Iraq War Veterans, 20 Years Later: ‘I Don’t Know How to Explain the War to Myself’ | Op-Docs

Months after the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, I began filming the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (known as the Gunners) in Baghdad. The unit was housed in a bombed-out palace on the banks of the Tigris that they named Gunner Palace.
Rather than just making a movie about the men, I suggested that we make a film together - an offer that the soldiers quickly embraced. They told the story of the war as only they could: They played guitar, spat out rhymes and played to the camera. But behind all their bravado and posturing, they were just kids who desperately wanted the world to understand the war through their eyes.
In the last two months of 2003, the Gunners lost three men to I.E.D. attacks. They scrambled to create makeshift armor for their soft-skinned vehicles using scrap metal. When asked by a soldier about the lack of armor in 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld famously said, “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.”
They were the army we had. They fought an enemy they couldn’t always see in a land they didn’t understand for reasons that were never entirely clear. In the midst of the pandemic, I visited the men and spoke with them about how they make sense of their role in a war that has yet to be fully reckoned with. In "The Army We Had," the veterans grapple with a past that still reverberates powerfully through their lives.
- Text by Michael Tucker
- Film by Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker
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[@Zlinky111]

"I don't feel like we are defending our country any more. We just go where they tell us". Pretty much summed it up.

[@cryptidian3530]

Welcome to the US military forces.

[@thezimra9429]

uhm..... defending country ? hahhahah imagine going on the other side of the planet to defend poppy fields to make what happens in murica now ? homeless? drugs? fentanyl? its cause u did what u did... its not theyre fault... but murica should beliable and those people should fking get charged

[@broaddusmarines]

It’s been like that for over 70 years now.

[@xxxod]

@@broaddusmarines just following orders

[@musaidris1233]

Heedless . Not using their own brain .

[@TenTonNuke]

I don't know one veteran, myself included, who feels like they made a difference. We had no mission apart from "wait until someone fires at you and then fire back." We didn't bring freedom and democracy; we tore the country apart and left it in chaos and ruin. And we treated innocent people like they were terrorists. When people call me a hero and thank me for my service, I flinch. I feel like I should be punished for what I've done, not praised.

[@nightwishn]

you are the 1st person on this comment section that i felt is truly honest and the ONLY from everything ive heard and read and watched that i truly felt that you deserve respect for saying and admitting this , thank you for what you said respectfully

[@Arborist5851]

I know what you mean brother, I completely agree.

[@ebolawarrior451]

Only time I felt like I helped was when I was helping kids at the TCN/LN depot. Other than that, I wasted two years of my life.

[@arandom1024]

Former marine rifleman here...yep

[@joshnic6639]

Which is why it blows my mind When I hear people talk about how they never would’ve joined the Nazis, like if it was your country yes, of course you would have.

[@terinash609]

I am an army veteran. My son was a Cavalry Scout. He refused to go to Iraq because he didn’t believe in the war there. He told them he would go fight in Afghanistan. He had a court martial, went to military prison for a short time, received an bad conduct discharge and lost all veterans benefits. His best Army buddy wasn’t going to deploy to Iraq either. He gave in and went. He was blown up by an IED. He was burned, broke his back, pelvis, he has a traumatic brain injury. He now is disabled for life and has horrific PTSD. That unit lost several soldier and others were injured. Then my son fell apart from survivor guilt. He had a breakdown. He will never be the same. He was 21. He is almost 40 now. His life is ruined. My daughter and son in law served as MPs. They had multiple deployments in Afghanistan. They have PTSD and other service related problems. They were very disillusioned by the time their last enlistment was up and got out. I am a 100% disabled veteran. My health was ruined by the non FDA approved vaccines I received during the first Gulf war. I have been ill, in pain and have memory and cognitive issues. I have been this way for 33 years. Over half my life I have been disabled. Our country needs to stop sending our troops off to needless wars. Now Biden and Blinken are backing Israel In their Genocide and war crimes. They are playing directly into Netanyahu’s hand to fight WWIII with not only more American funding and weapons but American troops. If they don’t destroy the entire world we will have more dead or mentally and physically disabled veteran and not much will change in the Middle East !

[@Iesha466]

My heart breaks reading your testimony and that of your kids. I am incredibly sorry and ashamed of our evil government and bankers running the global financial war machines. We are Patriots who Love America and all of humanity, however we are fed up with politics, lies and corruption as I'm sure you are! God bless you and we are praying for a massive, sweeping, global change on this plant. We are with you 🙏❤️🇺🇸

[@Polyfusia]

Sad story and really the oldest story ever told. People go fight for their nation and believe in honour and protecting whats right and come home shattered to a nation that suddenly doesn't need them anymore now that they've served their purpose. It may be cynical but I think the real reason it is encouraged to tell those in the miiitary "thank you for your service" is actually to attract new recruits who see this and believe its a job of valour and to keep those who have lost everything because of their service a little quieter. If the powers that be wanted to thank you, they'd look after you.

[@cpttreebeard9112]

A feel sympathy for you but that last paragraph is unhinged rantings of a conspiracy theorist

[@Iesha466]

@cpttreebeard9112 there's no conspiracy about it. If you're not aware of the major problems facing humanity and just where they stem from then you're not thinking for yourself and simply following along with the misguided sheep listening to the liberal media talking heads on CNN.

[@megaham1552]

I know you are hurting but you should learn about geopolitics, the world isn't that simple and the US leaving the middle east doesn't solve everything

[@johnnyparatrooper1326]

I lost about 20 friends to suicide, drugs, and late night car accidents after my service. Hurts…

[@user-td2jw9ze2c]

Did they serve with you may i ask if you don't mind?

[@toeachitsown2050]

Sorry for your loss. I still appreciate you and your friends.

[@ottoneiii4353]

oh :(

[@lesterc-ts4xn]

Sorry to hear that, dear Johny, may their souls rest in peace. Thank you for your service.. You must be a cool person if you had/have that many friends. God bless you.

[@moralisoppression2837]

​@@lesterc-ts4xndont think they will rest in peace

[@mustafamohammed8758]

"The wars will end and the leaders will shake hands, and that old woman will remain waiting for her martyred son, and that girl will wait for her beloved husband, and the children will wait for their heroic father, I do not know who sold the homeland but I know who paid the price" - Mahmoud Darwish

[@teamtoken]

Brilliant quote. No more needs to be said.

[@kgosijapie5859]

Hmmmm... powerful

[@ddhqj2023]

@@knowstradamusucka5713 In Iraq?

[@pavlolowry5441]

@@knowstradamusucka5713 why you're creating another war right now?

[@PapaDalbec]

@@knowstradamusucka5713 or sold the homeland 😉

[@CyborgZeta]

The guy who said he felt the need to sign up after 9/11 was spot on. That was precisely the mood a lot of people felt in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. And the Bush Administration took full advantage of it.

[@codyjames01111]

That's the whole purpose of a false flag attack

[@wizard_customz]

It was done by our own government.. what do you know about gadafhi

[@Psychedelic430]

''The killing stops in one place and starts in another but thats ok cause you are killing for your country. But it aint your country whose asking its a few men top who want it. Old men start it , young men fight it. Nobody wins , everybody in the middle dies and nobody tells the truth.''

