Speaking a foreign language helps soldiers overseas

WASHINGTON - U.S. Army Capt. Brendan Tarpui was at a checkpoint in Afghanistan when one of the Afghan soldiers he was working with saw what he suspected was an improvised explosive device, a homemade bomb used to blow up patrols and civilians.

The soldiers quickly closed off the area and directed traffic away when a van began speeding toward them. They feared the driver could be a decoy or a suicide bomber.