What Happened To Helmand Valley Archive?
Congratulations, you're reading the first non-hockey post on this blog.
Look, I've spent a lot of time chipping away at this thing I call writing. I've tried multiple blog platforms. There are three things I like writing about. Hockey (specifically, the Blackhawks), Afghanistan, and random thoughts. I'm tired of creating little homes for each "space."
This is my home now, and I'll write about whatever it is I want. If you don't want to read about the time my goofy stride saved my life in a firefight or me rambling on about something that doesn't matter, well, don't read it. Stick to the hockey posts.
And if you'd rather read about the times I got shot at, well, guess what? This is a hockey blog first and foremost. So you'll just have to deal with that too. Or don't subscribe. I don't care.
But let's address the Afghanistan stuff. Specifically, what the hell happened to my page, Helmand Valley Archive?
Let's call it for what it is.
I made an emotion-based decision because I'm terrible at dealing with online interactions (and any form of social mingling, for that matter).
It's easy to deal with internet trolls, and even fun when you know how to get under their skins. What sucks is when fellow veterans try to get under your skin after you've poured your heart into something.
Yeah, there are shitty veterans. That's life. And we can do what we can to make the community better.
But what isn't right is when I let comments get to my head and I end up pulling the plug on a project. There's a lot to dig under the hood on my side (not giving a shit about what other people think, you can't make everyone happy, the list goes on). People sent me their cherished photos and memories about a remarkable event in their lives, and I let my feelings get in the way of that.
That's it. That's what happened.
An apology is owed. An apology that doesn't wipe away ownership.
To those who sent me photos and videos or enjoyed looking through what I posted: I'm sorry.
There's no defense for getting butthurt. Just get better.
And yes, the page is back on.
Next up for Helmand Valley Archive is 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines' deployment in 2008. This week I'll be working on their unit history and make a post about their lineage. Once that's released, I'll share photos and footage that I found.
Much like I did with 2/1, I'll be taking my time. I have a real life outside of this stuff, you know. And I hate rushing things. So no, I don't have any idea of how long this will take. After 2/7, I'll be hitting up 1/8 in 2010.
And one last note, for any followers from Helmand Valley Archive who stumbled here, don't expect a lot of Afghan writing. This is a Chicago Blackhawks blog first and foremost. So if you choose to subscribe, you should expect that.
I do have a Substack set up specifically for Helmand Valley Archive, but I currently don't post there. I don't know that I ever will. I only have limited bandwidth.
Until next time.
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