Veterans react to President Barack Obama's Afghanistan plan

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By Christy Hutchings - bio | email

THUNDERBOT, GA (WTOC) - So what do you think of President Barack Obama's call for 30,000 additional troops to fight in Afghanistan? With so many of our neighbors serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years, we want to know. At Thunderbolt's American Legion Post, veterans were glued to the television, listening to the latest plan from the president, and hearing what they think of the decision.

Most of the folks there are veterans. They know first hand what combat is like, and they know the President's decision to send more troops didn't come easily.

"It's a tough decision that had to be made, under the pressures of the world's dilemma, or our dilemma with the Iraq war, however it's decision that had to be made. I myself feel it's the rightful decision." said Bryan Roussell.

Nancy Black didn't share his sentiments. "My youngest grandson is fixing to be deployed, it's very upsetting."

She'd hoped the President would not send more troops, which would have possibly kept her grandson out of harm's way, but she knows that's her wish, not her grandson's.

"My grandson is very anxious to go. This is something he wants to do, and I am very proud of him. It's just really hard to know he's going to go," said Black.

Doug Andrews, Chatham County's Veteran of the Year, says we have to get the job done. He says tonight made him think back on his old friend, Charlie Hearn, who passed away Monday. Hearn was a world war two vet, and Andrews firmly believes hearn would agree with the president's decision.

Andrews said, "Charlie Hearn was a fighter to the end. God Bless him. He believed in this country and personal sacrifice and doing what needed to be done. That was a role model he lived and we need to emulate that and not forget the sacrifice that have been made then, made in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the sacrifices to be made."

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