     |
Courier-Journal runs front-page story on Walter Herd '83
RELEASED: Aug. 5, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—Col. Walter Herd '83 says that fighting in Afghanistan won't bring a decisive victory that will prompt a parade, but will rather be a steadily progressing effort that keeps the fight against terrorism outside the United States.
Herd recently completed a 10-month stint as commander of special operations in Afghanistan.
The Louisville Courier-Journal featured his efforts in a story this week. To read the profile, go to http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2004/08/03ky/A1-kyherdjump-9936.html.
Herd, who received a degree in history from Centre, is described as polite and well spoken. Friends and family say he's smart, tough and dependable.
Herd has been involved in missions—some covert—in 25 countries, in such locations as Central America, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq during the first Gulf War.
But he doesn't act like "Rambo," Neil Booker '80, a friend of Herd, told the Courier-Journal. "He's rugged and tough, but he's also a thinker. It gives me confidence to know he's on the front line."
Herd says the hardest thing about his mission in Afghanistan was writing letters homes to families of those killed in duty. Pat Tillman, the former National Football League player killed in action this spring, was part of Herd's force.
In July, a survey of Afghans by the nonprofit Asia Foundation found that 64 percent thought that the country was headed in the right direction, and 81 percent said they planned to vote in upcoming elections. Nearly two-thirds said they felt safe, compared with just over one-third under the Taliban.
"Only a couple of years ago," Herd says in the article, "al-Qaida had free rein. Now the locals are turning them in."
About 20 Centre alumni are serving or have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- end -
Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/
For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.
Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422
Public Information Coordinator: Telephone 859-238-5714