In 2001, a small band of Green Berets were inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11. This group used horses and laser-guided bombs to overthrow the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. A sculpture was commissioned to recognize the bravery of American special forces and the real horse soldiers of the movie,  12 Strong. The film tells the story of U.S. Army Special Forces sent to Afghanistan immediately after the September 11 attacks. This sculpture/monument is to remember their time of sacrifice, unity, and brotherhood.

We continue to celebrated these men and their accomplishments. Washington’s native son, Mark Nutsch, led this group of “12 Strong” into battle as the first Americans fighting back after the 9-11 attacks on the United States. 

Mark Nutsch is also the author of a non-fiction book “Swords of Lightning: Green Beret Horse Soldiers & America’s Response to 9/11” which is a first person account of their experience. 

The monument is located on the west side of the courthouse square in Washington, Kansas.