In 2019 I ended my tour in Afghanistan, leaving my friend Zekria, "Zak," in Mazar-i Sharif. In 2024, Kabul fell to the Taliban - Zak, his wife, and his four children waited at the Kabul airport for weeks trying to get out. I tried to link him up with US Forces through text, FaceTime, and email. His feet were bloody from walking, his children were thirsty and hungry, and they endured the Abbey Gate IED blast. They were unfortunately left behind when the last US Forces withdrew. For the past four years, I worked with a small network of heroes, NGOs, and even celebrities to get Zak and his family out of Afghanistan. They endured an oppressive Taliban regime, lost their house and possessions, and lived life on the run fearing for their lives. For a long time, I gave up – but Zak never did. He continued to fight to get his family to safety. In the spring of 2024, we managed to get Zak’s family to Islamabad, Pakistan in the middle of the night. This was the most dangerous journey yet – could they make it past Taliban checkpoints and customs as a wanted pro-US Afghan family on the run? After a sleepless night, I heard from Zak – they crossed the border successfully. The next day, an earthquake struck Islamabad and they had to again evacuate from what was supposed to be a safe haven. The perilous journey, which had already been long, seemed never-ending. In June, Zak and his family arrived in Houston, Texas, finally on US soil. While the culture shock remains, they no longer fear Taliban raids, bomb blasts, or an oppressive Taliban regime that prevents women and girls from attending school and recruits boys into its ranks to fight and die for a false and bastardized version of Islam. In the next few weeks, I’m moving Zak into my house in the DC area. They will have a roof over their heads, his wife will be free from Taliban abuse, and his sons and daughters will grow up in the US, go to school, and have every opportunity to make their own way in a free world. All of this has and will continue to cost money. Flying his family from Texas to DC, re-furnishing the house, buying clothes and school supplies, getting him a car, and ensuring they have what they need to start completely anew. Zak gave nearly 20 years to the US Government, and I am trying to ensure we truly thank him for his service and for all the risks he, and his family, have taken. If you have spare clothing, kitchen supplies, or home furnishings, or can spare a few dollars, every bit helps. If you can’t afford to donate, even a card welcoming his family to the US would go a long way to thanking our Afghan allies for risking their lives for the United States (just reach out for the address). Even sharing this message with your contacts is much appreciated. His children are aged 8 to 17, and Zak and his wife are barely older than I am. They have endured more than any of us can ever imagine. This ask comes from me personally and me alone and is in no way affiliated to the US Government.
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