8 Years in Afghanistan: a look at Fort Carson, Col.

All this week we will be marking eight years since the U.S. led invasion of Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. Today we look at the conflict as seen through the eyes of one community whose sacrifices are difficult to fathom. The 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade is based out of Fort Carson, Col., near Colorado Springs. The combat unit that lost eight men on Saturday after an attack by insurgents in eastern Afghanistan came from Fort Carson. In both Iraq and Afghanistan the post has lost more than 270 soldiers.

We speak to Sgt. Maj. Terrance McWilliams, who was the highest ranking enlisted man at Fort Carson. He served as Commander there for five-and-a-half years before retiring in 2007. And he spent thirty one years in the Army. He’s now Director of Military Support for the El Pomar Foundation ? a private foundation that supports community programs in Colorado. We also speak to Tom Roeder, military correspondent for The Gazette in Colorado Springs.