage and remember it--since we can't fix it. But no doubt the reason for not using them is solid too.
The other changes sound extremely positive. I keep forwarding GCV+F to people here who work with veterans or who need to hear what you all say.