The Purdue University Northwest Sinai Forum will present guest speaker retired Special Forces Lt. Col. Jason Amerine, who will share his story of going from war hero to whistle-blower at 4 p.m. (CT), Sunday, Oct. 23 in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex on the PNW Westville campus.
The complex is located at 1401 S. US Highway 421. The doors open at 3 p.m.
The Sinai Forum presents speakers who explore compelling contemporary issues in a town-hall style forum. Audience members have an opportunity to pose face-to-face questions.
From war hero to whistle-blower
Amerine served in the Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and became the subject of the book, “The Only Thing Worth Dying For,” by Eric Blehm, which tells the story of Amerine and 10 Green Berets who fought alongside the future leader of Afghanistan during the first months of the initiative that become known as Operation Enduring Freedom.
Amerine returned home a decorated war hero and was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device and the Purple Heart for his actions in Afghanistan. He worked at the Pentagon until January, 2015, where he led an Army team ordered to bring home Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a mission that was expanded to include several civilian hostages held by Taliban-aligned militants in Pakistan. During the course of his work, Amerine wrangled with federal agencies as he navigated a maze of bureaucracy as he tried to do his job.
As he worked to streamline the process of hostage negotiations, he found himself the subject of an Army investigation and faced a possible Court Martial. Ultimately he was cleared of any wrongdoing and his efforts resulted in policy change regarding western hostage negotiations and he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Purchasing Tickets
Regular Season tickets are $75, which includes general seating for the 2016 season programs. A Patron Season ticket is $200, which includes reserved section seating for all 2016 programs and exclusive receptions with the speakers before each program beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Students who show a valid school I.D. are admitted to the program without charge.
Tickets can be purchased by credit card online at www.pnw.edu/sinai-forum or by cash or check at: The Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. Second St., Michigan City; Kabelin Hardware, 512 Andrew Ave., La Porte and the Porter County Community Foundation, 1401 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso.
Program Sponsors
The Sinai Forum season sponsors are IU Health La Porte Hospital, The Times Media Company and Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa. Additional sponsors are “La Porte Herald Argus” and “The News Dispatch,” The John W. Anderson Foundation, Horizon Bank, The Bankoff Family and Duneland Health Council.
Patron-level ticket holders will be welcome to attend all speaker receptions, which begin at 2:30 p.m. CT, prior to each speaker. The receptions are sponsored by Strack & Van Til, Scannell Wealth Management, Purdue Federal Credit Union and Harbour Trust & Investment Management Company
Additional information about the Purdue Northwest Sinai Forum is available at www.pnw.edu/sinai-forum.
