University Union is partnering with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs to present a special cinemas event as a part of the D’Aniello Speaker Series on Friday, April 13, where Commander Mark Nutsch will speaking and participate in an audience Q&A following a screening of “12 Strong.” Nutsch, played by Chris Hemsworth, is the Green Beret commander who led his 12-man team on a 2001 covert mission to Afghanistan. The screening will take place at 5:30 p.m. in HBC Gifford Auditorium with doors open at 5 p.m.
Nutsch shares lessons learned in the now-declassified saga of a U.S. Special Forces team that overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to help achieve a historic military victory. His story is told in the movie “12 Strong” as well as New York Times best-seller “Horse Soldiers.” He shares the true-life story of helping lead what is considered the most successful unconventional warfare campaign in modern history, a victory that changed the course of the country and the world.
In October 2001, following the attacks on 9/11, Nutsch led a team of U.S. Special Forces on a covert mission to Afghanistan, where they would ride to war on horses to fight the enemy—side by side with their Muslim counterparts—capture the strategic city of Mazari-Sharif within a matter of weeks, and successfully overthrow the Taliban. Now a consultant to Special Operations Command, he earned a Bronze Star with valor for his bravery.
On stage, Nutsch enthralls audiences with an edge-of-your-seat, behind-the-scenes account of how this event played out, impacted the world and earned them the gratitude of a nation. He also shares perspectives on preparing his team of “guerrilla diplomats” for ever-evolving circumstances and how resourcefulness, inventiveness and commitment, along with adaptability, a diverse team and a capacity to persevere enabled them to successfully accomplish their mission.
Tickets are $5 and available for students, faculty, staff and the general public at the Schine Box Office or online on the Box Office website. The film will have open captioning.
For further questions or concerns, contact Keely Higgins, director of public relations for University Union and follow University Union on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.
