As President Donald Trump deliberates the United States’ potential military involvement in Iran, a group of Chicago veterans has shared their critical views on the matter.
While these veterans voice their concerns, a peaceful protest took place at Daley Plaza organized by advocates urging the White House to reconsider military action.
The protesters emphasized the resilience of the Iranian people in their struggle against the Islamic regime, advocating for a civil revolution rather than foreign military intervention.
Marine veteran Alejandra Hernandez expressed her skepticism about further U.S. involvement, stating, “I feel that we have already done so much in the past that hasn’t gotten us anywhere.”
Hernandez noted that previous conflicts have only intensified the issues veterans face upon returning home.
Frank Gutierrez, a veteran who served in both the Marine Corps and Army Reserves, highlighted the personal toll of his experiences, saying, “The hardest part about deploying is coming home.”
Many of Gutierrez’s friends didn’t survive their tours, which adds to the grief he carries from his military service.
Gutierrez candidly discussed the struggles veterans face while transitioning back to civilian life, revealing that some of his comrades have tragically taken their own lives.
Army veteran Marcus Perkins, who fortunately did not serve in combat, has heard countless stories of the mental struggles faced by combat veterans while receiving treatment at the Jesse Brown VA Hospital.
Perkins noted, “There’s been so many things that you hear that sleepless nights, worried about people behind them, just whole lot of things that mentally just bother them.”
The discussions about military action come amidst a barrage of Iranian missiles that struck a hospital in southern Israel, leading President Trump to convene in the White House situation room.
The administration has indicated that a decision regarding U.S. involvement will be made within the next two weeks.
On Wednesday, Trump stated, “I’d like to make the decision one second before it’s due, because it’s war.”
Gutierrez expressed his concerns about hastily entering another conflict, saying, “My experience with war is it should never be made on a whim.”
He advocates for a democratic process where every American has a stake in the decision-making through their vote.
Both Gutierrez and Perkins urged President Trump to prioritize a diplomatic solution, emphasizing that while entering conflict may seem easy, exiting it is a much more complicated task.
Perkins remarked, “It’s easy to get in, hard to get out,” reflecting the long-lasting consequences of military engagement in the Middle East.
Veterans alike fear the prospect of yet another prolonged conflict, particularly when the aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan left many veterans with enduring health and mental health challenges.
Gutierrez pointed out, “We’re not even meeting the needs of our current veterans, you know. And we don’t need to add another 20 years of combat veterans, you know, medical mental health issues, drug addictions.”
Gutierrez hopes that should the U.S. decide on military intervention, President Trump will seek Congressional approval first, ensuring a thorough discussion regarding an exit strategy.
image source from：abc7chicago