[@victorkreig6089]

Wrong, CONGRESS and the SENATE took full advantage of that Look at how many said yes to the war and look how many said yes to the patriot act Almost unanimous decisions. The admin was doing what congress and the senate told them to do plain and simple Oh and the satellite images that created the thoughts of WMD's and the only reason it was even used as a reason for invasion was because MI6 sent us images that showed they were there, of course it wasn't until years later that even the admin found out they were fakes

[@flman1284]

They created it.

[@TheLucieFurr]

"Only the dead have seen the end of war" Plato

[@ryanwilliams174]

Funny thing is you have made the same mistake many have made and falsely accredited this to Plato. Newsflash .....Plato never once said that lmao

[@ryanwilliams174]

P.s. maybe look up George Santayana🤷‍♂️🤣

[@juanburgueno3274]

Only the dead have seen the end of war ~Spongebob~

[@timcoakley5498]

Only Tony bliar and the bush administration would cause a the death of over a million people for money

[@GoodGuyRuska-]

@@juanburgueno3274 "mayonaise is an instrument of war" -patrick

[@natashalacey92]

2 of my close friends were deployed in Afghanistan and committed suicide when they came back to the US due to their PTSD. They both shot themselves in the head. I remember the stories they would tell me and what they experienced coming back here. One of them would hear gunshots and bombs at night when there weren’t any. It was heartbreaking to watch them suffer.

[@marcosoliveira6470]

Guilty for the innocent people they killed for no reason.

[@cycologist7069]

@@marcosoliveira6470 That doesn't mean they don't deserve sympathy and compassion.

[@marcosoliveira6470]

@@cycologist7069 Compassion should be a 2 way street. Did they have compassion for the 1 million kids killed in Iraq? 1.4 million total people killed for no reason.

[@cycologist7069]

@@marcosoliveira6470 Obviously they didn’t have compassion for the people they killed so I’ll rephrase. Even though they didn’t have compassion for the people who’s lives they took and upended, that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve it from their fellow citizens when they return home.

[@marcosoliveira6470]

@@cycologist7069 No compassion from me for assassins killing defenseless children.

[@gabe_s_videos]

Credit to the people who made this film, it was very tasteful. No dramatic music, no sensationalist editing, just the stories of people, what they did, why they did it and what they think of it now.

[@willskissick4100]

Ditto

[@sharpderp7769]

The irony of this all…

[@gabe_s_videos]

@@sharpderp7769 What irony?

[@sharpderp7769]

NYT

[@gabe_s_videos]

@@sharpderp7769 What about it?

[@demo8175]

We need more documentaries like this to show how much humanity is lost in war.

[@marmac7619]

Perhaps even more so to the Aggressors, than the Victims?!

[@jonny-b4954]

Imagine it from the Iraqi's perspective.

[@anniemihn]

Poor Americans who murdered 1 million civillians including women and children.

[@P..W]

I can explain the war to them - Zionist fingerprints on 9/11 and then attacking Israel's nearby geographic enemies at the beginning of the "Messianic Age" where Israel religously supposedly rules the world financially.

[@robertsride1498]

It wasn't a lawful war. Look up how the United States is supposed to go to war under the Constitution. Article I, Section 8, Clause 11: Just My Thoughts...

[@aucamel3491]

From an Arab...God Bless the men in this video. You signed up to fight the terrorists of 9/11 and you were sent to Iraq. Prayers for you suffering PTSD or any other War injuries.

[@michaelvivirito]

If only we knew the truth

[@dustinpope9338]

​@@michaelviviritohave you seen Europa The Last Battle?

[@michaelvivirito]

@@dustinpope9338 no I haven’t. I can download it. What’s it about?

[@dustinpope9338]

@@michaelvivirito it's a documentary about what really happened in WW1 and WW2 it's the otherside of the story that's been kept from us for the past 75+ years. Definitely worth the watch. Make sure you watch the 2019 version all 10 parts.

[@fuckaroobill]

@@michaelvivirito It's neonazi cope because they're mad they lost, and that the jews are allowed to exist. avoid this garbage at all costs

[@Yodiemember69]

This video made a difference 😢thank you for your time spent

[@sheraz2045]

Being an American is like being the child of a Mob boss, you don't really know what your Dad does only that he provides for you, then you're shocked when someone throws a bomb through your living room window.

[@vmoses1979]

Lol - so well put.

[@JustAroadcone]

Dude, what does the American government provide you? No social welfare, no healthcare, garbage infrastructure and LITERALLY the worst prison system in the western world by every metric. I think you could be demanding more. Lot's of nukes though, so there's that.

[@bLeo99]

Never looked at it from that perspective. Crazy to think about but it’s true.

[@Yasmin-dx3ek]

Perfect analogy.

[@IyamSoRaya]

Facts

[@TikyeWilliams]

“Money for wars but can’t feed the poor”

[@FamiliarAnomaly]

Money for blackrock and vanguard to buy your homes and rent them back to you. The people who run the country have betrayed us.

[@jimyoung7926]

I always liked the bar that followed this,"They say there ain't no hope for the Youth, but the truth is there ain't no hope for the future."

[@SinArtavia]

Wars are sometimes necessary sadly, however the recent lives lost between Ukraine to Russia and even Palestine and Israel can and should be solved peacefully... Would like to add that I do believe more should be done for those in difficult circumstances, but nonetheless you hit the nail on the head 👍

[@elijahflores1151]

Okay Pac

[@JustaKarenDiscoveredTheIntrnet]

The Rich run the world and run our country and want Resources other countries have to make them Richer and will do whatever it takes to get it ...Wars is essentially modern genocide of people.

[@SamuelWalker-bv4gh]

I love all of these guys and the way they are just so honest and up front about the war. It’s important we don’t take our vets for granted !

[@FixerUpper-cb3wo]

U Americans always see yourselves as victims. I don't care about these murd€rers.

[@derrinevans2985]

Thank you Mr. Beatty for all you taught us.

[@baneenbzz4208]

As an Iraqi who lived through this and grew up in it, i could barely finish this video. It was horrible and forever damaging to all Iraqis who had to go through this.

[@Thegbiggamerz]

Sometimes it’s important to finish painful things, just see.

[@amandasmith373]

Salam alaikum Baneen, I'm so sorry for what you, your family, and your nation suffered. The Iraqis are the victims in this. The war in Iraq wasn't "a mistake." A mistake is when you spill milk. The war in Iraq was a crime against humanity, and the Iraqis people deserve justice for the evil brought up on them by the US.

[@orange2352]

​@@amandasmith373 USA USA USA USA

[@russelllariscylll9938]

Amanda, don’t be so pretentious and act like nobody in Iraq was up to no good

[@andwhataboutit8660]

@@Thegbiggamerz they lived through it, they've seen it already. We're the ones who need to finish the video (I'm Iraqi too but was born in NZ)

[@saemae1169]

As an Iraqi citizen back then and a us citizen now. This war was devastating for us Iraqi people our home was destroyed we lived in fear everyday. A million Iraqi civilians died because of this war. And it was futile and pointless. Why all this? What for?

[@tmagic4781]

revelation 3:9 thats why

[@timuruddin7088]

Dont worry brother. Immigrants will come to their country and will take their country from them.

[@rd-mu2vj]

It’s was all for oil and money!!! Duh!!! How do you like living in the US verses living in Iraq? Would you want to move back now the US has pulled out? Why or why not?

[@JusDON2.0]

Oil and money … greed and power… hate and control… that’s all anyone wants with the Middle East… I so wish I could find a Time Machine … my father gave me an ultimatum… go to college or join the military… I so wish I went to college

[@jdk67]

Greed. Plain and simple.

