COKATO, MN – The Cokato-Dassel Rotary Club had the honor of hosting Colonel Kevin Wilson of Cokato Thursday while he was on a 10-day leave from the Army Corp of Engineers’ Headquarters in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Wilson spoke to the Rotary Club and visiting guests about the work that is in progress. Such work includes the building of eight cities to support military operations following last February’s troop increase in Afghanistan, construction of infrastructure such as roads, creating rule of law by training a credible police force, and protecting the Afghan people from the Taliban.
He explained how so many of the projects led by the military has to be a grassroots effort in order for them to work. Community outreach is a large aspect, he said.
“There is nothing easy in Afghanistan,” Wilson said, explaining everything takes time, especially building a democracy.
Also during the meeting, Wilson presented the club with a flag that was flown in its honor Feb. 11-12. This particular flag was also flown during that time at half-mast for a fallen Marine soldier as he was being sent home.
The certificate was signed by Wilson and read: “Let it be known that this flag of the United States of America was flown over the US Army Corp Engineers’ Headquarters in Kandahar, Afghanistan, bearing witness to the sacrifices made to protect the freedom of the United States of America and the world in the overseas contingency operations during Operation ‘Enduring Freedom.’”
Pictured is Colonel Kevin Wilson presenting Cokato Dassel Rotary’s President-elect Phil Geoffrion with a flag that was flown at half-mast at the Army Corp of Engineers’ Headquarters in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for a fallen marine being sent home.
Thanks Kevin for a wonderful program today. It’s nice to know what’s going on there and the good that is evolving. Thanks for serving our country and the sacrifices you – and your wife – make. God Bless!