 and it's a story that captures the essence of American greatness. Drafted into the Army as the Korean War was winding down, my dad was assigned to Camp Carson in Colorado Springs, the city I actually live in now. Carson back then was home to thousands of soldiers, as it is now, but they also had 300 pack mules as part of the base. Yes, mules. Beginning in World War II, mules were employed to carry men, heavy machinery, and artillery.