Colonel Tom Stewart of the Massachusetts National Guard spoke at our Monday meeting. Colonel Stewart is past commander of the 182nd Infantry Regiment 1st Battalion. He spoke of his 2011-2012 Deployment to Afghanistan. The Colonel gave us a brief background on the Colonial Regiment which was established in 1636. The shot heard ‘Round the World’ on April 19, 1775 was that of the Colonial Regiment. To date, the regiment has participated in nine wars. Colonel Stewart grew up in Walpole, MA and currently lives in Sturbridge. He described the four missions of the182nd Infantry Regiment including helping the Afghans work to improve their health infrastructure. Colonel Stewart and his men worked hard to build relationships of trust with the Afghans. He showed many slides including the unbelievable poverty and poor living conditions. The soldiers gave the Afghans some clothing for the men, women and children including boots to wear in the snow versus the flip-flops they wear all year long. He described the danger he and his men were in not knowing who they could trust. Each soldier was vigilant at being totally aware of his surroundings checking for snipers or bombs. He concluded that his regiment returned home without any casualties, however, there were five suicides while everyone was trying to acclimate to the mainstream of life at home. A very enlightening and moving presentation. All members agreed that we have so much to be thankful for including our brave and honorable men and women of the armed forces risking their lives to keep us safe.