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

I love their transparency and raw feelings.

[@joshlucas5907]

Thank you for sharing. It really provides insight into your world. Nothing but respect for all you guys.

[@thecowboypreacher6568]

What the US government did to these eager and willing young men and the Iraqi people is tragic and criminal beyond comprehension. My heart goes out to them all.

[@ksgermania6159]

Not only the Iraqi.

[@brentoncarter4275]

lol the NYTimes did the exact same thing... lied about WMDs and Iraq the entire time.

[@noneofyourbusiness1114]

They're trying to do it again with Ukraine.

[@Bambeakz]

Yeah the US needs war to thrive Sad but true.

[@TheJordanK]

@@noneofyourbusiness1114no they’re not 😂 unless by “they” you mean Russia, then ya.

[@jamesreed6152]

It’s crazy to see how we all look back and realize we got played.

[@MuantanamoMobile]

Not once...but more than 7 times...

[@rph8704]

A lot of people knew Iraq was a bunch of BS.

[@johannuys7914]

And the US media backed that crime 100%. Like they are doing now, every day.

[@TheDJMysterE]

We were warned and didn't listen...

[@entreri76x]

Imagine how Vietnam veterans felt…

[@michelleb8569]

To everyone in the video, thank you for what you are sharing, i dont know if i would have it in me to say a word after going through this type of experience, it would be so frustrating and confusing/ degrading. Loving you all

[@mattd6200]

As a neighboring country, I remember the psychological state of America post 9/11. Americans were out for blood. Everyone was signing up to serve. Tiger Woods almost quit golf to go into combat.

[@ayashnawa2343]

As an Iraqi... tears did not stop flowing watching this video. To this day, hearing fireworks makes my heart drop because they sound like bombs exploding. I startle hearing any loud voice. If a person does not pick up a phone, I think of them dead... This is the first time, I realize that it's actually been 20 years. I was only 9 when this started... The aftermath is still real, and my sisters are at risk of having to go back there, their refugee status is confirmed but their documents are "pending".....

[@ahmedrakanrakan]

ابو غريب +اربع بيض امريكيين ارهابيين جنود اغتصبو الطفلة العراقية عبير الجنابي

[@BoliceOccifer]

Sadaam was a bad man but what my country did to Iraq was just as bad. I was born in 2003, so when I look at things like this, I see a history documentary, not something that I personally remember. Despite that, I do feel some guilt about this but I don't know why. For whatever it's worth, I'm sorry.

[@MelonEsuk]

@@BoliceOccifer Gadaffi killed in 2010 for oil and he tried to replace dollar with gold backed currency

[@prairiehorse6168]

@@BoliceOccifer It was awful what America did and still continues to do in less obvious ways in many countries across the world. The drone strikes still have not ended.

[@matthewclark8173]

@@BoliceOccifer I was born in 1993 and I have the same feelings. All we can do is make sure we try not to make the same mistakes our parents made by supporting future war and hope we do not vote for someone who wants it.

[@jayshaft3179]

Out of the 500 soldiers that were in my PTSD study group, only three are still alive. Out of the 1000 in another group, only 43 are left. PTSD and mental traumas never go away, it always haunts you.

[@Iron_Edge_Ltd]

That is bleak and horrifying...

[@jayshaft3179]

@@cbot375 Exactly the problem for the most part. I have watched many a vet die while waiting for treatment. Many also received treatment, but it was either not enough, or too little, too late. I have my own terrible PTSD from years of working with people, and the continuous losses over the years.

[@badmanskill1112]

​@@cbot375 They always have enough money for war to steal resources of other nations, but never enough to assist those that helped them accomplish those goals.

[@dritemolawzbks8574]

​@@jayshaft3179 I'm genuinely curious, but were opioids drugs (substance abuse) and/or COVID-19 any of the contributing factors? That survival rate for young people considered to be in their "prime" was one of the most depressing stats I've seen in a while.

[@koscocosco5309]

Why did you have ptsd when you were heroes liberating poor Iraqis.. I bet you killed innocent people that's why you can forget about it.

[@humorbegone]

Great documentary, it breaks my heart for all of those 😢

[@JB-bw8nj]

I spent time in tikrit, ramadi, Baghdad international, Mosul and a bunch of other places and now I’m living in my car. God bless America

[@nicknack6042]

This reminds me of my friend Josh who went to Iraq as a fresh faced young man and came back a broken adult. He suffered from alcoholism and depression until he took his own life. That wasn't what we envisioned growing up would be like when we were kids. Miss you my brotha. Mourn you til I join you.

[@adamjb21]

Almost made me shed a tear thinking about the innocence and naivety of childhood, only to be suckerpunched by the actual realities of the world. Blessings to you and yours

[@ironknee6879]

At least 4 guys out of the 90 I served with have gone down a path that ended the same. It affected everyone differently. Sorry for your loss.

[@jayklink851]

You know, when your looking back at that era, a couple buddies of mine who were only two years older, were involved in the first month(s) of the Iraq war. At the time, we thought as them as soldiers; but these guys were still boys really. Very brave guys, when I say "boys", there is no intention of disrespect, or to suggest they weren't capable soldiers, just the opposite, in fact. It's just the age, when I was 18, I didn't even know, what I didn't know; but I thought I did, if that makes sense lol.

[@omarismail8551]

American soldiers fight for ambiguous agenda so you are misguided

[@omarismail8551]

@@jayklink851 Because you are misguided like drunkard in streets 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Lukemasonmedia]

This just made me realize that they want all the 18-20 year olds they can get because at that age you don’t think for yourself, you’ll just do what you’re told to

[@user-gc1wj8tt2p]

​@@cloudofw3313 you're prob 18-20 years old lmao

[@MSotelo503]

​@@cloudofw3313That's what "Not Thinking for themselves " means, They had an idea of becoming a Super Hero.

[@woahhbro2906]

That's prime age for physical ability and energy. Plus, younger people tend to be more aggressive, ambitious, and feel they're invincible. Makes for a solid soldier. Joining a military isn't automatically a foolish decision. It's a crucial career. Someone has to do it.

[@calamorta]

This makes no sense. When you're in the army, you either do what you're told or you get screwed. It doesn't matter how old you are. You must and will obey. They just tend to be 18-20 yr olds because that's the age most join the army due to all the bs war propaganda and lack of 'achievements' and/or purpose in life. Also, public opinion as a whole was pro-war. It wasn't just a bunch of 18-20 yr olds "not thinking for themselves". Your country wanted that war. Your people wanted that war. US propaganda goes much deeper than "18-20 yrs olds don't think for themselves".

[@ericpark8784]

Doesn’t change much when people get older

[@danilibbi9205]

the honest Documentation i've ever seen❤❤❤❤

[@gripalipfishin4706]

Thanks for all you gave from me n my family hope life brings u peace and good times! Thanks

[@benfranklin5335]

seeing the small clips of the soldiers, followed by the modern day interview with them. Is one of the greatest things I've ever seen from a docu/film. Absolutely incredible.

[@bong19]

I k r

[@roddydykes7053]

What’s especially shocking is how old these guys look in the modern videos. I remember the beginning of the Middle East war and it didn’t seem like that long ago

[@null_geodesic]

@@roddydykes7053 20 years is a third of your life more often than not. And they already expired a third of their life by the time they started filming.

