Lesson 4:  “The Long War”


The Global War on Terror: How One Day Began America’s Longest War

Minnesota Social Studies Standards
History Standard:  “The end of the Cold War, shifting geopolitical dynamics, the intensification of the global economy, and rapidly changing technologies have given renewed urgency to debates about the United States’ identity, values and role in the world. (The United States in a New Global Age)”

History Standard:  “Globalization, the spread of capitalism and the end of the Cold War have shaped a contemporary world still characterized by rapid technological change, dramatic increases in global population and economic growth coupled with persistent economic and social disparities and cultural conflict. (The New Global Era: 1989- Present)”

Geography Standard:   “Processes of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of the earth’s surface.” 

Learning Objective
In this lesson, students will learn how Minnesotans and their families were challenged by multiple deployments, altered career paths and the physical and emotional toll of combat and war.

Introduction/Warm-up 
Assign students to read one page of the transcript of the Patricia Baker interview.
Patricia Baker interview

Ask students:  How did the combat tour in Iraq change Patricia Baker?  What were the negative things that resulted from her experience?  What might have been some more positive things that resulted?

Teacher instruction
Today you will hear from

  • Chief Master Sergeant Jeffrey Rosenthal, a member of the 133rd Airlift Wing of Minnesota National Guard

  • Lt. Colonel Patricia Baker, who was deployed multiple times to Iraq

  • David Nguyen, who enlisted in the United States Army on September 10, 2001.

  • Jill Stephenson, the mother of Ben Kopp, a soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan

  • Eric Kerska, who was in the United States Army during the 1st Gulf War in 1991; he later joined the MN National Guard and had two additional deployments to Iraq.  He is the Fire Chief for the city of Rochester.

This PPT explains who is being interviewed. 

Rosenthal
Video
5:55 - 7:17 - He explains how the attacks on 9/11 changed his life and career.

Kerska

  • Play the portion as he describes his experiences in the FIRST Gulf War in 1991:
    https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/382447397/fb359425ca Need to make public - 10:23 - 11:21

    • You could ask students how his experiences in 1991 were different from the experiences of later soldiers.

  • Play the portion as he describes his SECOND deployment to Iraq after 9/11. He describes how his experience was different than it was in 1991. Play 13:13 - 17:16

  • Kerska’s unit was supposed to come home in March 2007, but were “extended” an additional four months.  Listen to his description of the extension:  19:10 - 20:24

  • Kerska returns for a THIRD time to Iraq:
    Play 22:29 - 23:47

  • Listen to Kerska describing their final departure from Iraq in 2011: Play :43 - 1:58

  • https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/382452105/a7706f624e Need to make public- Listen to Kerska describe the impact his military service had on his wife, Tina, his kids and himself.
    Play 8:15 - 9:43

Baker
https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/382055496/a1ea7b3e7a Need to make public

  • Listen to Baker describe her experience during the “build-up” phase, when U.S. forces were preparing in Kuwait for battle. 26:25 - 27:53

  • Listen to Baker discuss how the pressure and stress changed as her team moved from the “build-up” phase to the combat phase. 31:20 - 36:53

David Nguyen
A Minnesotan who enlisted in the United States Army on September 10, 2001! He was in both Afghanistan and Iraq.  (Show maps on PPT.  He was in Fallujah, Iraq.)

Jill Stephenson

  • Learn about her son, Ben Kopp, and his reasons for joining the military https://vimeo.com/twelveplus/review/421668284/100619dc90  Need to make public Play: 0:08 - 2:45, 5:45 - 9:23

  • Play 9:26 - 10:35  - Discusses his signing up for the Army and becoming a Ranger

  • Play 10:35 - 14:30 - Discusses his three deployments - two to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.  Show students map on PPT that shows Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

  • Lesson 5 provides more description of Ben Kopp’s service to his country.

Wrap-Up or Optional homework assignment
(NOTE: This wrap-up alerts students to the fate of Ben Kopp.) 

Have students read the tribute to Ben Kopp written by a Wall Street Journal reporter.

You could ask students to reflect upon how Ben Kopp exemplified service to others in his short life.