US veteran fighting fit at 59 in Afghan war
CAMP SALERNO, Afghanistan — Who says soldiering is a young man's game? Staff Sergeant Eric Ferguson joined the US army in 1973 and -- now approaching his 60th birthday -- he…
CAMP SALERNO, Afghanistan — Who says soldiering is a young man's game? Staff Sergeant Eric Ferguson joined the US army in 1973 and -- now approaching his 60th birthday -- he is still on active duty, leading distribution convoys through some of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan.Armed with an M4 machine gun, Ferguson supervises trucks as they inch their way across the eastern province of Khost delivering ammunition, rations and maintenance supplies to troops stationed in remote combat outposts.Roadside bombs are a constant threat. One exploded just ahead of his most recent convoy, causing a nerve-wracking four-hour wait as specialist route clearance teams arrived to find a safe way ahead.But for Ferguson, the life of a soldier is uniquely rewarding and entirely suitable for a man who will turn 60 on January 14."I enjoy the camaraderie and I love my soldiers," he told AFP. "They make you laugh at the things they say."They are mostly in their 20s and they are often surprised when they hear how old I am, but they soon realise I am just one of the guys."Ferguson, who shows few signs of his veteran status besides flecks of grey in his clipped moustache, goes to the gym every morning and also turns out for his platoon basketball team."Playing with younger guys, it wears you out. They don't give me a break, they're hard," he laughs. "I passed my medical no problem last month, and I'm blessed to be as fit and healthy as I am."The 39 men and three woman in his CLIP (combat logistics patrol) platoon gently tease him about his age, and have nicknamed him "Old Gravy Bones" -- which he has written on the door of his tiny office."I don't know, I guess it means I'm old and strong," he says with a shrug.Ferguson expected to stay in the army for just three years when he signed up 38 years ago, but found he came to like military life more and more.Then he served as a part-time reservist in the national guard for many years before re-joining full-time in 2008 and he will finally hang up his uniform in June."You have to
last modification 2011-07-07 09:30:07
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