[@earthynomad7160]

Am so happy to hear that as a refugee. Me and those who left from my family are still praying daily for God's justice and punishment. Queen Elizabeth met her maker already. Remaining Bush and every savage politician and soldier who made our lives unbearable. America hasn't change that's why they are sending more soldiers to east Africa . Thank god for death it will catch everyone and then then everyone will be held accountable. No where to escape from death. God is greater than all. Viva Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia and the rest of oppressed nations.

[@YHWH711]

Absurd

[@AlphaAchilles]

I deployed back in 2013 to Afghanistan and ever since then I feel empty inside. Nothing excites me or genuinely makes me happy. And most of friends are either dead or somewhere far away. Don’t really leave the house unless I have too and no one really gets it. Good to know I’m not alone in this.

[@wearywillie3675]

That sucks bro. Go back and find humanity, join a team and create some value for a group. You won’t regret it.

[@PAMELAPORTER-ci7mr]

This doesn't sound healthy; please seek help. Often, primary care doctors are helpful. I hope you get better.

[@lemonjellosmith4462]

You aren't alone at all. Reach out to a veterans group of people with like experiences. I am praying for you.

[@nobody-jn2mb]

Thank you for your service! You are loved & appreciated. 🙏🏽

[@alexhynes4122]

Thank you so incredibly much for your service brother it was not in vain. You made an impact to keep us safe. My next door neighbor is a combat veteran with severe ptsd and has a service dog. He rarly leaves the house as well. I can’t imagine what you went through and we’re exposed to. I’m a Christian who has had massive trauma in life and the only peace I have found in this life is Jesus. Hang in there please the world needs you in it.

[@GardenMack]

This was a great piece! Idk how it came up on my timeline but glad i took the time to check it. Peace to all these brothers past and future... youre appreciated and loved! -N

[@maryoath]

Thank you for this. ❤

[@differentabdi5699]

My heart goes out to all the Iraqi families who lived through this horrible tragedy

[@Biserbalkanski]

right what about them?

[@Biserbalkanski]

@Afayanl right . I agree . I live here and I'm a little younger but I know the good ol boys was talking s $ trying to make people against the war like they're p$ ys

[@ahmedrakanrakan]

@Sanctus Paulus 1962 The brazen West supports ISIS and Saddam and then comes as heroes to save the world from the beginning Your government support this nonsense

[@DopaminedotSeek3rcolonthree]

@@Afayanl It's us Americans who're emotional, eh? War in and of itself is an atrocity. Everything afterward is an addendum. The reasons are always the same, nevermind the context.

[@batmanRBC]

@SanctusPaulus-ic5glyou’re talking about 1991. Iraq was no threat to Kuwait in 2003, gtfo and learn your history.

[@AP-dv5vk]

All those Iraqi children and people who suffered this prolonged tragedy and injustice. It’s heartbreaking when you feel what happened to them.

[@ImportedFromSerbia]

Numbers are better impact than just word said. Over 500,000 children got killed, died, lost during and stayed our military operations in 🇮🇶.

[@fcarter3863]

​@@ImportedFromSerbia You bet but the media doesn't say it's innocent civilians they call them insurgents

[@alanncsu3243]

Hello... Iraq was in an 8 year war with Iran and over a million people killed, then invaded Kuwait for no reason until we forced them to leave... and chemically bombed his own people. Please tell us again how wonderful the children had it until Sadam, Uday, and Kusay's rule?

[@greenbee6902]

​@@alanncsu3243 False equivalence, Iran-Iraq war was a more traditional war concentrated at the borders, with 85-90% of the dead being soldiers. Not a good time but how does that excuse the US invasion? The US invaded and destroyed a country over a total lie and went on to do atrocities on par if not worse than Saddam. They set up torture prison camps like Abu Ghraib/Guantanamo and used chemical weapons by their own admission in Fallujah. Don't act like there is anything moral about US geopolitics, its purely about the self interest and enrichment at the cost of others.

[@alanncsu3243]

@@greenbee6902- how was the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq a US self-interest or geopolitics? And how was our removal of Iraq from Kuwait at their request US self-interest or geopolitics? We didn't even have anything to do with the 8 year war, and yet you excuse it blindly as some sort of border conflict despite over a million people dead? I guess in your mind, wrongfully dead soldiers is ok... and chemical weapons against his own people (which included children) is reasonable?

[@lespetitszoiseaux3774]

amazing testimonies, listening to these guys, watching them talk about it. Thank you.

[@marezedotes]

Thank you for following up with these men. I’ve often wondered what happened to them.

[@DimuthuYapa]

They deserve to be forgotten forever.

[@listerfiend4577]

I was an infantryman in Baghdad during OIF 06-08 at 19 years old. I feel I’m greatly fortunate that I came back with only limited hearing in my left ear compared to the physical and mental wounds suffered by some of my friends. It’s weird to come back and feel so detached from everyone around you. Like you are there but you aren’t. I dread opening my social media and seeing the news of another friend that finally succumbed to his demons and lost his battle with PTSD. This war shaped me and my worldview. I will never trust government and media again. Their callous disregard of American and Iraqi lives made me have a visceral resistance to authority and any attempt to control us the citizens of this nation. I refuse to let Americans live in the fear of the man coming in through the door. The man that was me.

[@eduardgindin3763]

I hear you, bro. I deployed twice and I've been on medications for the last five-six years or so...

[@sharonmarket9526]

yeah 👍🏿 never trust tha man stay strong brotha

[@changingworldllc1157]

🤯

[@jasonhuntchicago]

What are you up to these days @listerfiend?

[@yo2trader539]

I fear way too much propaganda--like duty or honour or right vs wrong--is directed towards Americans when it comes to military affairs. It's just war. Someone high up decided it's in US national interests to remove Saddam. No different from Panama or Libya. The primary role of the US military is to serve US interests. Nothing more, nothing less. Militaries rarely get to decide when, where, why, how or with whom to fight.

[@alkha4711]

“War is where the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other.” -Niko Belic

[@WafenienWIGGA]

Exactly

[@Rhythmraver]

Thanks, this was powerful. Hats off to all the men & women that served in the military.🙏❤️

[@jayx3330]

powerful video

[@rachelwyatt6030]

I remember a guy from high school in the early 2000’s who had top colleges wanting him for academics and a baseball scholarship to top schools. He chose to fight for his country. He went to Iraq and came back two years later in a wheelchair. I’ll never forget how depressed and broken he looked. It broke my heart to see young men losing their lives trying to fight for something that they really didn’t understand themselves. I just can’t believe the way they took him in and spit him out when he was no longer useful and then his life was destroyed.

[@Ayat_art_385]

At least he came back to his home but we Iraqi people our fathers brothes kids women died without any resson We died just because our country has a lot of oil

[@Calamity8]

@@Ayat_art_385nothing can fix what has happened in the past but I hope and wish for your countries success and prosperity. War is evil and I hope you and your family are doing better ❤

[@Pedrogog]

Imagine how broke and sad are the families he killed.

[@brickpavingartificialturf247]

Esau/the white, man destroy his own for control of this planet. It is written in the bible.

[@frauflaw100edibleorganicco9]

So.... Ur friend still alive?

[@user-te4cw2sz5o]

Imagine what the civilians of Iraq had to live through. Imagine what the civilians of Iraq had to live through.

[@swempley]

Don't care.

