Petraeus
by Hyde Park Theatre

Jul. 22, 2015
Wednesday

“The dog must gnaw/At bones to clean its teeth; soldiers must go/To war to prove their aretai exist.” 

In 2005, General David Petraeus asked West Point philosophy professor Colonel Ted Westhusing to deploy to Iraq and manage the training of local security forces. Colonel Westhusing, an expert on military ethics, was an obvious choice for monitoring the contractors and soldiers responsible for 'standing-up' a series of elite Iraqi police battalions. Westhusing demonstrated exemplary physical abilities as an officer and Airborne Ranger. He was among the brightest soldiers of his generation. He graduated 'honor cadet' and 3rd in his class at West Point, and earned a PhD through the study of classical philosophy and military ethics. He was a man of Catholic faith, with a devoted family. He entered Iraq as a "true believer." Less than six months after deployment, Colonel Westhusing shot himself in the head with his Army issued 9mm Berretta. His hurried suicide note ends with the lines: "Life needs trust. Trust is no more, for me, here in Iraq."

Actors include Johnny Meyer, Ken Webster, Bob Jones, Brian Schwartz and Karen Alvarado. Direction by Gary Jaffe.

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Petraeus
by J.M. Meyer
Hyde Park Theatre

Hyde Park Theatre is graciously hosting the staged reading of a new play by Johnny Meyer on Wed July 22nd, 2015 at 7:30pm. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Talk back to follow reading.