Local Marine Talks of Life in Afghanistan

Written By: Danielle Small  |  Posted: Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

We've all seen the movies and read the articles about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's safe to say that a soldier's life in war is anything but easy. With 60lbs of equipment coupled with scathing temperatures in the Iraqi and Afghanistan deserts you would think that nine year Marine Corps employee, Steven Hanson, would feel he has a right to complain about what he has been through. But, instead he is stoic. "You've just got to sweat it out. There's nothing you can do and regardless what you do you're going to be hot anyways." But, in Afghanistan the heat isn't the only problem. Steve didn't see one paved road when he was there and would often encounter mile long piles of trash.
"That is why success is hard to measure in Afghanistan, because they are not willing to change. Maybe I am too Americanized, but I can't imagine not caring about the cosmetic aspects of my country. It's a pride thing and it makes a difference."

Before the Marines Steve Hanson was a forklift operator for the Whitehall plant of Ashley furniture. He was working the third shift and his body mass was reduced to the fragile weight of 119 lbs making it painfully clear that his health was deteriorating rapidly. His life was stagnant and he was at the highest level that he could go in his field. So, Steve Hanson started looking for direction.

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