After 20 Years, US Army Officer Reunites with Afghan Interpreter

Since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan last year, current and former U.S. service members have campaigned to get their Afghan interpreters to safety. VOA’s Kane Farabaugh, who reported from Afghanistan for the U.S. military in 2002, followed up on efforts that led to a reunion.
Originally published at - www.voanews.com/a/after-20-ye...
» Subscribe to VOA News: bit.ly/3KIPysi
» Watch more VOA News video: / voanews
Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations.
Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press.
Connect with VOA News:
» VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.voanews.com/
» LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: / voiceofamerica
» FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: / voanews
» FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: / voanews

[@jan3019]

He's not just an Afghan Hero, also i would consider him a American Hero too for saving lives of American Soldiers

[@PeterJPickles]

That is what we say in Britain, "Fight for us, you are us"

[@acedup00]

American terrorist invaders*

[@phoenixrising8640]

He is an Afghan traitor.

[@krishnakhatri2427]

@@phoenixrising8640 taliban sympathizer

[@Predator212ma]

to kill innocent people

[@anthonyfuentes947]

All interpreters should've been on expedited list

[@temujinkhan6326]

He is more American than majority of Americans who was born here and have no appreciation of being born one. The truth is most people like him and most legal immigrants have better apreciation of being here and becoming Americans.

[@qaisyosufzai1369]

Trust me many afghans were beheaded just for American flags in there arms deport the criminals Andale America great again

[@timeisfleeting2452]

Moving stuff. Almost brought me to tears. Two great men right here folks.

[@daynalindsey4778]

Mee..toooo.. This is how we all should be. ♥️

[@petitben5240]

Honestly! Human being at its best.

[@stephensmith4480]

Man Alive, it gives you faith in humanity. What a truly heart moving story, these men are truly inspiring.

[@Palestine_Pakistan]

Traitor

[@tailwind12]

sorry. i disagree. i am not changing minds here, that is not my goal. but i also served in afghanistan for 6 tours up until 2017. these are "feel good" story's of media. how about speaking to the spouses, parents of US military killed by the tabs in Afghanistan. we (veterans) did not go to afghanistan to "free the language assistants" OR to become a visa facilitation service hence many of the LAs did not want to join the afghan police or army. the language assistants (LAs) were good guys. did there job.OK..they were paid for that in afghanistan. the goal was for them to work for us, secure their nation and stay. now as some of our soilders lay in a cemetery..the LA's are happy and fat in the US. cars, home, ect..mostly on the US taxpayer dime. folks-think back to september 2001...that was NOT our goal going to afghanistan. the goal was not to loose trillion$, 2600 US lives, but when the tabs kick us out...we bring 100,000 afghans with us to the US...costing billion$ and slow joe and other try to say that is what: victory looks like. not it not. do not take all the "feel" sorry for them. they worked for us to get a visa. they know if they hung out and worked for the US--the mission would fail, as it did and they would get to the US. our team had a saying going back to 2012: the LA's do not want freedom "for" Afghanistan they want freedom "from" afghanistan. it is not folks, it was "failure" and we owed the LA's: nothing believe this documentary, all the politicians that state how "we won" if we bring afghans that cared less about their nation to the US...FYI..this was and is DC...covering their azz.. believe the media all you want, i could care less..at the end of the day it is your tax money they sucked up and are still wasting.

[@mariomalpica81]

Great touching story. I love to see those honorable people come into our country and be a part of it. God bless. Great coverage of this story that’s been twenty years in the making.

[@angelvpineda8148]

Glad it had a Happy ending. He definitely deserve more then papers automatic citizenship. I earned mine I served in the Navy then switch over to the Marines. My Afghani brother thank you for serving alongside our man in the army you definitely deserve your legal status in our country you earned it.

[@qaisyosufzai1369]

As a former interpreter it makes me so emotional after so many years they met and look how they changed and now they are old .

[@phoenixrising8640]

U and him sold your own people for $$$. May Allah never let u set foot in Afghanistan again In Sha Allah. We are free and happy now.

[@m.abhishekvarma3655]

​@@phoenixrising8640in Taliban killing people. Stopped women to get education Yeah ur definitely happy

[@Z_1917]

Wow, how about that? Man, this is epic! This is really what I call mutual love and respect between warriors, serving under the US 🇺🇸 military service. Salute to these two lovely men!

[@jimmihaley3238]

Very Moving Stuff, Actually brought me to a complete stop and started crying, Many of us will never know or feel what they went through over seas.

