Showing the Islamic culture Americans’ dedication to God and traditional family values could ease misconceptions many overseas have about the United States and its culture.

This was the message South Carolina National Guard Lt. Colonel Bill Connor brought to Orangeburg Rotarians Tuesday afternoon, relating his experiences serving for about 15 months in Afghanistan as part of the 218th Infantry Brigade. The brigade was sent to train and advise the Afghanistan National Army and police.

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“There is a worldwide ideology conflict going on,” Connor said, stressing the need for leaders and American citizens to better understand the ideology, values and ideals of Islamic culture. He says these values are not that far from western Christian ideals of devotion to God and strong, stable families.

Relating his conversations with Afghan-Americans serving as interpreters for the United States overseas, Connor said what has been relayed to him by interpreters can often be overlooked.

“They talk about the values of America ... they say that Americans honor God, there are churches everywhere. That is who they are. That is the people they are,” Connor said, noting that as a Christian he prayed in front of the Islamic people. “It gains respect. When I talk to Afghan people behind closed doors ... they like America. They really do.”

Connor said opponents of the United States cite Sharia or Islamic law as superior to Western law and often cite the moral breakdown of the American culture brought to their country in the form of Hollywood and television as skewing their vision of the United States.

“If we portray ourselves in one way, it gives the enemy the ammunition to say, ‘Wait a second, Sharia law may be harsh, women in burkas may be hard ... cutting off your hand may be hard, but ... take a look over here, ‘Do you want your families to fall apart, do you want gay marriage to be rampant?’”

Connor said the discussion of religious values and commitment is a constant theme for the Saudi Arabian Immam in sermons.

“It is something we need to think about,” he said.

Connor said while ideology is a challenge, other challenges include the huge poppy trade in the country. Poppies, which can be converted into heroine, ares about 50 percent of Afghanistan’s cash crop. Connor said marijuana is also a large problem that has contributed to high local crime rates and further instability.

“It is not our job to get involved in the destruction of poppies,” Connor said, noting that would bring more difficulties in trying to win over the Afghani people and government. “A possible solution ... is to buy it out and find a replacement crop.”

But he recognized that other crops may not be beneficial, particularly in light of the high poverty and mortality rates in the country.

“Poppies is a tough one,” he said.

Other issues of concern, Connor says, are the unity of command and structure in southern Afghanistan and in Pakistan. Currently, he said the relationship between various international security and development missions and countries could be strengthened.

Connor also pointed to the need to stabilize neighboring Pakistan.

“We do realize they have a nuclear weapon, so how far do we push them?” Connor said. “We are sure al-Qaida is there. We know stuff is going on. We have to take a look at what is going on in Pakistan.”

Despite the challenges, Conner expressed his confidence that the self-sacrifice of U.S. soldiers will prevail.

Connor, who headed up a group of about 16 young soldiers from all walks of life and educational backgrounds, praised the flexibility of his men and their willingness to sacrifice their lives for others.

A case in point was the mobilization of troops because of the Iraqi surge, he said. The surge propelled the men to assume greater responsibilities in the southern region of the country near Kandahar, which has been among the most violent places in the country.

“These people volunteered not because they had to but because they believed in what they were doing,” Connor said, explaining how there have beenrecent statements made about mothers being afraid someone would take their sons and daughters away. “Well, nobody will take your baby. We volunteer. It is absolutely amazing.”

Connor also shared how he was able to have a surprise meeting with Lt. Prince Harry, who serves in the Blues and Royals regiment in the British Army, this past Christmas.

He said he and his men met him in the Garmsir District of the Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, where he fought with him from around Christmas to the new year.

“It was amazing he is not but a 23-year-old man,” Connor said.

Connor also shared the heroic stories of how his men and others had to contend not only with the enemy but also with difficult conditions such as oppressive heat, language barriers while fighting in international territory, and violent conditions with Afghan police forces being wiped out in the hundreds by terrorist groups.

Connor said none of the soldiers “shirked” their respective duties and showed “discretion” in fighting when enemy soldiers were using women and children as shields in fighting.

“It was a major combat situation,” he said. “You never heard about guys losing control in situations where they could have died. They showed bravery and also showed discrimination.”

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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