NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The news out of Afghanistan is leading to a wave of emotions for those who saw the conflict up close.
It has been difficult for veterans who gave their blood, sweat and tears while serving in Afghanistan to see the nation devolve into chaos and carnage as the Taliban took over the capital of Kabul following the decision by the U.S. to withdraw it forces.
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"They were told when they came back that their mission was accomplished, that they had secured something for the long-term benefit of Afghanistan and to see it completely in control of the Taliban right now is really devastating," said Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. "For those who served over there, especially those who saw real combat, lost friends, family members, this is going to be especially challenging."
Butler wants those veterans to know that they were still successful in their mission.
"Their service was not wasted," Butler said. "I think despite the challenges the country now faces the fact that so many Afghans understand freedom, understand what it means to be educated, understand what it means to have an ability to chart their own future. I think it can't be understated how important that is for the future of Afghanistan despite how bleak it is right now. I think it's very important that the veteran and military community remembers that."
"There should be no doubt, for those that did serve, that their service was honorable and they should be proud of what they did," Butler added.
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In remarks delivered from the White House on Monday, President Joe Biden says he stands "squarely behind'' his decision to pull troops from the country, while conceding "this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated."
There is frustration among most veterans of the war, but beyond that Butler said opinions vary.
"Everything from 'it doesn't matter to how bad things are, the decision to get out was long overdue' to 'we should still have servicemembers over there fighting the Taliban and we should stay for as long as it takes,'" Butler said.
He tells WCBS 880's Peter Haskell that the U.S. needs to do everything it can to rescue the country's allies, including interpreters and others left behind.
"We have left thousands of our allies out to dry unfortunately," Butler said. "We encouraged Afghans to stand up, to fight for these freedoms, to educate their women and girls, to start businesses, and now as we leave the country we see those opportunities rapidly fading away."
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Biden vowed to continue to support the safe departure of U.S. allies still serving in Afghanistan.
The war was designed to stop the threat of terror, but now with the Taliban back in control, Butler fears this could open the door to a new wave of terrorism.
"I think it is a very scary prospect as to what Afghanistan will become in terms of another safe haven through the training and recruitment and deployment of terrorists," Butler said.
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