Throughout my teaching career, I have taught courses on American foreign policy and military history, such as World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Typically, I try to help students understand the larger political and strategic context of modern American wars.  

 

However, I always drill down to the experience of the American soldier. I think it is important for our students to understand what the men and women who serve our country must endure and overcome in wartime.  Some of this hits close to home; my great uncle, after whom I am named, fought in the Battle of Bulge under General George S. Patton. My father-in-law served as a military surgeon in Vietnam and cared for men during the Tet Offensive.  I have deep respect and admiration for those who are called to duty -- whether voluntarily or, as in the case of Vietnam, through the draft. 

 

Currently, I am reading The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor.  Although I have studied military history since my graduate school days at Vanderbilt twenty years ago, this book has furthered my understanding and appreciation of the sacrifice and dedication of our Armed Forces. Written by the journalist Jake Trapper, the book explores the history of a remote military outpost in eastern Afghanistan. Named after an officer who was killed in that area of operations, Combat Outpost Keating was attacked by 400 insurgents in 2009. Fifty-three American servicemen confronted insurgent forces that broke through the perimeter of the outpost in a battle that lasted for 12 hours. Eight Americans were killed and 27 were wounded.

 

Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage and actions on that fateful day. He moved under fire to rally his troops, and Afghan troops counterattacked. After being seriously wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade, he directed air support to protect the troops and continued to provide covering fire to save other men in the unit.  Click here.

 

What is most engaging about the book is the author's interest in exploring what led to the battle.  This remote outpost was placed at the base of three huge mountains -- a position that was nearly impossible to defend.  From 2006 until this attack in 2009, repeated rotations of units in and out of the base noted the terrain and the inherent danger in the position.  Moreover, the road leading to the outpost was in terrible shape and could not easily accommodate resupply units.

 

For years, this base and the soldiers who served there faced very challenging situations.  Despite the obvious danger of armed insurgents who would lob mortars and shoot down on the position, the terrain itself was unreal: vipers, monkeys, leopards, lizards that were six feet long, and spiders the size of a human hand.  The living conditions were brutal: men would wear flea collars because the outpost was infested with fleas.  

 

Varying tactics were brought to bear by different units to work with the local villagers, many of whom were part of the insurgency.  One of the most effective commanders, Captain Robert Yllescas, was specifically targeted by the insurgents with an IED.  He died of his wounds.  The book brings home how soldiers are often at the mercy of larger strategic priorities of policymakers and top military officials. Soldiers are often placed in situations that make no sense and carry great risk. The soldiers, as described in this book, followed their orders and did the best they could under extreme conditions.  

 

The book also pays attention to the impact of war on families. Each chapter connects the events on the ground and the tragedies that unfold in this particular story to the wives, parents, and children of the servicemen who are affected forever by events thousands of miles away.  As we honor our veterans, I think it is important that we educate ourselves as to the realities of war.  As Thomas Jefferson noted, "An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people."

 

On behalf of the entire CA community, I want to thank these active military or military veterans and alumni who will be visiting the CA campus over the next few days to speak to students: Jack Jones ’53 (Army), Tom Chestor ’53 (Navy), former LS Principal Dr. Tom Fitzgerald (Navy), Colin Gumm ’94 (Army), current CA parent and Flight Commander with the Colorado Air National Guard Lt. Col. James Reeman, and current CA parent and Space and Missile Warning Officer in the Colorado Air National Guard Capt. Lindsay Reeman.