As veterans return, the impact of the war could now be felt at home
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Jeff Van SantQ13 FOX News reporter10:17 p.m. PST, December 18, 2011
It’s been a moment that has been nearly nine years in the making. Now, the last combat troops are finally leaving Iraq.
“I never would imagine it would happen,” Spc. Vergil Heger said. “It was just like, you guys are the last ones. I was like, ‘Wow — last ones.’ I can’t explain it.”
The last troops crossed into Kuwait Sunday. They entered in armored vehicles and left behind a country that will be forever changed.
“It’s hard to explain, it’s history — it’s a conflict that cost the lives of over 4,500 American lives, billions [of dollars] and more than 100,000 Iraqi [lives],” Pvt. Anthony Palm said. “Some worry it all was all for nothing.”
“The war in Iraq is never done,” said Iraq veteran Jorge Gonzalez. “You’ve got thousands and thousands of soldiers who have gone deployed, did their time and come back and they’re still fighting with post-traumaticstress, depression.”
Gonzalez is an Army veteran who served in some the most dangerous areas in Iraq from 2006 to 2007.
“I lost some friends. Best friend lost some limbs.[I] saw plenty of dead soldiers, dead Iraqis, dead kids, dead woman – stuff that nobody should ever see,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is part of an organization called Coffee Strong, it’s a group that helps returning veterans deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. He also hopes the people of Iraq will heal from the wounds of the long conflict. lost some friends. Best friend lost some limbs.[I] saw plenty of dead soldiers, dead Iraqis, dead kids, dead woman – stuff that nobody should ever see,” Gonzalez said.
“We need to take care of the populace over there,” he said.
While some question the future of Iraq, some soldiers are rejoicing — and taking pride in the fact the mission is now coming to a close.
“I would tell you [there is] pride in what all those that have gone before us have,” Lt. Col. Jack Van Tress said. “Pride in my soldiers as they complete their mission of the yearlong ordeal of preparing for that moment of when we cross the [border], saying ‘Mission Complete’.”