[@UgandanWarriorofHell]

@@swempleygrow up. stop being edgy, kid

[@CarefulHowYouStep]

people care, they just dont understand how much they have been lied to.

[@adewilson132]

Why’d you say it twice?

[@redshift912]

@@adewilson132go read your comics kid .

[@Dr_Skillz1188]

Give Petra a raise and promote Mr Michael. This film was perfect unbiased and incredibly real. Thanks to everyone involved

[@michaelashpole6588]

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world” on his mom being proud of him ❤️

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

We traumatized millions of people, including over a million of our own soldiers...for nothing I was in the Navy, but the more I learn about this nation, the more I despise what its become, and I feel like I served a totally corrupt nation. I totally understand the Vietnam vets rage against the government now...

[@murdock6450]

I feel the same being English.. always hurt as a kid why everyone hated us at sports and just in general, i thought we were the good guys.

[@KarinaLaamri]

​@@murdock6450and most of you still think that way unfortunately.

[@murdock6450]

​@@KarinaLaamri So true.

[@megaham1552]

I wouldn't say getting rid of Saddam was for nothing

[@hobomike6935]

Our government is a crime syndicate now. It's disgusting. Like at least in the 80s and 90s there were some semi-moral people in some of the state and local governments, even if the Feds were corrupt. now pretty much everyone involved in government is a total bag of slime and only in it for the money and the power.

[@updownstate]

My son when he came back from Iraq stayed with us for a month that turned into a year and a half. He said the peace and quiet of our house helped him keep from developing PTSD. He's so changed, and how could he not be? Love you Nick, my huggable heart.

[@ItsjustBlackJackhere]

From hearing this i can tell your an amazing parent, i know that many parents wouldn't want there child who's all grown up living with them, but you understand the comfort he needs

[@kausamsalam8543]

Great parents who provided peace and calmness to a PTSD survivor of war. PTSD comes in many forms to many people, even through gangs’ violence on people.

[@updownstate]

There are questions I don't ask.@@minikonshu6219

[@georgehancock2307]

Advanced Resolution Therapy can help him with PTSD

[@georgehancock2307]

@@thebangbros2013 helped me but it doesnt help everyond

[@MargueriteLaLonde]

Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@nikolozgabedava6934]

Touching stories. Cool small doc film.

[@prenomnom6642]

i don't understand how someone can defend his homeland in another land. the book 1984 is really a masterpiece...

[@retroftw4644]

They were lied to and manipulated.

[@Cian_]

We'll, if there is a fight to be had, I'd rather it in their country than the US

[@siberg6257]

​@@Cian_sure. When exactly did saddam hussein attack the US?

[@misterplunderer9734]

​@@Cian_ so you're the invader...

[@freedomisbrightestindungeons]

United Kingdom declared war on Germany Germany never declared war on UK So how did the UK defend itself by invading Germany

[@pahountisg]

When he said ''They become old'', I got the goosebumps .

[@nymike06]

Well-Said

[@scout-187inf]

I felt that, Nd i could relate.

[@gnarlyandy1]

13:17

[@jasonroberts4526]

I felt that in my soul

[@TsarOfRuss]

Saudi, Iran and North Korea are NEXT.... on the "freedom bomba" list

[@goblin5030]

I cannot imagine losing a brother. Let alone one to his own hand. Thank you for your service from elistment to now.

[@mikehawk4274]

Those men have all been betrayed to the fullest extent.

[@_SteelRain]

Blame the politicians nor the soldiers

[@dagtheking5739]

JPEGMAFIA

[@barisg8656]

No, THEY CHOSE TO JOIN THE ARMY, to serve a bunch of corrupt politicians. Soldiers are equally to blame.

[@Kasa-hz3gz]

The VOLUNTEERED, WAIT TILL THEY TAKE THEIR LAST BREATH!!!

[@fabiankruger262]

@@_SteelRain there are many Americans who are very ignorant when it comes to foreign policy. Just look at how Democrat and Republican supporters fight each other about which party is screwing the country the most efficient

[@555dking]

Imagine what the civilians of Iraq had to live through

[@bmagada]

Most of them? Almost nothing changed. We weren't rolling around like it was the wild west for 20 years. Most of what we did was at a point drive around and wave at people. The invasion and the first 8 years was one thing, the rest was basically politics with the locals and literally giving out millions of dollars to them. At that point you weren't even fighting Iraq anymore but the extremists who would be blowing up their own people, training the locals to defend themselves and building thigs like schools and internet cafes.

[@sestorm2159]

Yes i can imagine that because the small kids, their parents and some fighters came here and relised that crime pays... we also took to many because we are so kind :) SWE

[@tareqbk1870]

@@sestorm2159 what u even talking about

[@sestorm2159]

@@tareqbk1870 I am surrounded by immigrants I have friends that tells me stories and I see it in the news everyday

[@evolvedfish]

I know an Iraqi here in america that lived through it. He never talks about it, just makes people laugh and gives food to people who don't bring lunch, very warm guy.

[@EliasDalton-qi7pi]

Thank you all for your services 🙏😢

[@MzTeriberry]

Thank you you are appreciated

[@user-fq3gs6qh6j]

The older I get, the more I realize that we are all just pawns to a few power-hungry fools. My heart truly goes out to both the Iraqi people and the young men and women who joined the military with the aim to defend our country and do good in the world, but achieved neither and came back with the burden of what really happened

[@tuumi2000]

Come you masters of war You that build the big guns You that build the death planes You that build all the bombs You that hide behind walls You that hide behind desks I just want you to know I can see through your masks You that never done nothin' But build to destroy You play with my world Like it's your little toy You put a gun in my hand And you hide from my eyes And you turn and run farther When the fast bullets fly Like Judas of old You lie and deceive A world war can be won You want me to believe But I see through your eyes And I see through your brain Like I see through the water That runs down my drain You fasten all the triggers For the others to fire Then you sit back and watch When the death count gets higher You hide in your mansion While the young people's blood Flows out of their bodies And is buried in the mud You've thrown the worst fear That can ever be hurled Fear to bring children Into the world For threatening my baby Unborn and unnamed You ain't worth the blood That runs in your veins How much do I know To talk out of turn You might say that I'm young You might say I'm unlearned But there's one thing I know Though I'm younger than you That even Jesus would never Forgive what you do Let me ask you one question Is your money that good? Will it buy you forgiveness Do you think that it could? I think you will find When your death takes its toll All the money you made Will never buy back your soul And I hope that you die And your death will come soon I'll follow your casket By the pale afternoon And I'll watch while you're lowered Down to your deathbed And I'll stand over your grave 'Til I'm sure that you're dead Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Bob Dylan

[@felix-bq1fi]

@@rustyshack2349 clearly, as the biggest mass genocide in history was targeted towards primarily jews, youre insane

[@cozen9673]

I hope in a few years there is know one left to fight because we know now

[@danielmota1095]

Your Statement is very articulate. Old men that are power hungry -fools sending young men to war .

[@LaurenceLionKing]

​@@rustyshack2349. Lmao, fascist.

[@asifkarim7970]

Someone once said: "You'll be in Iraq for a year, but it will take you a lifetime to come home". Couldn't be more true. We constantly hear: "Those who don't learn from history, are bound to repeat it". We have learned NOTHING from Korea, Vietnam, and I'm afraid Iraq.

