Pfarrer gives the reader a detailed history lesson and a look at the rise of Osama bin Laden and his creation of Al Qaeda on May 17, 1988. He reveals the reasons Bin Laden masterminded the plans to attack the United States by using airliners as weapons to bring down the Twin Towers, attack the Pentagon and bring terror to America.

The book also gives insights into the missed opportunities to avoid the 9/11 attacks by the incompetency of the FBI and CIA leaders and others in top government positions as discussed in the chapter titled The Day the World Changed. Pfarrer deals in facts and names names. He also explodes two myths about 9/11: “the first is that the airline suicide attacks were an Al Qaeda innovation” and the second “that suicide hijacking could not have been prevented, because no one perceived that such a threat existed.”

In the chapter, What Came After, Pfarrer explains how the politicians used the mission as a moment for bragging rights and not only put the SEALs and their families in jeopardy, but also ruined chances to use the data seized from the Bin Laden compound to help extinguish Al Qaeda. Since the SEALs work in secret, the question posed by the president when he met the SEAL Team Six members of Red Squadron, “So which one of you guys took out Osama?” drew an intelligent and respectful answer from their leader, Frank Leslie, ”We all did it, sir. It was all of us.”

 I recommend everyone read this book. It shows the character of heroes like the U.S. Navy SEALs and how they deal with an inept and incompetent government that needs an overhaul. Chuck Pfarrer wrote a great book that tells the entire truth.

As he says in the book, “The operators of Team Six are heroes, and their operational credentials allow them to speak freely to the men who lead them into battle.

“The price of their obedience is truth.”

Photo by Janice Semmel

Veteran Mark Hill and Tip Combs represented the Patriot Guard Riders at the PVCC weeklong Veterans Day celebration.

“We are basically a group of citizens,” says Tip Combs. “Most are military personnel veterans; some are not. We’re not political; we are not religious; however, we will do whatever is necessary to shield the families. That’s part of our mission statement. We adhere to there is no violence allowed, and none is tolerated.”

The Patriot Guard Riders arrive at the re-dedication of the Enduring Freedom Memorial.

The Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement reads as follows: “We don’t care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a “hawk” or a “dove.” It is not a requirement to be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your station in life is. You don’t even have to ride a motorcycle. All we ask is that you bring your heart and join us in showing respect for those who have served our country. We do many types of missions and have many opportunities for people to become involved. Come see us in action and we guarantee you’ll experience the same feelings that have brought us all together to honor our troops.”

After the re-dedication of the Enduring Freedom Memorial, the crowd joined hands and sang "Proud to be an American" and said a prayer.

Combs said as of Nov. 7, the national ranks of the PGR numbered 251,000 members while Arizona boasts 3,500 registered members. He says Arizona members range in age from as young as 16 to those in their 80s. Some are veterans and some are not; some hold executive positions or are moms and some are bikers and some are not. Everyone pays their own way to get to and from missions, so PGR performs its missions out of love and respect with no monetary reimbursement or compensation.

“It has nothing to do with money,” says Combs. “You can’t pay for it with money.”

The Patriot Guard Riders gathered on the Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson parking lot for a 2011 Memorial Day mission.

The missions consist of two things: forming a circle, holding hands and singing Lee Greenwood’s song, “Proud to be an American” and also a prayer.

Mark Hill, a veteran of the Army 82nd Airborne Division and the Air Force Reserve Program at Luke Air Force Base, interjects, “(This) brings tears to many, many of the men that are holding hands that are 50, 60, 70 years old.”

The Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson parking lot overflows with Patriot Guard Riders on Memorial Day 2011.

Arizona is an active state for missions, says Combs. PGR does burial tributes, welcome home parties and send off parties. The PGR got a law passed in the Arizona legislature so it can perform an escort service and block traffic and run red lights in the course of carrying out its missions.

Patriot Guard Riders head north on Cave Creek Road toward the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

 ”If we are informed by the family and invited, we will stand in a line at the airport,” says Hill. As the soldiers come into the airport common area, we stand with flags draped on either side of where they walk, and they walk between the flags. Everyone gets excited and claps for the soldiers. “It’s a far cry from what the people of the Vietnam era were treated to.”

Patriot Guard Riders head out on their Memorial Day 2011 mission.

