Soldier fights battle in Afghanistan with pens

TAMPA - When Senior Master Sgt. Rex Temple deployed to Afghanistan in April, he figured he'd be making a difference in the battle against the Taliban.

What he didn't figure is how.

His orders when he arrived were clear: train the Afghan army and do what he could to win the hearts and minds of the Afghans who, for decades, have been oppressed by the Taliban.

The easiest way to make friends and build trust with the Afghan children has always been with candy, until an 8-year-old Afghan boy approached Temple a few weeks ago.

It was a gesture that could have cost the boy his life.

"He's surrounded by the Taliban," Temple told FOX 13 by satellite phone from Afghanistan. "And you know, they threatened to cut off his head and parade around the village even if he just talked to the Americans."

The boy's message was simple. Thanks for the candy, but he wanted a pen.

He told Temple how the Taliban had destroyed their schools, and they had nothing— nothing to write on or with. Then he asked Temple what will happen to them when U.S. forces leave.

"So he took, took quite a chance talking to me and he was really my inspiration," Temple said.

So 8,000 miles away at his South Tampa home, his wife Liisa now packs box after box with school supplies for SMSgt. Temple. And when she's not packing she's reaching out for him.

"This is not part of his mission, this is something that he started doing on his own," his wife Liisa said with pride.

Now he's got a small army helping him on the home front. At a Tampa bowling alley last week, boys from Cub Scout Pack 21 sprung into action, filling two large boxes with school supplies and backpacks, destination: Afghanistan.

Senior Master Sgt. Temple's wife Liisa works with one of the scout's moms and they were more than willing to help. The cub scouts were just as excited.

"I just wanted to help other children be better and learn some stuff," said young Joshua Ridell.

"The Taliban, they don't have the schools, they don't know it's bad for the Taliban to rule," said Cub Scout Griffin Burns.

Temple said the supplies will go a long way, but he knows it's yet another battle that may have just begun.

"We're still determined to win this war," he said. "But, I think the American public just needs to be patient and keep supporting the American military."

He is maintaining a blog about his mission in Afghanistan with photos of various missions and more information about his school supply drive.

Editor's note: photos in story are courtesy: Senior Master Sgt Rex Temple.