[@BronxEmperor]

in war there are no winners, only widows & orphans

[@franciscogalindo9936]

I understand Vietnam and Iraq. But why Korea?

[@brettwitzel]

Look at the young men fighting Look at your women crying Look at your young men dying The way they've always done before Look at the hate we're breeding Look at the fear we're feeding Look at the lives we're leading The way we've always done before My hands are tied The trillions shift from side to side And the wars go on with brainwashed pride For the love of God and our human rights And all these things are swept aside By bloody hands time can't deny And are washed away by the genocide And history hides the lies of our civil wars I don't need your civil war It feeds the rich while it buries the poor Your power hungry sellin' soldiers In a human grocery store Ain't that fresh I don't need your civil war Look at the blood we're spilling Look at the world we're killing The way we've always done before Look in the doubt we've wallowed Look at the leaders we've followed Look at the lies we've swallowed And I don't want to hear no more My hands are tied For all I've seen has changed my mind But still the wars go on as the years go by With no love of God or human rights 'Cause all these dreams are swept aside By bloody hands of the hypnotized Who carry the cross of homicide And history bears the scars of our civil wars Whaz so civil 'bout war anyway?

[@HighwayLand]

Don't forget Somalia. And now we are having problems in Syria and Iran. so I am sure you can add them to the list soon enough.

[@Moetastic]

The ones that need to learn from it are the ones that make a buck off of those wars. They are isolated from the horrors of war, so why should they learn, its just a business to them.

[@LilJollyJoker]

Amazing Documentary!

[@nate7892]

i’m sitting here 17 years old tearing up from this video it’s truly heartbreaking what some of these mem/women had to go through at such a young age

[@chilll973]

Navy vet here. This really strikes a chord in me so many young men full of life and potential had their innocence stolen by a government who only wanted to invade foreign countries to steal and pillage I pray that my/our sins are forgiven.

[@irisrose4732]

WELL SAID!

[@JANFU_Nova]

wash away your sins with your blood and join the 22 a day loser

[@123saycheese]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@AaAa-sw5os]

They choose to join

[@ezekielstewart7638]

It’s all because of nimrod do ur research it’s cuz of the stargazer Nephlim ect

[@TOPGUNNER2024]

Imagine a king who fights his own battles. Wouldn't that be a sight? -Achilles

[@careynitch7329]

If only man, if only😔

[@treyjarrell4109]

None but Jesus, and he paid with his life.

[@careynitch7329]

Sky daddy is top G

[@cravinm3613]

@@treyjarrell4109 lol how delusional are you? Jesus didn't exist

[@cravinm3613]

Marcus Aurelius did

[@Theboyfromjupiter]

Humor always survives even in the bleakest of situations, these men are far stronger than I'll ever be

[@user-mh2fr7cp1m]

God Bless these men!

[@Beezi.]

After being in Afghanistan 08-09 I still don’t know what our mission was. We just went on patrol every day and night and reacted to contact. We never really had any offensives other than patrolling new areas and searching houses. It felt like we were just their guarding the opium fields and controlling the drugs. We patrolled the poppy fields, did regular patrols in the bazaar to check the drug prices, let one guy harvest the opium but then the guy down the street we took his opium and blew it up with c4. Nothing made sense other than being the muscle for the drug cartels.

[@vonbayernDE]

Read book : CIA as organized crime.

[@MicrodosingReality]

Don’t be worried someone had a mission - to pump the oil 👌

[@theotisduncanjr1779]

Unbelievable. . Never knew that info

[@Beezi.]

@@theotisduncanjr1779 yeah and I know special forces were hitting compounds that were trying to turn the opium into heroin. So they were okay with opium but not heroin. I guess they probably wanted the opium as is and anyone trying to make heroin out of it was stealing from them. That’s my guess.

[@anpu369]

dam buddy you could've just worked for the cartel. Uncle Sam wants to be the top drug lord, next is to seize Mexican drug operations and fields.

[@patrickgrove3469]

Years later many of these men are stuck in substance abuse ,homelessness prison and police predation of them. PTSD is real.

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

they lost.. thats what they deserve

[@Martel4]

Guess they shouldn't have joined

[@PBRStreetgang911]

All of it deserved after what the USA did to Iraq and it's civilians, what with all the collateral damage. Especially after they pardoned their war criminals. I hope they tear themselves apart as a country.

[@angelolopez2319]

You keep on commenting about us losing, you’re trying to bait a response

[@Uzair823]

This is what happens when elite men at the top control almost everything young men die for ideologies

[@user-jv8kc7bp8e]

This was an Amazing Documentary

[@chikinpork]

Great film. Thank you

[@adventureismydrug]

I was a 22 yr old Marine sgt out there in 03 for the initial push. I spent many years depressed, constantly black out drunk and also attempted suicide as well. I feel like now at 43 I have just finally figured out how to live “normal”. Took me lots of isolation in the Rockie mountains of Colorado to find peace and figure things out. Definitely had to eliminate the hard drinking and had to find purpose in life again. My heart goes out to the veterans and innocent iraqis who all had to suffer because of this war. To all my brothers and sisters just keep moving and take it day by day. Never think you’re the only one feeling that way and eliminate as much stress from your life as possible. It is possible to find peace again but it takes lots of deep work to get there. Hope this can help at least one person who may read it. 🙏🏽

[@saitpradhan]

prayers from nepal 🇳🇵 mate

[@JDog2656]

My respect to you and your service; but if I may ask, if it were something like WW2 fighting the Nazi's and all that concentration camp stuff, do you think you'd feel different. Obviously, its all messed up, but I simply wonder as an objective observer if guys in your shoes would feel any differet.

[@thebeastmaster3453]

@@JDog2656 in wwII it was 19 year olds shooting at other 19 year olds for some ideas that someone else put in their head. At a certain point you realize you’re killing you.

[@InTheShadows000]

​@@JDog2656 I believe you will have a better opinion about you're self because you will genuinely think that you did the right thing but the horrors, the deaths of the people will make you feel the same. There's much more suffering if you're not sure, if you think that you we're the bad guy in the story. You guy's the common soldiers are not the bad guys !!!

[@blackhawk7r221]

IGY 6 brother.

[@abdullahabood3131]

I was 14 in Baghdad when the war happened. I used to practice English with these soldiers. I’m about to get my PhD in a month in the US. I am so lucky to be alive and well.

[@apark4449]

Serious congratulations on the PhD 🎉

[@ahmedrakanrakan]

بدل الحديث عن تجربتك السخيفة،اخبر سكان الكرة الارضية كيف اربع جنود امريكيين بيض اغتصبوا الطفلة عراقية عبير الجنابي وحرقو عائلتها أخبرهم عن سجن ابو غريب وكيف كانوا يغتصبون الزوجة امام زوجها واغتصاب الطفل امام والده وامه، اخبرهم كيف يصرخون على النساء الكبيرات في السن وعلى الاطفال

[@BlackJeepConvertible]

Did you prefer Iraq before we end there or after?

[@moonknightish]

So now you are a servant of the people who invaded you and violated your country and people. Congratulations.

[@remcobuwalda9473]

​@@ahmedrakanrakan be glad for this guy. Not all was bad

[@trippplecup1563]

Appreciate this video

[@druckerman247]

I feel for you guys man. Its awful the lack of support you got in country and after. We haven't forgotten you.

