Summer 2009: A journey of self-discovery amidst the Afghanistan War.

by Andrew Coville

After spending twenty years in Afghanistan, the meaning of 'war' became unclear. Was it a fight, an effort to keep world peace or something completely different?

The Afghanistan war endured for two decades, involving an all-volunteer military force deployed repeatedly between 2001-2021. Over the course of these 20 years, thousands of young Americans lived through their own unique versions of the war, each marked by personal war stories and life-altering events. The war concluded on August 30th, 2021, leaving both the United States and the people of Afghanistan with a somber and perplexing aftermath. An entire generation now grapples with questions surrounding the reasons behind their sacrifices, as well as the thousands of lives lost or forever changed during the conflict.

This narrative presents a firsthand account of a Marine who played a small role in the Afghan War . It begins with his enlistment in the Marine Corps immediately after high school, driven by dreams of earning the prestigious title of United States Marine and serving his country in combat. The story culminates with his reentry into the civilian world, marked by the challenging task of making sense of the profound experiences he underwent.

The account unfolds through a journey kept by the Marine during a significant offensive in the Helmand Province in the summer of 2009 . These firsthand entries, composed by a 21-year-old, are revisited 15 years later, offering a continually evolving perspective and outlook on life. This is not merely a war story, or a detailed military operation account; rather, it is a vulnerable and revealing exploration into the inner thoughts of a young man navigating the complexities of war. It delves into what he learned from those experiences as the years unfolded.

"This compelling narrative follows the journey of a Marine through service, camaraderie, and the unwavering pursuit of a cause deemed worth fighting for. Join "Summer 2009" to immerse yourself in the world of these young Marines, offering a profound insight into their distinctive and vulnerable experiences during the Afghanistan War."

This war book is a must-read if you're drawn to powerful stories of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment. Purchase your copy now and be part of their extraordinary journey.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2023

Reviews

[Stan Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Summer 2009” by Andrew Coville is an introspective and honest memoir about working through the loss of a good friend on a deployment. The author splits the narrative with journal entries from his time in service and then further explains the events in each chapter. Coville struggles with the loss of his best friend and processes through survivors guilt and inner turmoil throughout the book. He approaches hard topics with vulnerability and puts the reader in the mind of a young combat Marine in Afghanistan. This book shows the real cost of war and the effects on those who survive the ordeal. This is another one that should be in your GWOT library.

[NV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, heart felt, gave good explanation and insight to what it was like for a soldier, answered many questions I’ve always wondered about leave, travel and being stationed and transitioning back to being a civilian when I’m the majority of population has no inclination of what a deployed soldier goes through.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and powerful read. I served about a year after this author's deployment in Helmand Province with the Marines, and a lot of his stories and experiences resonate with me. That being said, I think this story will be equally powerful for those who did not serve. I could see middle schoolers and high schoolers having this as required reading in the future when the Afghanistan War is long behind us. Veterans are at an interesting point right now where they feel comfortable to finally share their perspective and story. Andrew is brave for being honest and vulnerable with his words and emotions. We will be having him on our podcast soon, and I can't wait to hear him talk about this literature. We need more stories like this to piece together the puzzle known as Operation Enduring Freedom. Thank you Andrew, keep writing. RIP Nick.

[Jeff Bodell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew provides the reader with an exceptionally intimate and vulnerable experience of a young man who experiences trauma and loss during armed conflict and the long-lasting effects of sacrifice. As a fellow combat veteran, this story was intensely familiar and relatable. this is not a story of glory and warehounding bravado. instead, this is a story of the grim truth of how war affects those sent to it and those affected by it. If you want to better understand the sacrifices of those who volunteer to face an enemy on the battlefield, Andrew clearly provides some insight. Summer 2009 is as much about healing as it is honoring the sacrifices made by the men who volunteer for such selfless service.

[Finn Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, quick read

Not to most polished piece of writing, but a great book about a young ground Marine in Afghanistan. Centered around a journal he kept during deployment, it’s an unfiltered telling of the events, tragedies, and emotions that take place during his deployment. A true perspective on what it’s like to be in that environment, there’s no discussion of policies, or “happy feelings good” reasons for being there, just what it takes to take care of the Marines beside you.

Written by a guy from my home area, I knew all the local places he talked about. I remember when Nick was killed and hearing about it in the local news. I had friends in my high school that knew Nick and a lot of the people in Nick and Andrew’s high school.

[Azul Terronez · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartfelt and inspirational story of vulnerability and triumph

Coville shares the touching insights from a twenty something young man perspective about what war can do to one’s life.
Easy to read but deeply personal, this book made me think of what it really takes to be courageous. Well done!