Hill recommends an independent YouTube video done by the National Rifle Association about PGR to understand what PGR does and why. The YouTube is “NRA Life of Duty – Patriot Profile: Patriot Guard Riders.”

“It’s just people,” says Combs. “It’s all about honor and respect. Period. That’s pretty much our story.”

Photos by Janice Semmel

The U.S. Army came to PVCC to celebrate the weeklong Veterans Day event.

The club set up games for individuals on campus to play and earn a raffle ticket. At the end of the week, lucky winners received prizes at a drawing.

The PVCC Veterans Association provided games for the weeklong Veterans Day celebration.

Student veterans got to talk to club members about their military service, and club members invited them to participate in club meetings.

Diana Shelnutt, PVCC student veteran and Veterans Association vice president, prepares for the kickoff of a weeklong Veterans Day celebration.

Phi Theta Kappa sold variegated red, white and blue “Support Our Troops” wristbands for $1 to raise money for the club.

Phi Theta Kappa sold "Support Our Troops" wristbands every day of the Veterans Day celebration.

The Native American Student Association presented photos, information and videos of the accomplishments of Native Americans in the military every day of the celebration.

NASA club members Courtney Etsitty and Ryan Kamper share information about the military role of Native Americans.

 Courtney Etsitty, PVCC student, Marine veteran, NASA secretary and Veterans Association member, brought the idea to NASA and adviser Lola Quiroz to collaborate with the Veterans Association during the weeklong celebration.

On the last day of the Veterans Day celebration, NASA's display honored the Marine Corps and the Navajo code talkers.

 ”Courtney is the NASA secretary,” said Ryan Kamper, NASA vice president. “She had the idea to collaborate and show them we’re still here, and we did help. We used our language to help.”

PVCC student Josh Naboure wears a portion of the 60 pound bomb suit.

 The U.S. Air Force from Luke Air Force Base brought in military gear, a bomb suit and their $150,000 Explosive Ordinance Disposal robot. Students got to try on and experience the feeling of wearing the 60 pound bomb suit.

Luke Air Force Base brought its $150,000 Explosive Ordinance Disposal robot to demonstrate.

On Thursday, Nov. 10, the week wrapped up with a traditional cake cutting ceremony as the Marine Corps celebrated its 236th birthday.

On Nov. 10, the Marine Corps' 236th birthday, the week wrapped up with a traditional Marine Corps cake cutting ceremony.

 Photos by Janice Semmel

Oct. 29, 2011 marks the rededication of the "Enduring Freedom Memorial" at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.

On a gorgeous Arizona fall day, Gold Star Families, active duty military, veterans, bikers, dignitaries and military supporters gathered at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 to rededicate the “Enduring Freedom Memorial” and to honor Arizona’s heroes.

Members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association pose in front of the "Enduring Freedom Memorial."

Even though the crowd numbered only a few hundred in comparison to the standing-room-only crowd that packed the plaza for the dedication of the memorial, everyone showed heartfelt respect for Arizona’s fallen heroes and their families.

People gather around the "Enduring Freedom Memorial" prior to the rededication ceremony.

Terri Schall, Gold Star Mother, opened the program and said, “It’s good to have this place to come and honor our dead.” 

She introduced the master of ceremonies, retired Arizona Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Gregg Maxon. He asked, how does Arizona honor these men and women, and he answered, by rededicating and adding names to the memorial each year until they are all home and accounted for.

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Vern West led the crowd in singing “God Bless America” as the Parade of Colors entered the area, and the Joint Service Color Guard posted the colors on stage. Jessica Thomas, Gold Star Sister, sang the national anthem, retired U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Radke led the Pledge of Allegiance and Arizona Army National Guard Chaplain Capt. Andrew Lee gave the invocation.

Retired U.S. Army Col. and director of Arizona Dept. of Veterans’ Services Joey Strickland spoke of the memorial and the 182 names of Arizona fallen engraved on it.

Retired U.S. Army Col. and director of Arizona Dept. of Veterans' Services Joey Strickland spoke to the crowd.

He said, “Freedom does indeed come at a high cost.” But he points out that it’s been that way since 1776. Stickland said freedom demands life’s blood and sometime takes the heart’s blood of mothers, fathers and friends. Everyday the pain is still there, and it never goes away.

This memorial is fitting to remember them, says Stickland. Long after all those attending today are gone, others will come to read the names on the memorial, and he says, “In a sense, your loved one will live forever.”

