Local Veterans Discuss 10th Anniversary of Second Iraq War
By: Michaela MacDonald
Updated: March 19, 2013
The tenth anniversary of the start of the second Iraq War has many people talking about if the war was worth it. Two local veterans say this anniversary is a time to ponder that question and reflect on their service.
"Do you think it was worth going to Iraq, do you think it was worth you going over there for almost a year and a half, and leaving your family and your business and all this kind of stuff? And I think that it was worth it as far as I'm concerned, for what we did was a great thing," said Wade Wilkes, who served in Iraq in 2005-2006.
Wilkes says he thinks his sacrifice was worth giving Iraqi civilians a chance at freedom.
"We now have allowed the Iraqi people to create their own destiny. We got rid of Saddam Hussein. They can now go forward and do the things that we take for granted here in this country which is a democracy," said Wilkes.
But he says it wasn't easy.
"The Iraq War was sheer hell," he said, "The only regrets I have are for those that didn't come back, that didn't come home with us."
"I don't think it will ever be completely done for any of the veterans that went, but its something that I think about especially on the tenth anniversary," said Josh Blair, who served two tours in Iraq, first in 2004 then again in 2009.
Blair says this anniversary is a chance to remind people that even though the conflict is over, many veterans haven't moved on.
"There are still guys out there that have PTSD, a lot in Lubbock. There are a lot of guys out there who have trouble reintegrating into society," said Blair.
He says on this 10th anniversary, his concern is helping those who served their country get help themselves.
"Supporting veterans organizations, reform through the legislation for the VA, there's a lot of guys who are still on back log trying to get their disability pay," said Blair.
Both Blair and Wilkes say Lubbock has always been very supportive of the troops, but there are still many soldiers out there that need help.
"Do you think it was worth going to Iraq, do you think it was worth you going over there for almost a year and a half, and leaving your family and your business and all this kind of stuff? And I think that it was worth it as far as I'm concerned, for what we did was a great thing," said Wade Wilkes, who served in Iraq in 2005-2006.
Wilkes says he thinks his sacrifice was worth giving Iraqi civilians a chance at freedom.
"We now have allowed the Iraqi people to create their own destiny. We got rid of Saddam Hussein. They can now go forward and do the things that we take for granted here in this country which is a democracy," said Wilkes.
But he says it wasn't easy.
"The Iraq War was sheer hell," he said, "The only regrets I have are for those that didn't come back, that didn't come home with us."
"I don't think it will ever be completely done for any of the veterans that went, but its something that I think about especially on the tenth anniversary," said Josh Blair, who served two tours in Iraq, first in 2004 then again in 2009.
Blair says this anniversary is a chance to remind people that even though the conflict is over, many veterans haven't moved on.
"There are still guys out there that have PTSD, a lot in Lubbock. There are a lot of guys out there who have trouble reintegrating into society," said Blair.
He says on this 10th anniversary, his concern is helping those who served their country get help themselves.
"Supporting veterans organizations, reform through the legislation for the VA, there's a lot of guys who are still on back log trying to get their disability pay," said Blair.
Both Blair and Wilkes say Lubbock has always been very supportive of the troops, but there are still many soldiers out there that need help.
