Everest Collegiate history teacher, Mr. Kell Peterson, shares the experience of his class having Captain Mastromatteo, grandfather of senior Giovanni Mastromatteo, visit his class this week. For soon-to-be graduates, his stories had them on the edges of their seats. Everest seniors have faced unknowns over the course of this past year, but when Captain Mastromatteo was graduating high school many young men were being drafted to the Korean War. The captain’s message about actively preserving freedom was important to the students.
“Warfare in History is a class that is not chronological or comprehensive. Our aim is to better understand and appreciate the mind of the warfighter. At the center of the syllabus is the classic ‘manual’ for officers, Warfighting, by General Gray (a text that continues to be taught at all US military academies). Students are engaged by ‘lessons of war’ told in literature and documentary film by generals, soldiers and civilian leaders. From the art of war to works of art by warriors, this elective provides for a much deeper consideration of historical topics that do not neatly fit into other parts of the curriculum. Subjects covered rotate, but this year we explored several of the Middle East wars including The Six Day War, Arab-Israeli Conflicts, Syrian Civil Wars, Saudi-Yemen Conflicts, and others. There was also an extended emphasis on ‘hot wars’ arising out of the Cold War, including the Korean War and Vietnam. The present unit has been about honoring those who have served from Michigan, and those who serve the military in extraordinary ways, including Michigan Medal of Honor recipients, medical practitioners and even Catholic priests. Captain Mastromatteo served in Korea as a dentist. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Georgetown University before being drafted to the U.S. Army.
Nodding to a presidential portrait in the history room where he was speaking this morning, Captain Mastromatteo reminded students ‘freedom is always just one generation away from extinction’. Continuing his Reagan reference, the doctor explained that ‘Freedom is not passed down genetically in our blood, but each generation has to struggle to preserve it for themselves.’
Students asked questions about his service in Korea, which included daily transport in a two-man helicopter. ‘I became very close to my pilot, who was also my roommate. We were close friends. And you better believe some prayers were sent up when the wind was blowing around the mountains up there.'” -Mr. Kell Peterson
