Springfield, Ill. – On Thursday, Nov. 12, the Lafore Lock VFW Post 755 will host a special screening of the documentary FOB Ghazni: The Day the Enemy Breached the Wire. The film revisits the August 28, 2013 attack on an Afghan forward operating base where Illinois National Guard soldiers and Polish forces defended against a determined Taliban assault.
Veterans share first‑hand memories
Command Sgt. Maj. (ret.) Lester Edwards of Petersburg, who served five deployments, opened the event with a vivid recollection of the day. “We train for these events. We plan for these events,” Edwards said, noting that the training he and his comrades received was put to the test when insurgents stormed the base.
Edwards described how he and a Polish general, who was wounded by shrapnel near his shoulder, engaged three suicide‑vest‑wearing insurgents one by one. “All of them, we discovered later, had suicide vests on,” he recalled. “And they all came on the base with the intent of doing as much damage to forces as possible.”
Impact on soldiers and families
Capt. (ret.) Tristan Myers of Effingham, who served alongside Edwards, reflected on the emotional toll. “The look I saw in Sgt. Maj. Edwards’ eyes that day was a look I’d never seen before,” Myers said. “It’s a look I hope and pray I will never have to see again.”
Edwards noted that the intense combat experience reshaped his worldview. “I look at the world a lot differently now,” he said. “I look at it with a softer eye. I look at it with a kinder eye than I had previously.”
Community support and remembrance
The screening is part of a broader effort to honor the service of Illinois Guard members and their international partners. Local veterans’ groups, the VFW post, and community leaders have partnered to bring the documentary to Springfield residents, offering a chance to learn about the sacrifices made overseas.
Following the film, a panel of veterans and military historians will field questions from the audience. Attendees are encouraged to share their own stories of service and to thank the men and women who protect our freedoms.
How to attend
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Lafore Lock VFW Post 755, located at 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield. Admission is free, and seating is limited, so early arrival is recommended.
For more information, contact the VFW post at (555) 123‑4567 or visit their website.
Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.
