Woodworking in a war zone

• Award

Submitted Photo Spc. Joshua Casper is presented the Warrior of the Week award from Col. Tommy Mize, director of operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

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KABUL, Afghanistan — A Brewster native serving at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, has been honored as Warrior of the Week for making life a little easier for citizen soldiers like him who are serving in the war zone.

Specialist Joshua Casper was deployed to Afghanistan last June. He is assigned to the Self-Help Shop of the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Base Support Group, at Camp Eggers, where he aids in construction projects and builds items on request. Recently, he completed construction of a shadow box to house an antique rifle for outgoing NTM-A (NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan) Chief of Staff Col. Joseph Buche.

“Casper was recognized for his initiative, self-discipline and motivation in performing his duties in minor construction projects in support of base operations, designing and providing assistance or constructing small projects, managing the self-help tools and materials, and performing other repairs as necessary in support of the Camp Eggers Base Support Group, and their support to NTM-A,” according to a Task Force Rushmore news release.

In the last six months, Casper has constructed shelves and stands for soldiers, framed and insulated the Afghan National Break area and an inspection cell used by female inspectors and worked on the volunteer fire station, among other projects.

“There is quite a bit I learned from books and experimenting, however a good portion of what I have learned came from my dad and grandfather,” Casper said via e-mail on Monday.

He looks for ideas on the Internet and seeks advice on projects as needed.

“I am always looking for new ways to do things, as well as easier ways,” Casper said.

Crafting projects that help fellow soldiers is a rewarding job for Casper, who has served in the National Guard for the past decade.

“I think the biggest thing is that it gives everyone the space that they need, whether it is for an office, Connex, or for their rooms,” he said. “It makes an impact on the day-to-day missions.

“It’s a great job to have. Every job is important but having one that you know helps in a small way just makes it even better,” he added. “It gets difficult at times, but you just have to make it through the day and know that the next is just going to be better. In that you are one day closer to being home and the troubles you had the day before are behind you.”

Casper is serving in Afghanistan as a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard. He joined the Guards in Minnesota as a loader on the M1A1 Abram, and later transferred to South Dakota.

When his current stint is completed in Afghanistan, Casper will return to wife Kay and daughters Sophia and Amelia at their home in Volga, S.D.

“It is my hope and plan to some day — after meeting the requirements to become a Warrant Officer in the Guards — retire from the Military,” Casper said.

Meanwhile, he’s moved on to his next special project at Camp Eggers — a shadow box to display a ceremonial sword, which will be given to Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, NTM-A commander.

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