 Robert Martens, a Gold Star Father, shared his thoughts and his son Nathan‘s life.

Gold Star Father Robert Martens speaks about his son, Nathan, and says, "All these names in granite have a life too."

He said, “Ten years ago, we sent forces to Afghanistan, and nine years ago, we went to Iraq. Over 9 million have been deployed and all are changed. Over 6,300 gave their lives for you and me. My son, Nathan, is one of the 182 names on the memorial. Behind each of the numbers is a name, a face and a family that loved them.These wars and sacrifices continue as we meet here today. The cost of war is not just numbers; it is lives.”

Martens told of his son’s life and how he always “strived to be the best he could be. He made me proud and his mother smile,” he said.

“All these names in granite have a life too,” Martens said. Naval officers’ words, “We regret to inform you…,” changed his life. “I hope my words have changed your life today,” he said.

Marine veteran and “Enduring Freedom Memorial” artist Ross Morgan said that he’s an artist and this memorial was meant to be. He explained that to honor everyone, the memorial would be the size of a battalion, so he used a Native American foot soldier and a field cross in the memorial. Because Native Americans have the highest per capita of all who serve and because he is a former Marine, he chose Neil Price, a half Navajo and half Hopi Marine veteran of the Iraq war. The memorial shows a figure dressed for combat, saluting the flag and a field cross, which signifies a fallen comrade. These symbols are all very significant, he says.

Marine veterans and "Enduring Freedom Memorial" artist Ross Morgan explains the symbolism of the memorial.

He concludes by saying he’s grateful the pendulum has swung the other way and soldiers are no longer blamed for the decisions of politicians. “God bless them and God bless America,” he said.

Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sandra Harris sang “I’m Already There,” which brought tears to many people’s eyes. She said, “God bless those that cannot be here. We know they’re with You.”

Gold Star Family members read the names of each military branch hero engraved on the memorial while representatives of the branch placed tiny flags on a board in remembrance of them. After the retiring of the colors and the benediction, the Joint Services Color Guard led everyone to the memorial.

Gold Star Family members read the names engraved on the memorial.

A 21-gun salute followed by taps played by West preceded final remarks and the raising of the flag from half-staff on the memorial by retired U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Radke and U.S. Air Force veteran Scott Thomas.

A 21-gun salute preceded taps and closing remarks.

Everyone sang an emotional “Proud to be an American” as they held hands, and Schall encouraged families and friends to add memorabilia of their fallen loved ones to the time capsule.

The crowd watches as service representatives raise the flag from half-staff on the memorial.

“When the last Arizonan comes home,” said Schall, “the time capsule will be sealed.” 

Photos by Janice Semmel

The book reads like a fiction thriller, but becomes so much more compelling when one realizes it really happened. Warrick follows the life of Humam Khalil al-Balawi, a Jordanian pediatrician and also known as ”Abu Dujana al-Khorasani, cyberwarrior for Islam and scourge of the Americans and their Arab lackey around the world.” Balawi’s life changes after an intense interrogation by Jordan’s Mukhabarat intelligence service, and thus starts his exploits as a Jordanian double agent who eventually infiltrates the al-Qaeda network in Pakistan and finally ends his life and nine others’ lives in Khost,  Afghanistan on Dec. 30, 2009.

Warrick tells the story and follows all of the players. He lists the cast of characters at the beginning of the book and spends time throughout the book telling about all of them. The reader gains insights into every detail that leads up to the tragedy. Warrick goes as far as to painstakingly describing the construction of the thirty-pound vest worn by Balawi as a suicide bomber.

He says al-Qaeda employed its “tailor” to assemble Balawi’s vest. Made of sturdy cotton, usually from surplus military gear found at the bazaars, the vest contained heavy-duty straps to secure it to the suicide bomber’s body.  Balawi’s vest contained C4, a more powerful military explosive than the normal explosive used. The tailor covered the vest with industrial adhesive and added shrapnel made from metal bits of ball bearings, nails and scraps, and for this vest “shiny twisted pieces that would have been recognizable to any American who happened to be in the room: children’s jacks.”

