Independence Day

I slept late, until 1000, when it was time to get ready for a trip back to CNL. We drove in a convoy with MOT E and stopped by at the provincial ANP headquarters for a meeting with the chief of police. The reason to go back to CNL after only one day in Aybak was the Independence Day festivities. There was a line-up with speeches, promotions and medals, and after that a festive dinner. Everyone in the my (2/09) rotation received a medal, the NATO Non article 5 ISAF, including me. That's my second medal - my first one, the Nijmegen Four Day Marches medal, is hanging on the pocket zipper of my leather jacket. Perhaps I'll hang this one on the other pocket. The Finnish minister of defence was attending. After dinner, as I was sitting outside the Suomi-house with a cigar, and the minister with his entourage sat down at the same table and we talked for a while. I also met the old MOT D at the Swedes' "Glowing Scorpion" bar. In the Suomi-house, the President's Independence Day reception is showing on satellite TV. The weather is very cold, but there is fortunately a heater in our tent. The sky is full of stars.