A couple of weeks ago, I sent out a special message to all of you about my good friend Mark O'Donald, who returned from Afghanistan about a year ago.

 

He was a Navy reservist, a photo journalist who ended up serving as General Stanley McChrystal's personal photographer. His story has just been told by the Salem Gazette, along with some of the amazing photographs he took while he was there, and I wanted to share the article with all of you.

 

Mark is working on a book, and there will be a website soon. More importantly, he has plans - and he keeps getting asked - to work with troops BEFORE they are deployed over there to teach them what to expect, respect, and appreciate. Also, to fend off some of the returning angst that doesn't necessarily have to happen.

 

This past Thursday was my birthday, and I had a picnic dinner on Crane Beach with Mark and his beautiful wife, my dear friend Fariba, and it was kind of amazing to watch Mark fly a kite, enjoy a good meal, and dip his toes into the Atlantic. Thank God he came back. Thank God he can just, simply, fly a kite on Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

 

As I have come to learn from Mark and from so many other veterans I have come to know, especially recently, "it" is never over. "It" is always just under the surface.

 

As Mark makes clear in the Salem Gazette article, his service is by no means over, and I know he will help all kinds of people in the months and years ahead - including people like me, and you - by sharing his story. He is a good teacher. 

 

I hope you enjoy the Salem Gazette article.

 

"The world" will be hearing from Mark O'Donald, so you're getting special, early exposure!

 

Be well, and be in touch! 

Bonnie