[FearMonkey]

I had an interesting interaction with an Afghan Commando last year. One of the more senior Afghan Commando Officers came over to talk to me. He wanted to offer his condolences for my teammate who was Killed In Action last Summer. During our discussion he mentioned his American friend, "Mike" and talked about what a good man he was. I assumed he was talking about one of the many Special Forces soldiers that have been working with, training, and fighting alongside those Commandos for the last decade, but as this seasoned Commando Officer kept reminiscing I realized he was talking about Mike Spann.

I finally asked him, "Do you mean Mike from Qala-i-Jangi?" He replied, "Of course! Mike was the first American I ever met, and I knew the future of Afghanistan was bright if America was going to send more people like him."

I thought I would share this because I think it really says something about a persons character when he is remembered and his memory cherished not only by those who share the same background, values, and sense of patriotism, but also by those folks his life (and death) touched and inspired who live half a world away and only knew him as "Mike the American."