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Ep 119 | Mark Roland – Insider Attack!

November 25, 2024 By Thad Forester


Matthew Roland was killed-in-action in Afghanistan in August 2015 in an insider attack (aka “green on blue”) at an Afghan-led security checkpoint. Killed alongside him was teammate SSgt Forrest Sibley, both Air Force Combat Controllers attached to an Army Special Forces team.

Matthew’s father Mark, shares what happened, how Matthew responded instantly and what his and Forrest’s final moments were like. In addition, we talk about the notification process, grief, healing and the CCT community and support.

Matthew was awarded the Silver Star for his actions that day. You can read the citation here.

Also mentioned in this episode is Danny Sanchez, who was another CCT killed in a green on blue attack. His mother was a guest in episode 99.

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You can watch this interview with Mark Roland here: https://youtu.be/XLhUOs8_9JE

Copyright 2024 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: afghanistan, camp leatherneck, cct, combat control, comfort, gold star, green on blue, grief, healing, helmand province, insurgent, silver star

Ep 089 | Jennie Taylor – Gold Star Wife and Mother of 7

May 2, 2022 By Thad Forester

Jennie Taylor was taking a much needed break by spending the weekend with friends from college, therefore she wasn’t home when the “knock” came at her door.

In January of 2018, her husband, Major Brent Taylor left his position as Mayor of North Ogden, UT and deployed to Afghanistan with the US Army for what would have been a year-long deployment.  On November 3, 2018 Major Taylor was killed in action in a planned, insider attack by one of the Afghan commandos he was training. 

In the months and now years since Brent’s shocking death, Jennie has unexpectedly and frequently found herself in a position to speak out about the price of freedom, the value of community support, and the healing that can be found when moving forward with a conviction to find hope and happiness in spite of life’s heartache and pain.

You can read more about Major Brent Taylor below:

Military Times

https://www.majorbrenttaylor.com/

And watch Jennie’s Ted Talk here

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: army national guard, comfort, gold star family, grace, green on blue, grief, north ogden mayor

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