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Sacrifice

"Never was so much owed by so many to so few"

-Winston Churchill

Teacher appreciation week had a different feel this year and got me reminiscing about all the wonderful teachers I had growing up in Stoughton- first at the Gibbons, then Junior High School (as it was known then) and finally Stoughton High School (class of 1996). There are too many teachers to name who played an important role in my life and I recall many of the lessons learned- especially now in my first year as Principal.

With Memorial Day approaching, I have been thinking a lot about my ninth grade science teacher, Paul Monti. Paul was a fantastic teacher. He had great enthusiasm for his subject, demanded a lot from his students and had a quick wit. I fondly remember Paul taking us out on the Stoughton High School football field, dimming all the surrounding lights, and setting

telescopes up to observe the nighttime sky.

Paul’s son Jared and I were close in age. At the conclusion of his high school career, instead of going straight to college, Jared enlisted in the Army. From there, he established himself as a leader within the legendary 10th Mountain Division. SFC. Monti’s unit was sent to Afghanistan in 2006 with the task of providing reconnaissance and disrupting enemy movement in the Gremen Valley of Afghanistan, near the border of Pakistan. On June 21, SFC. Monti’s patrol came under heavy enemy fire after being re-supplied by a helicopter very high up in the mountains. The following citation from SFC Monti’s Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to SFC Monti by President Obama in 2009 details the battle:

Staff Sergeant Jared C. Monti distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, on June 21, 2006.

While Staff Sergeant Monti was leading a mission aimed at gathering intelligence and directing fire against the enemy, his 16-man patrol was attacked by as many as 50 enemy fighters. On the verge of being overrun, Staff Sergeant Monti quickly directed his men to set up a defensive position behind a rock formation. He then called for indirect fire support, accurately targeting the rounds upon the enemy who had closed to within 50 meters of his position. While still directing fire, Staff Sergeant Monti personally engaged the enemy with his rifle and a grenade, successfully disrupting an attempt to flank his patrol. Staff Sergeant Monti then realized that one of his Soldiers was lying wounded in the open ground between the advancing enemy and the patrol’s position.

With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Monti twice attempted to move from behind the cover of the rocks into the face of relentless enemy fire to rescue his fallen comrade. Determined not to leave his Soldier, Staff Sergeant Monti made a third attempt to cross open terrain through intense enemy fire. On this final attempt, he was mortally wounded, sacrificing his own life in an effort to save his fellow Soldier.

Staff Sergeant Monti’s selfless acts of heroism inspired his patrol to fight off the larger enemy force. Staff Sergeant Monti’s immeasurable courage and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and the United States Army.

Sergeant First Class Monti was certainly a warrior but is most remembered for his kind heart. One story I have heard Paul tell about his son centers on a young family he befriended while stationed at Fort Bragg. SFC. Monti learned this family did not have much furniture or a kitchen table. Without getting approval from his roommates, SFC. Monti simply gave the kitchen table and furniture from his apartment to the young family. When asked by his incredulous roommates why he would do this, SFC. Monti simply explained the young family needed it more than he did.

I have listened to Paul tell the story of his son’s life on many occasions. When asked why his son would lay down his life for one of his soldiers, Paul has replied, “It was the right thing to do. That is how Jared led his life.” On this Memorial Day we honor all soldiers that made this choice on our behalf. For more on SFC Monti’s life, visit:

https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/monti/narrative.html

https://www.wideopencountry.com/father-fallen-soldier-inspired-lee-brices-first-hit/

https://sfcjaredcmonti.org/