Veterans Reflect on the Legacy of the Global War on Terrorism 25 Years After the September 11 Attacks

The Global War on Terrorism began 25 years after the September 11 attacks, leaving a lasting impact on the nation. More than two million American service members served in the conflicts that followed, with over 7,000 dying and 53,000 wounded. Daniel Socci, a Marine lieutenant who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, noted that while the U.S. military successfully dismantled Al Qaeda's terror network, the process of nation-building in Afghanistan was often difficult to connect with clear strategic objectives. He observed that the Afghan police often pursued the goals of their local chiefs rather than a central government. John Byrnes, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of Congress in authorizing military action. He argued that Congress should take responsibility for the lives of service members by voting to approve military actions and defining clear objectives. Michael, a Marine Corps combat veteran, reflected on the transition of the war from a mainstream cultural phenomenon to a historical era. He noted that while the support of the public and the youth changed over the time, the sacrifices of the veterans remain a permanent part of their personal history.

Sources

• MS NOW
  A Marine and a CIA operative on their lives in the wars after 9/11
• USA Today
  I guarded Ground Zero and served in Middle East. Then I saw a pattern.
• The War Horse
  The Global War on Terrorism Is Over—Except for the Veterans Who Fought It

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Paywall and unreadable sources

• The New York Times
  9/11 Led Them to Enlist. Here’s What They’re Saying Now.
• KSN.com
  25 years later, Kansan who lost legs in Afghanistan War reflects on 9/11