[@EmmaDee]

I honestly have goose bumps and tears hearing this story. Friendship formed in war.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

Army vet here. Stupid war and lost of lives and money. I served 93-97. Was asked after 9/11 to rejoin when I was 26. I told the recruiter. “ I know my military history. The Russians lost. Why would the US do any better” I developed peacetime PTSD from not seeing combat. It all went away when the Withdraw of Afghanistan happened. I pity all 9/11 Vets. I was right…

[@phoenixrising8640]

No Afghan was involved in 9/11 and our Taliban in 2001 asked your US government for proof of Bin Laden's guilt and were willing to try him themselves or send him to The Hague/independent 3rd country to get a fair trial but until today, no proof was given and the US just bombed us and illegally invaded our country and waged a 20yr illegal war on us. We also never saw Bin Laden's dead body. Americans need to open their eyes amd realise this...majority of us Afghans support Taliban and our Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan government and security forces now. We hated the US and NATO foreign invader terrorists and their Afghan puppets. History repeated itself and our Taliban are ruling again and history will repeat itself again if need be...Taliban are our own Afghans and our rightful rulers. Your US foreign invader terrorists may be out our country, but your terrorist government are now sanctioning us and has stolen our Afghan assets which is making the humanitarian crisis which started under the US-Ghani regime worse and tying our Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan government's hands to rebuild Afghanistan and our economy faster and manage the humanitarian crisis. The US terrorist government also keeps disrespectfully interfering in our internal affairs.We are being punished for kicking the US and NATO foreign invader terrorists out.

[@rea683]

brought tears in my eyes !!! their would be no hate between us if we humans just get to know eachother well!!! What a great friendship they forged...Because two humans decide to watch eachother back and took care of eachother....

[@davidwalalason7630]

They say mountains never meet but human beings do.

[@2wahineandadog]

Well done - so glad his service was fully appreciated and rewarded!!!

[@davis_8082]

I am no milityry men, but i think all of us can agree that ''friendships forged in War'' (4:26) are some of the strongest bonds out there. What really moved me was the photo of the Soldier with the intepreters baby and then both of them 20 years later. God bless these men.

[@Palestine_Pakistan]

Traitor

[@AlexZ-lc6nl]

You can tell both men want to cry but being men of war, they hold back the emotions and act awkward about it--but love each other with that bond forged only in war.

[@duck1889]

Damn. This made me cry.

[@Redmeatsteak]

Thank you for all you guys service and this Afghanistan family.Should make this true story movie.

[@FranciscoSoteloWeb]

we are all together humans, same blood, same feelings, same way of love.

[@bilalbashir]

Touching story amazing marine who remembered his afghan friend

[@Winchester1six]

whats important is his family make the most of it here in the U.S just like my family did with another war... Thanks to all the service members out there..

[@cucunjameela]

War doesn't forged friendship, it forged brotherhood

[@donofs]

whew boy....all the feels. Just wonderful.

[@imerupp]

Beautiful, God Bless our Allies across the globe!

[@extanegautham8950]

what a swwet man, the soldier from kentuchy, tearing up remembering his friend and offering him a plce to live...

[@ramishrambarran3998]

Man, these things get me emotional !!

[@rocketdogticker]

As usual, only vets helping us vets. May Allah swt guide and bless us all.

[@orpheus1662]

😂😂😂

[@stevesteffen7001]

This is what I love about military personnel, they protect their own.

[@DaleEfti]

Dying for the right cause is the most humane thing we can ever do

[@Bepis13]

made me cry what an amazing story

[@alithefogman]

Thank god he is safe

[@clarawillis6168]

God bless all.

[@richardbob1665]

How are you doing beautiful

[@anthonynguyen6658]

Such an uplifting story!

[@JimRNJ]

Fantastic story, glad to see it ended well.

[@maricelfranklin7256]

Wow amazing. I’m happy for them ❤ God bless🙏

[@apyuvarajkumar8429]

Excellent video--it was heart touching.

[@daisydupre4873]

So good to see loyalty !

[@zat0076]

crazy stories out there..America is one hell of a country full of surprises.

[@lotsofhairbutnomoney3705]

Amidst all the noise of the military industrial complex there are these glimpses of light and humanity that we all appreciate.

[@farazkhan7035]

very good journalism. keep up the good work.

[@RoanCorporation]

Being good always bear fruit , goodbless america

[@surudog4929]

Thank god the Afghan and his family were taken care of. He will be safe in America with his family. Glad the soldier didn't forget the services of a man who put his and his family safety on the line.

[@gabos7892]

It's not where you're from, it's where you're at.

[@valeriexo8102]

Touching story, I wish they all had a happy ending

[@ELCipote]

Hope they finally have a safe home here

[@edgarmota1024]

That’s freaking awesome.

[@Jamison1888]

Mad respect a great story

[@jillrichards8260]

Excellent

[@georgearenojacildojr4746]

Thats a good friendship❤❤

[@facckeleins4053]

What a kind and nice soldier.

