‘I’ll Never Forget You’: Veterans Push to Get Afghan Partners in War to the U.S.

Through WhatsApp and Facebook messages, Afghans who served as interpreters are asking former colleagues in America to get them out as the Taliban close in.

EDGEWATER, Md. — In a grainy video chat, Zak shared the latest from his embattled province in Afghanistan, an update as grim as it was commonplace. “The Taliban left a note at my house last night. They said, ‘Surrender tonight or we will kill you,’” he recounted in a tone more resigned than terrified. Maj. Thomas Schueman shifted in his chair in a cafe 7,000 miles away as Zak described the spiraling violence in the country where they had served together as a platoon commander and his invaluable interpreter. The men fought in the 2010 battle for Sangin, one of the deadliest campaigns of the 20-year Afghan war, and later worked in Kabul advising the Army. “It was very dangerous,” said Zak, who requested that he be identified by only his nickname because he feared for his safety. “But, you know, America came to help us and worked side by side with us for building our country and bring peace and democracy. You never know what life is going to bring you.”