war

ASU graduate to discuss experiences in the Afghan war

A firsthand look at the War on Terror will be offered by an ASU alumnus currently serving in Afghanistan on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. in 170 University Hall.

Specialist John Shirley, a 2006 ASU honors history graduate, will present Five Years in the Desert, a discussion about his experiences in the war-torn country.

According to Spc. Shirley, the Army has offered soldiers an opportunity to take extra time while on leave to speak to local schools about the war in Afghanistan.

“I would like to present my personal experience of the war for those who are interested in hearing what a deployed soldier’s life is like. I can tell you that leaving the United States makes one appreciate it even more,” he says.

Hubert van Tuyll, professor and chair of the Department of History, Anthropology, and Philosophy, says he didn’t want to miss the opportunity of having one of the department’s best students speak about the war from a personal view.

“John came here to get his degree. He did enroll in ROTC, but he was reactivated before finishing that program, which is why he is in Afghanistan as an enlisted man,” says Dr. van Tuyll.

Spc. Shirley enlisted in the Army for two years after the Sept. 11 attacks, leaving his job in technical support at Nextel Communications.

“My motivation in joining was to do the right thing. My country had been attacked, and I believed the United States must respond strongly. It seemed wrong to believe other Americans should be fighting if I was not at least willing to go,” he says.

He has established a website, www.johnRShirley.com, to chronicle his daily activities as he serves overseas.

The presentation is free. For more information, call the Department of History, Anthropology, and Philosophy at 706-737-1709.

December 2006
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