KABUL, Afghanistan — A soldier three months into a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan just received his first care package from his wife in Georgia, although it contained what some in his unit labeled as ‘odd’ reading material.
“We were all excited to open our care packages, when we saw Sgt. Leslie stop in his tracks,” said Pvt. Jerome Johnson. “He had this book in his hands. I couldn’t see the title, but I figured it must have upset him.”
According to members of his platoon, Sgt. Siegfried “Siggy” Leslie, a 13-year veteran of both the Army and his marriage, stood quietly as he examined the book’s title, seemingly deep in thought.
“My wife battles her weight often which is why I normally never worry about anything like this during my deployments,” he told reporters. “I love her for who she is.”
Some soldiers say they initially thought it was ‘The Five Love Languages’ book.
But then Johnson got a peak at the cover of ‘Surviving An Affair‘ by Willard F. Harley, Jr. and Jennifer Harley Chalmers, as Siggy continued standing there like a statue, a confused look on his face.
“I don’t know why my wife is sending me this book. What use could I have for it?” Leslie mused aloud.
Jerome replied instantly with the first thing that came to mind: “Hey Sarge, maybe its reading material for the rest of the guys in the unit here.”
Several of Leslie’s soldiers have commented that he is the only still married or non-single guy in his unit.
“We thought to preemptively call in the Chaplain to help console him,” said one soldier on condition of anonymity. “But then he went ahead and donated the book to the chapel library. Hopefully it gets into the hands of someone who really needs it.”
Leslie’s wife did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Shammer contributed reporting.
