AP US History

Dr. Stewart Hamilton (Shawnigan alumnus, class of 1968) spoke to Mr. Olson’s AP US History class about his time as a trauma surgeon at Kandahar Airfield in 2008. Dr. Hamilton began his talk by giving credit to Graham Anderson, his Shawnigan History teacher, for his interest in history and then spoke about the conflict in Afghanistan in an historical context. He showed us images of the beautiful and harsh landscape and outlined the factors of population density, education, religion, languages and health in that area. He talked briefly about the Communist and Taliban era and about Role 3 MMU (Multinational Medical Unit) of which he was a part. In this 16-bed hospital, 75 metres from the tarmac at the Airfield, Dr. Hamilton, and his team members cared for coalition forces, Afghan security forces, civilians, and any life threatening injuries that crossed their threshold. Dr. Hamilton brought to view the destruction caused by AK47s, suicide bombs, and IEDs, with photos from his operating room. We were captivated by his teaching and honoured by the time he gave us.