A contingent of 108 New Zealand Defence Force personnel spent Christmas 2006 in Afghanistan. For many it was the first Christmas they have spent away from friends and family in New Zealand. Private Edric Rameka writes of his Christmas experience with the 11 other Kiwi's stationed with the National Support Element at Bagram Air Field.
This is the first time some of us have spent Christmas away from New Zealand without family and friends. It is also the first white Christmas most of us have experienced. Despite these alien circumstances, we made the most of what we had.
On the morning of Christmas, Santa decided to join us to hand out all the US$5 presents we had bought for each other before hand. He was dressed in his Santa hat and beard, dark aviator shades and desert camouflage, and had his own 9mm Sig Sauer pistol by his side. He was our very own desert Santa. Everyone was happy to receive their gift and some commented that it wasn’t every Christmas they got what they asked for.
We all decided on a morning brunch around ten o’clock cooked by the senior non-commissioned officers and officers. Brunch was a feast of muffins with bacon, eggs, tomatoes and cheese cooked on the BBQ. There was also junk food and our very own Kiwi L&P to wash it down. Later that night at dinner all junior non-commissioned officers and privates were served dinner by the senior ranks.
Coming to the end of the day, it was time to relax and consume more junk food. We all gathered in the recreation room, got comfortable and watched a couple of movies. It was a great way to wind down after a great day and one we won’t soon forget.
From all the Kiwis at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, we hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Read more about the National Support Element