Operation Iraqi Freedom: 20 Year Check Up

March 19, 2003

A coalition of forces from around the world initiated Operation Iraqi Freedom. I watched it on television in the S-3 Shop of 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. You see, we had been to Afghanistan already. In fact, I was home less than three months when the war in Iraq started.

It was reminiscent of the early stages of Desert Shield/Desert Storm with lots of footage of Tomahawk missiles, air defense weapons, long range artillery, and air strikes. We all knew the ground invasion was coming and even though we had just returned from combat, there was a rumbling around the headquarters that was undeniable: We Should Be There.

No kidding.

It was a building full of warriors watching a war on television. We felt that is where we needed to be. We all had friends over there. We knew a no-shit war was coming. Army vs Army. Tanks and artillery. Bombing. Attack helicopters. This wasn’t clearing caves and houses, looking for low end terrorists. This was a shooting war and we wanted to be there.

Stories started to filter back in the coming weeks and months. We were hearing about “Thunder Runs”, Objectives Moe, Larry, and Curly, a combat jump onto Baghdad International Airport that never happened and one into northern Iraq that did.

I ended up being a “late-comer” to the war in Iraqi, not stepping foot on Iraqi soil until 2007. I did spend some time in northern Iraq, back with my fellow Paratroopers in 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne in the fall of that year. And again, heading to Baghdad in 2008-09 with that same amazing organization.

It is estimated that over one million Americans served in Iraq. Yeah, a million. Whatever your feelings are about the war, supporting it or not, there were a million of us that went. Real people. People you know. We are the ones who are likely the most critical of what happened in Iraq, asking the questions of “why?” and “was it worth it?”.

We are also the most protective of our time there. Many of us lost friends and compatriots in those years. While we are apt to criticize why we were there and what we were doing, it is harder to hear that kind of criticism from those that never went. I’m just being honest.

But it’s been 20 years now and those edges are starting to dull. We are all getting older. The images are starting to dull a little. Some things have been completely forgotten. It’s been 20 years.

Days like this, though, are the days they come rushing back. Anniversaries are tough. Major days like this, especially for those who were there waiting to “kick it off” in 2003, are the days Veterans struggle with the most. I know, its been 20 years….but it’s also ONLY been 20 years.

If you know a Veteran or you are a Veteran of the war in Iraq, check on them today. Check on each other. Reach out. This is the first day of many in the next few months were those folks who were there in 2003 are going to struggle. PTSD is real. It’s not made up. It’s not bullshit. It’s not weakness.

For all the Veterans out there…it’s time for your 20 Year Check Up.

Side Note: If you only served in Kuwait or Saudi Arabia and not Iraq….It’s not the same thing. IYKYK

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