Many of the seasoned operatives involved in the tragedy, some who lost their lives, voiced their objections to the speed of the plan to meet with this new informant, and they questioned the events leading up to the meeting, but others at the CIA overruled their objections and went forward with the plan. Warrick documents all the findings of the investigation done after the tragedy and other opinions and information voiced by observers. 

The Epilogue also documents the discovery of bin Laden and his death. Warrick makes an extensive list of notes at the back of the book and explains how he got his sources and how he handled using information from anonymous sources.

The book shows what America is up against in the fight against terrorism. It also shows how sometime people’s need for authority and speed take precedence over listening to those with more experience. I recommend this outstanding book to anyone who truly wants to know what the fight against terrorism involves and how it affects those who serve our country and their loved ones.

Photo by Janice Semmel

Junger takes readers to the Korengal Valley in eastern Afghanistan to experience the daily lives of Brendan O’Byrne and the men of the Second Platoon as they serve in this remote area. He gives a history of the people, who live there, and describes the terrain in which soldiers fight the enemy. He describes the earlier fight between Navy SEALs and the Taliban in Abas Ghar, and writes, “For both sides, the battle for the Korengal developed a logic of its own that sucked in more and more resources and lives until neither side could afford to walk away.”

Soldiers dealt with the hardships of hundred degree heat in the summer, tarantulas in their living space and wore flea collars on their ankles to help protect them from a flea infestation. Wild animals including wolves, mountain lions and monkeys also inhabited the areas around the men’s living quarters.

Junger explains how men packed their gear and prepared for an operation. He describes how Second Platoon’s medic Juan Restrepo took care of the men in the platoon not only when they were hurt or sick, but also when they suffered from depression. In an attack as the platoon returned from a village, the enemy wounded Restrepo and even though the MEDEVAC got him to an aid station, he died a few hours later. Junger writes, “For a long time I hated God,” O’Byrne told me. “Second Platoon fought like animals after that.”

This book covers the battles the platoon encounters, an incident with an improvised explosive device, the personal problems that the men experience while deployed, the camaraderie of the diverse group and the way soldiers handle their return from war and their decision to stay a part of or leave the military. It documents the toll war takes on the soldiers that fight the battles and how they deal with being away from home and the comforts of home for months or more at a time.

Junger writes, “Civilians balk at recognizing that one of the most traumatic things about combat is having to give it up.”

“War” shows civilians what men learn and endure during their deployments that make them want to continue going back for more. Junger does an excellent job of putting the reader in the soldiers shoes and giving them a taste of what combat is really about.

Photo by Janice Semmel

Howard E. Wasdin tells his unique story in SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper.

Wasdin recounts the methods he used as a child to numb his mind from the pain when he received beatings from Leon, his adoptive dad, and the precision he used to complete tasks to avoid beatings. Later during BUD/S  (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training) training, Hell Week and his time as a SEAL, Wasdin used these methods to help him to endure the vigorous training and dangerous assignments.

“BUD/S prepares us to believe we can accomplish the mission – and to never surrender,” writes Wasdin. “No SEAL has ever been held prisoner of war.”

Readers follow Wasdin through his BUD/S training and through the infamous Hell Week, which Wasdin describes as “the ultimate in train the best, discard the rest.” He recounts in grim detail the rigors each man faces as he trains to become an elite Navy SEAL and his disbelief as the bell rings and another man quits. He leaves nothing out of his descriptions, and it’s easy to see why these men become the best. The reader gets the excitement of joining the training exercises while suffering none of the pain and suffering that goes into it. 

As a member of SEAL Team Two, Wasdin writes, “I started to hear whisperings about a Top Secret SEAL Team Six.” He recounts historical stories about SEAL Teams and their members and assignments throughout the book. He also takes the readers on his assignments with SEAL Team Two and Six. 

Wasdin also conveys his feelings of how politics interfered with completing assignments successfully and endangering lives. He writes, “Before the Battle of Mogadishu, the Clinton administration’s support for our troops had sagged like a sack of turds…. The Clinton camp was more interested in maintaining political points than keeping some of America’s finest troops alive.”

Wasdin tells his story in a way so honest and compelling that it’s hard to put the book down. I would recommend this great book to anyone curious about the elite Navy SEALs. 

“The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, The Making of a Navy SEAL” follows Greitens’ journey. He talks about his childhood in Missouri, where he grew up reading adventure books, worried about getting into college and fulfilled his parents’ desire for him to be a good person while not necessarily obtaining excellent grades.

