On January 23rd, 2020 author Len Sandler, retired adjunct professor at Boston University; spoke at the Rotary Club of Lynn’s weekly luncheon. His presentation was about a recent book he wrote about Jared Monti a Medal of Honor recipient from Massachusetts. The following is a brief description of the event where Jared sacrificed his life for others.
Jared Monti graduated from Bridgewater-Raynham High School, volunteered for the U.S. Army and was deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11. When his patrol came under attack by an overwhelming force of insurgents on a remote mountain, the SFC attempted not once but three times to rescue a squad member from the “kill zone” declaring, “He’s my guy. I’m going to get him.” In doing so, Jared likely saved the lives of all those in his patrol since the enemy focused fire on him. With the Americans dangerously low on ammunition, he was able to give them the one thing they needed - time for air support to arrive. Upon suffering a direct hit from an RPG, the 30-year-old recited the “Lord’s Prayer” as he lay dying. His last words were, “I’ve made peace with God. Tell my family I love them.” Jared was posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor in 2009, the first for a MA resident since the Viet Nam War. His father, my childhood friend, continues to drive Jared’s pickup truck every day to try to feel close to his son. That led to “I Drive Your Truck” which became the #1 country song in America and won both the CMA and ACM “Song of the Year.” The soldier known as “The Gift of God” to the Afghanis died a heroic death but, more importantly, lived a heroic life. This is the inspiring story of that life.
Len Sandler also spoke about Jared’s early life living on the South Shore, and of his early years in the U. S. Army. He answered several questions about Jared’s life which is not reflected in the book. The book is available for purchase on Amazon; a portion of the proceeds from the sales will go to the Jared C. Monti Charitable
Foundation.
