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THE OAR STORY
THE FALL OF KABUL
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On August 15, 2021, just two weeks before U.S. troops were set to leave Afghanistan, the Taliban marched into Kabul and took the city with little resistance. The Afghan government fell with astonishing speed and the former president, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country. Pandemonium swept through the streets with thousands of desperate civilians being left behind in the chaos. Fear and uncertainty grew as the Taliban reclaimed power...
Only hours later, a C-17 aircraft begins to land into the throngs of Afghanistan's International airport. Little did these service members know that they were going to be witness to one of the most chaotic and heroic evacuation's in human history.
Kabul, once a bustling city, was now shrouded in fear and desperation. And while the world watched, Afghans were left with only one option...
Hamid Karzai International Airport soon became the epicenter of a mass exodus.
The scenes at the airport were both heart-wrenching and heroic. Videos and images circulated worldwide, showing people clambering onto moving planes, some even clinging to the landing gear, only to tragically fall from the sky. U.S. and allied forces scrambled to establish control and create a semblance of order amidst the chaos. Despite impossible odds and imminent danger, military personnel and diplomats worked relentlessly to rescue American's and our allies.
These acts of heroism were not isolated incidents. Across the airport service members displayed extraordinary bravery, often at great personal risk. Because of their actions they gave a semblance of hope and order in an otherwise dire situation.
ATTACK AT ABBEY GATE
On August 26, 2021, the world was shaken by a devastating attack at Abbey Gate of Kabul's International Airport. Amid the frantic efforts, a suicide bomber struck, leading to one of the deadliest days of U.S. forces in over a decade. The attack claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians.
In the face of unimaginable danger, the bravery and sacrifice of those on the ground highlighted the extremity of their level of commitment toward the mission and to each other.The true character of the American service member shone through. Many who survived the initial blast rushed to aid the wounded, providing critical medical assistance and helping to evacuate the injured. Their swift actions undoubtedly saved countless lives. Many, who sustained injuries from the blast, continued to assist others--despite their own pain and risk. These acts of selflessness and bravery exemplifies the courage that defines the United States military.
THEY SACRIFICED
SO OTHERS MAY LIVE
THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
COMING HOME
Shortly after experiencing the Kabul evacuation first hand, we came home. With us, we brought back the invisible wounds of war-- Moral Injury.
What we were witness to in Kabul created a dramatic shift to our moral compass, or as Dr. Jonathan Shay, author of Achilles in Vietnam, describes - a shrinkage to the moral horizon.
Instantly we lost trust in leadership, in institutions, and more importantly, we lost trust in ourselves.
Guilt, shame, and betrayal tore at us. We were broken by what we had seen and done, and in the end, we felt abandoned by those who should have stood by us.
Moving on from this proved to be a near impossible task and for answers, our community quickly turned toward isolation...
No one was coming to save us
THE BIRTH OF A FOUNDATION
Operation Allies Refuge Foundation was born knowing that we, as veterans, had a duty to support each other even after service.
Having a deep sense of solitarity , we recongnized that many of our peers were facing similar struggles. We knew we had to take action.
We began by sharing their stories in Kabul which created a bond and became the foundation's cornerstone.
Today, we are focused on healing the moral injuries sustained in veterans so that they can move on and live fullfiling lives, full of purpose.
We will do this through peer support, therapy, experiential retreats, and service missions that reaffirms who they are--all in a continumm of care program, called After War
we are driven by the vision that no veteran should ever have to fight their battles alone.