[@Lynnvandenbrink]

That clip of them rolling on the ground laughing really shows how young they all were

[@secrets.295]

And how evil they were

[@crow1628]

@@secrets.295 not evil, how naive and misguided they were

[@douglasstone3177]

@@secrets.295 They were laughing like that due to the intense stress of the situation. They probably were having a pretty tough day when they're buddy got a little goofy and sarcastic on the video and they over-reacted to the comedy in a way that would blow off the excess stress and energy.

[@roar8693]

@@secrets.295 not evil nor young.. thats just military humour mocking how ridiculous the equipment is... we laugh to avoid getting depressed and develop a humour civilians dont agree with..

[@okaunis]

@@crow1628 Are you a murderer too? Do you know how many lawyers use that excuse for a young murderer? They are old enough to be convicted as adults. I hope no one you know becomes a victim. We'll see how "understanding" you are.

[@CPAJayhawk]

I was 16 in 2003, I'll never forget my dad cussing out the recruiting officer that called our house. Thankfully I avoided the wars.

[@aurwood68]

Thank God for your father

[@telosbrah194]

BASED Dad

[@TenTonNuke]

I did the required one month recruiting after basic. They prey on the vulnerable. They specifically target the youth, the lower class, trailer parks, ghettos. With promises of a golden ticket out of poverty. We used to meet with kids behind their parents backs and try to get them to sign contracts. Religion, big tobacco, and the military. The 3 institutions that specifically target the young and impressionable.

[@Dude_bruh]

@@TenTonNuke What does religion do? It seems some what benign. Unless it's megachurches.

[@MexObi]

Your dad is a great man

[@kenzulumovski892]

Incredible documentary. Stay true, stay strong and stay together brothers! From Sydney Australia.

[@mitchellvillareal2066]

The laughing and joking amongst the soldiers is always amazing to me. They’re able to take their situation and make it a humorous situation, somehow, some way.

[@alexjack5158]

You have to laugh because the situation is just unbelievable .

[@evghb]

the brain has many such defense mechanisms; it's survival.

[@dorenecaudell4874]

My son joined the Army to get the benefits he came home a different person had PTSD ended up a drug addict and no longer inhabits this world 😢

[@brickdinero5468]

Bless him and let us remember him 20 years later , however he probably hasn’t been gone so long but still we shalll remember the start of his troubles 20 years ago yesterday

[@Western_Decline]

I’m sorry for your loss.

[@blinktambo255]

What made him join the army ? Did he want to join the army ? Or you told him or forced him to join the army ?

[@whateverheather655]

​@blinktambo255 show some respect for this mom !! It's none of your business why he went into the army!!

[@blinktambo255]

@@whateverheather655 why I would a show respect towards someone who let her son to join an institution that was built upon blood ?

[@kixigvak]

We need to keep our military home. Since WW2 it's been one mistake after another.

[@seanmurphy2365]

And in ww2 the mistake was the us not getting involved earlier

[@mdsign001]

Mistake? Tell that to the American people that profited from it, the American companies that got the "defence" contracts, the American politicians who cemented their power and grifted donations all on the back of "mistakes" ... no mistakes, US wars are deliberate business decisions

[@Mrjackcool2]

@@seanmurphy2365 That's not true. America's 'The Great Depression' among many other factors meant it was very unwise to attack pre-emptively. America's economy had a long way to go.

[@Yabois_]

Yeah. America is the Karen of wars. It engages in conflicts that it has no right to do so in.

[@becca2938]

WW2 was the last war that we genuinely needed to be a part of and we didn't even send our troops out until later, towards the end. Every war after that has just been for greed and power. American Troops have been abused. Our people have been abused. There should be more of an outrage, but no one seems to care.

[@docholliday4489]

War will break a good man. This documentary is proof! Life is a gift. The demons you fight are not worth ending that gift. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice. I salute you!

[@herpowerfulmind]

I pray they all find peace 🙏🏻

[@joanofarcxxi]

“How can you have a war on terrorism when war itself is terrorism?” ― Howard Zinn I majored in social science. In one of my classes, I was required to join a group of young Iraq Veterans who got together and wrote poetry and discussed their experiences during their military service. That class made me feel like I was on a roller coaster. I cried, and I was angry. It was impossible not to feel their anguish, sadness, and regret. They were still young men, but yes, their were old. They were old, battered, tired, defeated men in young bodies. Iraq war was the dumbest, most shameful thing any decent nation could ever have done. I feel sorrow for the young soldiers, and all Iraqi people who lost their lives, their families, and their homes.

[@Marcus_Aurelius_6]

Abdul Qadeer khan

[@kamacazi8]

... Not true, at all.. lol

[@Baard5Szomoru]

​@@kamacazi8 don't you have anyone to go and shoot to death? Lol

[@funmoviesxxx2775]

@@kamacazi8 very true

[@inkstain7193]

a 2nd Vietnam….

[@katiem.6232]

I almost enlisted as a senior in HS in 2001. My grandfather, a WWII veteran, convinced me not to. I’m glad I decided against it because I would’ve been deployed into a pointless war myself. I feel so badly for the trauma my peers had to suffer through from that war.

[@randyice8627]

I was in College when 9/11 happened. Same thing, my Grandfather, a WWII Navy vet, talked me out of joining. God bless the guys that went, but thank God the old man talked me out of it.

[@Mahale_Mel]

You were blessed you had the option not to enlist!! A lot of these young men didn’t including 3 of my 4 Sons! Serving your country is the bravest act anyone can do, including woman. I also had a DIL serve! Afghanistan & Iraq!!

[@baydaissi2702]

@@Mahale_Mel What is it that's brave in going into another country and killing it's civilians?

[@katiem.6232]

Yes, I know. My Nana served as a Marine in WWII after her two cousins were killed at Pearl Harbor. She was in one of the first few female troops deployed. Her passing inspired me to join, but my Papa asked me not to.

[@cyberpunkspike]

@@Mahale_Mel No, 3 of your 4 sons had the choice, I don't care how small your town was. We need electricians, plumbers, general contractors and a million other things right now. Brave yes, just like running across a highway is brave, but it's also reckless and pointless. My first cousin, RIP, didn't die for me... He thought he was fighting for us, because they have to think that to survive, but he wasn't and i wish everyone else in his life told him that so he'd be here with us today.

[@FilmedInMexico_]

Thank you men !

[@gmo7692]

Thank you , welcome home .... for your brother's are always with you ....

[@patchanga33]

Everyone here feeling sorry for the soldiers and what they’ve been through, but no one actually feels sorry for the real victims, the Iraqi people.

[@lnoorplaylist]

nah we're here for Iraqis not for America who habitually destroys other's countries.

[@TheBiggestMoronYouKnow]

because white america hates brown people....

[@Nxt.damian999]

@@lnoorplaylisthere for the Iraqis and Americans who were forced to be In this war

[@Chatterbox-94]

I met a young Iraqi girl in college. She was the only person in her family who spoke English and their home had been blown up and destroyed during the war. That’s the moment I realized that we were the real villains in that war.

[@kendallevans4079]

America is still stuck in the WW2/Cold war mentality of whatever we do, it's always right. The world need to change and wake up and see America for what it is: A imperialistic country that forces other countries to fall in line to our wishes.

[@Emy53]

Watching that little girl dressed in pink, coming down the stairs broke my heart. These were innocent children. That's what I hate about wars.

