Afghanistan will never forget American sacrifices, general says

Amid the talk of troop levels and battlefield tactics, one of the Afghan generals who visited Southern California last week had another message: gratitude for American efforts to defeat the Taliban.

Twice during a news conference Saturday at Camp Pendleton, Major Gen. Nabi Jan Mullah Khil, deputy police chief in Helmand province, expressed his nation's appreciation to the American people.

"Their sons have shed their blood in our country in an effort to bring peace and stability," Khil said. "The people will never forget."

Khil's comments came just two days after the 57th Marine from Camp Pendleton was reported killed in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Vincent Bell, 28, of Detroit was killed Wednesday during a walking patrol in Helmand province. He was an artilleryman with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and had also served in Iraq.

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— Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: The remains of Staff Sgt. Vincent Bell arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Friday. Credit: U.S. Air Force