Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, veterans who served in the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are reflecting on their motivations for enlisting, the perceived achievements of their missions, and the complex legacy of two decades of conflict.

For many, the day of the attacks remains a vivid memory. John Byrnes was at Hunter College in Manhattan when he witnessed the North Tower collapse, prompting him to report to his National Guard armory and subsequently serve in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Chris Hoff, then studying to become a special-education teacher, felt compelled to return to military service after seeing the towers fall from the New Jersey shoreline. He deployed to Afghanistan twice, sustaining injuries that ended his military career.

Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., then a businessman, was moose hunting in remote Alaska when he learned of the attacks. He felt a personal obligation to serve, joining the Air National Guard and deploying to Afghanistan for combat search and rescue.

Brandon Newberry, then 16, saw the news in a Spanish classroom and felt a profound sense of hopelessness, leading him to join the Marine Corps to be closer to the fight. Michael Matthews was already serving in the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2003, where his team was hit by an improvised explosive device, resulting in severe injuries and a long recovery.

Divergent Views on War Decisions

As these veterans look back, their perspectives on the wars initiated in response to 9/11 vary. Byrnes distinguishes between the necessity of the Afghanistan mission and what he views as the unnecessary intervention in Iraq. He also expressed regret over the prolonged duration of the Afghanistan engagement.

Downing, while proud of his service and that of his fellow soldiers, called the U.S. withdrawal under the Biden administration a "blemish" that "squandered everything that we gained there." He urged veterans not to let this final outcome diminish the honor of their individual sacrifices.

Newberry felt the U.S. "fumbled the ball" in its efforts to establish a lasting government and security force in Afghanistan, stating that the conclusion of the war was a tragedy that made him question if his years of service were "for nothing."

Personal Sacrifice and Evolving Purpose

The physical and psychological toll of these conflicts is also a significant part of their reflections. Hoff spent 20 years in military service and later in prison, eventually finding help through the Wounded Warrior Project and equine therapy. Matthews' injuries from an IED attack in Iraq ended his hopes of a military career but gave him a new purpose in helping other veterans.

Despite the complex outcomes and personal costs, the veterans express pride in having answered their country's call. Matthews noted, "We’re proud of what we did. Even though we may not have fully understood what we were doing or why we were doing it."

Byrnes emphasized the importance of military and political leaders looking beyond immediate objectives and acknowledging when strategies are failing, suggesting that a culture of reporting only positive outcomes can obscure strategic shortcomings.