A Marine born in Afghanistan shares his thoughts
September 9, 2021Ajmal Achekzai left Afghanistan with his family as a five-year-old only to return as a U.S. Marine nearly two decades later. He enlisted in the Marine Corps before the attacks on September 11, 2001, but knew that same day he was going back to his birthplace.
Ajmal Achekzai left Afghanistan with his family as a five-year-old only to return as a U.S. Marine nearly two decades later.
“I had chills, like humming.”
In an interview with CNN, the former Marine told them he felt “chills, like humming,” when he arrived in the country.
“My Motherland, I was born here, you know, I’m learning a lot you know every day something new about where my mom grew up, where my grandfather and [those] from my mom’s side grew up, everything.” Achekzai recalled in the interview.
His family chose to immigrate to the U.S in 1980. They were forced to leave due to rumors of Soviets searching for them during the early stages of the Soviet-Afghan war.
A normal life
Achekzai’s father was a university professor in Kabul, while his mother taught Pashto at a local high school. “We lived life, a normal life, comfortably.” said Achekzai.
He characterized his father by saying, “He wanted to make sure that every student had an open mind to different types of beliefs, religions.” Everything was fine, until one day the family got word that they were wanted.
He said, “One of my dad’s friends comes to him and tells him, ‘Hey, the Russians are looking for you and your wife.’” This rumor made the decision to leave appear timelier than ever.
When they first moved out of Afghanistan, the family went to Pakistan seeking asylum before reaching U.S. soil. “Oh it was a struggle to adapt to a different world,” Achekzai said of the transition.
He also stated that he was unhappy with where his life was going, and that joining the Marines helped him stay off that path. Achekzai ended up serving in the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
When he first enlisted, Achekzai found himself stationed in Darwin, Australia. During this time, he said that he entered into the chow hall one day, just as he would on any other.
Only, the date was September 11, 2001, and a TV hanging in the hall showed a billowing World Trade Center North Tower. Achekzai says that while he was there, surrounded by his fellow Marines, the second plane crashed into the South Tower.
