decorahnews.com exclusive: Christmas in Kandahar Province

A Christmas tree in the desert at FOB Walton in Afghanistan

(Kandahar Province, Afghanistan)--It's Christmas in Afghanistan for the soldiers of the Decorah-based 322nd Engineering Unit.  But their Christmas presents will come a few weeks later this year--a return to the United States some time in January.

"Words can't express" the feeling of getting ready to head home, said Decorah area soldier Andrew Hageman.  Another member of the 322nd, who lives in Michigan, said he would "kiss the ground the moment I land."

In the meantime, many of the Decorah soldiers were able to enjoy a large Christmas day feast at Forward Operating Base Walton, in Kandahar Province.  The meal featured many of the trappings of Christmas Day back home, including prime rib, ham and lots of desserts.

decorahnews.com has been touring the projects completed by soldiers from the 322EN and will be reporting on their work over the next two weeks.  We will also provide word of when many of the soldiers will return to Decorah (some will go straight to their homes in other states instead) and the activities planned to welcome them home.

The Christmas meal at FOB Walton