[@texastuna7298]

20 years of reunion !!!! In a blink of eye !!!!

[@marthamaytepuia6854]

I love this amazing story❤

[@barataapsii2466]

what a great story indeed

[@georgearenojacildojr4746]

Hes a hero

[@eliseozaragoza9636]

I was a civilian contractor in Afghanistan for 5 Yrs. And I still remember my first interpreter, I wish I knew where is at...

[@ikramghani4181]

Wonderful story,

[@catalinegreanu]

Respect💪👍

[@challyho2u244]

The lucky ones that got out safely

[@happinesshotel5375]

Blood sweat and tears

[@mausgrass243]

More respect 🙏

[@nouadhiboufishingforce8911]

GOD BLESS USA THANK YOU ITS ALWAYS A GREAT DECISION TO HELP THE GOOD GUYS

[@paulfarmer1605]

Great story

[@brandondavenport6147]

Awesome 👍

[@45cab]

Respect

[@ddviper8813]

Thats one. Thousands more we screwed over and left there. We should be ashamed.

[@wanderout1027]

Wow beautiful ❤

[@Radioroom91]

Good stuff

[@garybenemerito1362]

I just watched a movie last week with the same story as this but I forgot the title of that movie.

[@vivekvaikkattil9958]

Missed him like his own brother

[@BelloBudo007]

I'd wager that he will love and appreciate the USA until the day he dies.

[@michaelwright1467]

Anybody who assist our soldiers like this on foreign soil deserves out respect. They should be given the chance to become Americans If they so desire. You have no idea whats its like to be under or in hostility on foreign soil without any assistance. I do.

[@broncobalboa]

and still his visa was denied...dont get me wrong, there is awesome people out there in the us, kind and caring. the shows isnt run by those people. im still baffled beyond comprehension how the population is letting the politicians and really most forms of government authority, get away with actively destroying their way of living.

[@michaelwright1467]

@@broncobalboa I it is proven he helped our troops. He will be let in eventually..

[@georgewin7243]

what a beautiful story! thank god he escaped!

[@lerock1310]

Saw this after watching The Covenant. What a coincidence!!

[@diannshoemaker6419]

The one thing an Afghanistan refugee said, stuck with me. She said..."it's so green.. and clean." That was a visual that stuck with me...YES WE ARE. To American soldiers, Afghanistan was a barren, lunar landscape, in an alternate universe. TO HER, America was a green park, and a civilization alien, but good. All that we take for granted, every single day.

[@yasmiletmoyacandelaria9388]

Wow xo!!

[@richardbob1665]

Hi how are you doing dear

[@like.u]

Please have more updated news about Hidayat.

[@davidwells2515]

Risking your life to help US soldiers should qualify you for citizenship. Instead of letting the Taliban or whoever terrorize the people and their families of those who helped us

[@paulandrew4820]

Fuck Yeah... Luv this!

[@CGFIELDS]

Happy 4th of July 2023 🇺🇸🎆

[@nasasadventure6469]

His identity shouldn’t have been revealed for the safety of him as a former interpreter for the US army.

[@nedthumberland]

Many of those interpreters were left behind in betrayal. Why don't you guys find them and interview them?

[@squidthunder]

Was in any way an inspiration to Guy Ritchie’s latest film?

[@zk5598]

Went from firefights out in that desert to enjoy that us freedom

[@hamsesaeeed1564]

I surprised the photo of the son

[@steveschmitt6933]

good news

[@rice78692]

Wow

[@mariecabaneshucamis]

❤ i wish we would see each other by the heart and not by status nor color nor race😢

[@CriticalPoliticalThinking]

These are the only things that should cross our borders

[@nanakonadu-]

WOW

[@Dep1369]

What a nice story was not a big fan of America after the war but this is making me change my opinion

[@MaryAnnMsbl34]

CBS Afghan translator brought to US to live w soldiers family.

[@mufuliramark]

that was a right emotional reunion ??????????

[@zakariyemohamudabdi962]

I think this dudes was Acted for film that called KANDAHAR

[@jordans7271]

Bring our interpretors home ! Give them citizenship!

[@davis_8082]

4:00 this guy knew there would be cameras around so he dressed in a suit. Man, if yall dont keep this man we take him here in Germany !!!

[@al6pndr]

"Withdrawal?" Full Blown "Retreat" leaving arms & "intel" for the enemy more like it.

[@lakanron640]

It looked like they wanted to cry when they reunited, but the camera and their pride, prevented that from happening.

[@merrylmarsh9037]

❤️👍

[@markuskalmi2745]

now that US pulled out, did that afghan got executed by taliban due to his connection with US personel?

[@omar78966]

"interpreter" lmaooo please