[@rachaelvaughan1017]

My step dad spent 20 years in the military, and in the Middle East, they don't view women and children the same as they do in Western countries, so that's why they send children or women towards military members with explosives hidden on them because they know that the west view women and children differently.

[@user-og6hl6lv7p]

Why not the same towards young boys?

[@bradyschroeder3677]

@@user-og6hl6lv7p she literally said innocent “children” not innocent “young girls”

[@pandapower5902]

@@user-og6hl6lv7p bruh

[@wenterinfaer1656]

It's called "collateral damage" in the US

[@god-son-love]

I watched this video already. I don't have to watch it again to know what they are going to say. But I still come back here from time to time. It never goes away. World peace!

[@nicolebaker8674]

This is the third time I've watched this since it came out. I've cried at the end every time. That was almost me.... It hurts to see how badly his brother was hurt because, I would've done that to my brother. I still don't know what good came from those wars. Kinda just looks like a lot of suffering all around to me. To those that we harmed... I'm sorry. For what it's worth I'm doing a lot better. I learned how to see beauty in the world again.

[@ahmed_alawsey]

I remember myself as a 8 years old Iraqi kid during the war and the horrible experiences and panic situation that we went through, one of them is 3 am house hit !. It just changes you in an unexplainable way and I always wonder why would the people do such a thing to each other. All the harm for what ? The thousand years of civilization and human history couldn't get us a peaceful getaway !! It was so hard to watch this video.

[@laurita28061]

{ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَوۡلَى ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَأَنَّ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ لَا مَوۡلَىٰ لَهُمۡ } [Sure Muḥammad: 11]

[@supersleepymedic]

I’m so sorry to read what you went through 😞

[@jsweet744]

Sadam threatened to flood the market with oil so the oil companies had to stop him before he ruined their business, now you know.

[@MrTruckerf]

The only reason we were there and fighting mad was the attacks on our country on Sept. 11, 2001. Those hijackers thought they were doing a great thing for their homeland but it sure caused a lot of their people to die later.

[@laurita28061]

@@MrTruckerf Poor you, thinking that what Media told you werw truth

[@DesignByKirk]

I'm an Iraq War veteran and it sickens me when people thank me for my service. People don't really know why they thank veterans for their service -- they do it because they think they are supposed to, or they think they understand what they are saying ... but they don't. If I could go back in time with what I know and change things, I would. Edit: I didn't join because I thought I was doing the right thing or any of the other reasons people like to assume one joins the military. I joined for personal/selfish reasons.

[@justinstuart2202]

Sorry for this but it isn’t your fault when the government lies to you it’s their shame

[@imperialknight342]

i thank you for your service but agree the war was pointless, all it was fought for was revenge.

[@joecater894]

they thank you because you were willing to put yourself in harms way and make a sacrifice if necessary when they know they often wouldn't want to be in that position.. and in many cases they appreciate the toll in takes on a person and that you were willing to wear that burdon because you believed at the time it was defending your country. Its more a general thing rather than specific to a specific conflict or the motivations behind it. They know that some wars are more just than others.. but if it wasnt for people willing to stand up to do that.. then there could be no freedom or peace for their country.

[@rickybuhl3176]

I feel in modern times the "thank you" becomes more of a 'thank you for going instead of me/my kin having to walk in those shoes', rather than necessarily support for whatever action it may have been, some righteous belief in the justice of what was done or calls back to the sentiment of Churchill's 'Never was so much been owed by so many to so few'. I feel it's more "Thank you for taking one for the team" (the people at home not the military nor brothers in arms) more than a thumbs up for the where and the why or the details of what went down that did or didn't reach the airwaves. The Athenian youth sent to the Cretan labyrinth. In previous decades I would have (just as well intentioned but in my naivety..) made a point of shaking hands and thanking someone for their service. The same way I asked my Uncle about his time during WW2 and 'if he'd shot anyone' - as if 7yr old me had a clue. It took a little too long for me to appreciate the different reasons why memory can be fluid with mood and mental health. Take care

[@imperialknight342]

the problem with war is knowing what your fighting for, Iraq was revenge for bush family since they were ridiculed in USA elite society for not taking Saddam down after the gulf war and plus Saddam was a bit of a Hitler, he shot his teacher at 6 years old, became a assassin for a Nazi like political party, committed a night of the long knives of his own, set up his own secret police and dropped gas bombs on Kurdish villages, in many ways Saddam admired and copied Hitler, so now you know why you went the war, i thank you for your service and hope this helps, the Iraq has super weapons just gave bush justification for war in truth they had 1 weapon poison gas , but that is the only bio superweapon Iraq had.

[@user-pd3hq4wu7e]

Thank y’all

[@lcs8512]

I’m so sorry. God bless you all. ❤️🙏🏼

[@Reloykaotica]

I think about it everyday too.... I'm disgusted with what we did in hindsight. Every night I hear Iraq. I hear the wailing woman. we didn't do anything in Iraq. Waste of life. I hope those people recover from what we did. I'm sorry I was a kid I didn't know.

[@gdicommando4456]

The entire region has still yet to recover from what you guys did, and probably will never recover

[@Zp00kie]

It is not your fault. Glad you made it back.

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

you lost.thats your prize

[@danherrick5785]

Everyone seems to be the smart man in the comments. You did what you thought was right because that's what your trained to do. Hindsight is always 20/20. The problem here is one thing. And that is leadership. We didn't have it then, and we don't have it now. Leadership only comes from experience. You have that in spades. Share your truth to others so others can know. Your post shows experience and leadership. Thank you for your service.

[@castrorevenge7332]

@@juanshaftpatel7488 you lost your dad, your prize is having 0 iq

[@richardf.3154]

Spent a year there during the Surge, OIF 07-09. Someone once said: "You'll be in Iraq for a year, but it will take you a lifetime to come home". Couldn't be more true. We constantly hear: "Those who don't learn from history, are bound to repeat it". We have learned NOTHING from Korea, Vietnam, and I'm afraid Iraq.

[@blakebrown534]

At least in Korea we were helping the defenders. Vietnamese thought we were just the French v2.0 trying to make Vietnam a colony so of course they were going to never surrender, but we had no idea they saw it that way. A lot of hubris and arrogance all over.

[@paulflores7322]

False honor, false duty, false service - the world is better off without soldiers and their war crime memories. They protect no one and nothing then or now.

[@asifkarim7970]

hope all the veterans who have joined the military at that time and invaded and killed a country with innocent lives and ra(p)3d innocent women and daughters hope you go through out your PTSD and live a happy life cause God is waiting for you in the after life

[@janeblogs324]

The politicians learned the profit and ability to blame recession cause, the soldiers never had history lessons on nam. When the Japanese are interviewed to this day they don't know what a swastika is/means. Governments control the school curriculum and they decide the taboo topics (follow the science is the latest)

[@vasconcelossentimento]

@@blakebrown534 read up on US military ocupation of Korea before the war, Jeju uprising, Autumn uprising, etc. "Helping the defenders" is an EXTREMELY charitable statement to the US' role in Korea and the Korean war...

[@yatrtiah]

"...19 years old, I fought in a war It's awesome." Words of a broken and lost man

[@edgarmarquis4716]

One never forgets what went on during those time. I was there during Desert Storm 1990 and during Operation Iraqi Freedom. We just got to get keep moving forward. Thank you Brothers and Sister in Army for having my 6 and for being that 1%.

[@amnchara1]

"Once you join you no longer have politics, you're property." Hurts that he is hurting.