Greitens experienced disappointment with college, but he found avenues of adventure as he continued his college career.  He travelled to different parts of the world where he participated in humanitarian ventures. He shares his serious and lighthearted experiences and thoughts with the reader as they unfold.

His first excursion to China brought him new friends, new activities and a scrape with police. undeterred by this adventure, he found ways to travel to other countries like Bosnia, Rwanda and Bolivia. Along the way, he photographed the people and talked to them about their lives and the hardships that accompanied them. Questions arose during his travels, and he wondered why more wasn’t done to help these people. 

In Bolivia, Jason and Caroline, a married, American couple, run a home for the street children, who become abandoned or leave abusive homes. The couple makes an impression on Greitens because they give up everything to help the children and still remain happy in what they do.

While in college, Greitens remembered stories his grandfather told him about his days in boxing. Greitens hung out at a local gym and found a trainer, Earl Blair, to whip him into shape and teach him other valuable life lessons. Greitens writes, “Earl explained that paying for something made a man appreciate it more.”

Greitens applied for and won a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University in England. During his time there, he worked at Oxford on his dissertation, boxed on their boxing team and still made time to travel and take photographs while doing humanitarian work all over the world.

At the end of Greitens’ time at Oxford, he received an offer to stay on and teach at Oxford. A consulting firm offered him a lucrative position. Greitens decided to apply to become a Navy SEAL because of the places he travelled and the people he talked to who needed protection.

Greitens painstakingly documents his training as a Navy SEAL and his service afterward. When he returned home, he still wanted to exercise the humanitarian discipline he learned over the years.

By remembering Jason and Caroline and Earl Blair, Greitens said, “I had learned that there came a point in their lives when they simply had to listen to their hearts and trust that if they did the right thing, all would work out in the end.”

The right thing became The Mission Continues. Greitens established the non-profit, veterans’ organization to volunteer and offer new challenges to wounded and disabled veterans. He proves that being a humanitarian and a warrior go hand-in-hand to make the world a better place for everyone.

I recommend this book as an absolute must read. If everyone followed Eric Greitens’ way of life, the world would be a much safer and happier place to live.

Photo by Janice Semmel

Larry Minear writes "Through Veterans' Eyes: The Iraq and Afghanistan Experience."

The author makes a point of letting the veterans tell their own story with limited commentary by him. He documents both positive and negative opinions on veterans’ experiences and their feelings toward both wars. The book gives the public an opportunity to learn what veterans experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Minear describes present-day veterans as those men and women who comprise the “all-volunteer military.” They serve deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq numerous times and also consist of “citizen-soldiers” from the National Guard and Reserves.

He covers controversial subjects throughout the book and uses pro and con examples to illustrate his points. Minear writes, “The rules of engagement themselves evolved overtime and were subject to varied interpretations.” One commander told his troops to do whatever they needed to do to get home alive while other commanders disagreed and disciplined troops in the same circumstances.

These wars also bring an additional challenge since it becomes difficult to distinguish civilians from the enemy. The enemy used women and children to try to stop convoys with disastrous outcomes for the civilians and horrible memories for the military personnel.

Veterans talk about the instant access they have to information and the communication with their families in this world of advanced technology. They give their opinions on media coverage and complain about all of the negative reporting.

Minear also focuses on the aftermath of returning veterans. The injuries sustained, the cases of post-tramatic stress disorder and ways the military and the community learn from those returning from combat and the implementation of programs to help veterans with their transition from combat to civilian life. The book sheds light on what happens to military personnel throughout their journey, so that civilians get a look at what our voluntary military endures.

Through this book, Minear enlightens all those who never served in the military and possibly makes this wish come true. “The heartfelt wish expressed by Jonathan McMaster, a Marine injured in Iraq in 2004, deserves pondering. ‘I wish that civilians and policymakers understood, at an emotional level, the tremendous toll and cost of war on those who actually experience it.’”

Photo by Janice Semmel

Clint Van Winkle writes “Soft Spots,” his story of combat and his battle with PTSD.

Clint Van Winkle experienced war first-hand when he deployed to Iraq in 2003. In his memoir, “Soft Spots,” he records the flashbacks from battle, the loss of friends and the memories that haunt him as he tries to assimilate back into civilian life after his service as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.