MESSAGES FROM AFGHANISTAN

About the Book

Fifty-one years old and off to war, what woman dreams of spending her golden years in heavy body armor carrying an M-4 rifle? Relive the experience of one Air Force nurse’s service in a foreign land in MESSAGES FROM AFGHANISTAN, a collection of correspondence on culture, war, and struggle authored by Nancy Lachapelle. This book is a compilation of emails sent to family and friends chronicling her service in Afghanistan—her participation in the effort to win the war on terror by winning the hearts and minds of the people. You will enjoy a unique first hand perspective of day-to-day survival as Lachapelle recounts with wisdom and humor the trials and tribulations of her new Afghan friends’ quest for peace and safety for themselves and their children. You will come to understand the similarities of people everywhere and to appreciate the deep love and dedication the Afghan people have for their country. Through this book, Lachapelle shares her appreciation for the loyalty, generosity, and intelligent nature of the Afghan people, which thrived despite the despair that their nation has endured for over thirty years at war.

About the Author

Lt Col Nancy Lachapelle kept this journal while embedded with the US Army for six months in 2007-2008 during Operation Enduring Freedom as the Chief Nurse Mentor for Paktia Regional Medical Center, Gardez, Afghanistan. The mission was to assist a staff of 120 Afghan National Army medical professionals in the establishment of their Military Health System. Nancy retired from the Air Force in September 2008 after 22 years of service; she is currently living in Fort Benton Montana with her amazing husband of 17 years Matt Patrias and her wonderful 13-year-old son Charlie Lachapelle.