Heather Curtis
Many veterans are struggling as they process the deadly situation in Afghanistan.
It has been a chaotic scene at the Hamid Karzai International Airport since the Taliban took over Kabul on Aug. 15. Thursday 13 American service members and at least 169 Afghans were killed in a suicide bombing outside the airport that ISIS-K said it carried out.
“I had quite an emotional response. I and my brothers and sisters in the military feel a lot of responsibility for one another, and quite frankly, I’m really mad. I’ve ready to go over there right now,” Staff Sgt. Mike Morini said. The Montgomery County resident served in Afghanistan from April to December of 2002, served two tours of duty in Iraq and is now in the Army Reserve.
Morini’s not alone in his frustrations, anger and sense of helplessness. He said many of the service members and veterans he’s talk to share those feelings.
Veterans of Foreign Wars spokesperson Robert Couture said many vets – from Afghanistan and other wars – are reaching out to them to vent and get help.
“They’re at home or they’re by themselves, and they’re watching the news, and they feel helpless, and they feel frustrated, and they don’t know what else to do,” said Couture.
Couture said they tell the Afghan vets to keep their heads up and that their service was worth it and valuable. He points out that there hasn’t been another 9/11-style attack on U.S. soil because of their efforts, and Afghans have had a taste of freedom for the last 20 years.
“It didn’t need to be a waste of time. That is why it’s emotional for a lot of us because we did have a lot of successes. We could have easily won at any time if given, you know, taken the leash off of us,” Morini said.
He said there were times when they knew where the enemy was, but they weren’t allowed to get them.
He blames the political class saying they made rules for the service based off of political ideology or short-term goals versus what was necessary to win the fight.
“A lot of the time we’ve been hamstrung by our rules just to not offend people. That’s not a way to win a war, that’s a way to lose it,” said Morini.
Still, Morini doesn’t think the U.S. should maintain a presence in Afghanistan. He said ultimately Afghanistan is Afghanistan’s responsibility.
He called the Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal unrealistic. He said throughout his military career he’s been taught to leave no one behind.
“And yet here we are leaving Americans to the mercy of the Taliban,” Morini said.
Morini feels like he should turn off the news but says he has to pay attention so he is aware of current and future threats.
Couture said there are lots of resources for veterans struggling as they watch the situation unfold. He said the VFW can link veterans up with help through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Vets 4 Warriors Give an Hour. Those in need of immediate help can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.
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