Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their relatives and friends share their thoughts about returning to the United States.

1. Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan,
and their relatives and friends
share their thoughts
about returning to the United States.

2. What was it like coming home?
“Like a cold shower, couldn’t breathe,
made me wanna cry, and at last,
refreshing.”
- Tito Gonzalez, La Grange IL

3. What was it like coming home?
“Seeing these young men and women
returning from multiple combat tours from
these recent wars, brings up disturbing
memories of what I saw in southern Iraq,
and Somalia. It stays with you - always.”
- Ron Brown, Indio CA

4. What was it like coming home?
“Coming back from 11 months in Iraq
was incredible… a greater appreciation
for what I have here, and what others
don’t have elsewhere.”
- Shaun Brown, Chesapeake VA

5. What was it like coming home?
“It is horrible for National Guard
because you come back and you are
told to just get back to normal life. If
you have problems, call the V.A. How
many people self refer?”
- Lamont Tanksley, Bremerton WA

6. What was it like coming home?
“I'm amazed that even though I'm just
a few years older, their generation has
had to be so much more grown up
than my own.”
- Julie Hammers, Boston MA

7. What was it like coming home?
“…I was medivacked out of Fallujah Nov. 9,
2004, spent the next 8 months in the
hospital … I spent the next 6 years
struggling with my PTSD… Finally the
Wounded Warrior regiment got a hold of
me last year and put me into the Shepherd
Center for 5 months. There I became the
Man and Marine I used to be before I left.
Now I mentor and motivate other Vets…”
- James Sperry , Collinsville IL

8. What was it like coming home?
“Terrible, could not adapt back into
civilian life, no emotions towards my
wife and child. Been in therapy since
2006 and problems still persist.”
- Nick, Burbank CA

9. What was it like coming home?
“Everyone expects you to be happy,
but that didn't really happen. It was
good to be home, but I wasn't happy
and couldn't fake it, either.”
- Shawnice Shankle, Alliance OH

10. What was it like coming home?
“A relief.
Also a sense of displacement.
And a sense that daily life here is less
intense and meaningful than there.”
- Paul Albin, Austin TX

11. What was it like coming home?
“When I returned home after my last
deployment it was very difficult for me to
communicate with anyone. After about a
year things seemed to get a little better,
but as time went on and daily life issues
arose my life became very stressful. I have
PTSD.”
- Tim Gallegos , Denver CO

12. What was it like coming home?
“Each time was different. Each time I
had a different outlook on my
deployment and life in general. ”
- Jon Cambric , Las Vegas NV

13. What was it like coming home?
“As a unit leader, I had strong sense of
accomplishment seeing my family and my
troops with their families during the welcome
ceremony on x-mas eve.”
- Gil Florez, CA

14. What was it like coming home?
“I realized from my first day back that I
was lost and wanted to go back. I
couldn't relate to things, or people, the
same way, after Iraq…”
- James Montgomery, Indianapolis IN

15. What was it like coming home?
“The actual event was great. Trying to
get back to the civilized mindset was
hard.”
- Andrew Ralston, Minneapolis MN

16. What was it like coming home?
“Coming home was great... process
to get home was painful.”
- Michael Garner, Boise ID

17. What was it like coming home?
“… Overall feeling like I'm getting a second
chance at life and not to take anything for
granted.
I literally kissed the ground when our plane
landed…”
- Gilmar Valladares, Van Nuys CA

18. What was it like coming home?
“Relieving but scary at the same
time.”
- Elijah Walters, Hilton Head Island SC

19. What was it like coming home?
“10 times harder than going there.”
- Christopher Ouhrabka, McKinney TX

20. What was it like coming home?
“If more people were able to understand
the importance of country, and appreciate
the luxuries we take for granted, if only.”
- Dexton Kotora, Alhambra CA

21. What was it like coming home?
“It was hard to adjust to my old
routine. I got married about six months
before I left for Afghanistan and my
first few months back were like
starting over.”
- Kyle Moses, El Paso TX

22. What was it like coming home?
“Being deployed in Afghanistan, its like you
are in this bubble, and all you have is your
experience, your equipment, and your
team. Coming home was different because
everything I gave up to go down range, I
had to work twice as hard to gain again.”
- Courtney Morris, Atlanta GA

23. What was it like coming home?
“I am a Vietnam veteran. There was
a quietness about coming home…
I appreciate the evolution of the
national attitude that celebrates the
service of the more recent
veterans.”
- David Swoyer, New Smyrna Beach FL

24. What was it like coming home?
“I’m a spouse and my husband came
back from Iraq in July... He said it was
weird how everyone was focused on
such trivial stuff/entertainment ‘news’
and not the important issues going on
in the world.”
- Michelle Nolan, Carlisle PA

25. What was it like coming home?
“I was deployed during a time when
we couldn't call home, so my husband
felt like a total stranger when I came
back. It was sad, it was nerve racking,
but then it was kind of fun- like falling
in love all over again.”
- Carrie Donoho, Alhambra CA

26. What was it like coming home?
“My husband did three short tours in
Afghanistan… I have always had a
moral objection to war, and being
married to a reservist has not been
easy… But alas, once he was home it
was sweet, and everything else faded
to the corners of my mind. ”
- Kristen Rainone, Dallas TX

27. What was it like coming home?
“Joyful at first, but then the reality of
living with PTSD set in after the first
few weeks.”
- Emily Armstrong, Indianapolis IN

28. What was it like coming home?
“Home felt alien to me for six
months and I had anxiety attacks.”
- Sarah Balter, Atlanta GA

29. What was it like coming home?
“It’s like Christmas eve as a child. I had
so much anxiety. It’s truly great to be
home with family.”
- Frederen Wimberly, Shreveport LA

30. What was it like coming home?
“It was maddening to hear inane
conversations on the grocery store or
the upset that civilians have with
everyday experiences, after one of
your 'brothers' was blown up just 14
days prior. ”
- Matt Holzmann, Vista CA

31. What was it like coming home?
“I was welcomed home with amazing
healthcare, education and re-
assimilation programs.”
- Shane Jones, San Pedro CA

32. What was it like coming home?
“Beer didn't taste any better, the
novelty of good food wore off quickly
and women didn't throw themselves
at us when we entered a room …
Time, it seemed, had stopped at home
and while I had changed, it hadn't.”
- Carlos Ruiz, Chula Vista CA

33. What was it like coming home?
“I felt guilty seeing men and women
forever changed by disabilities that
they don't deserve.
Here I was home, unscathed, and
consumed by the guilt of being lucky.”
- William Havins, Oklahoma City OK

34. What was it like coming home?
“Unspeakable joy to be back with
the family. My return was grounded
in knowing I was exiting the military
to pursue a civilian career.”
- Anthony Brice, Gulf Breeze FL

35. What was it like coming home?
“When I left I had 2 jobs and lived
comfortably; coming home I had no
job, no prospect of one, and moved in
with my mom.
No one I lived near understood
anything I had been through.”
- Emily Winslow, Indianapolis IN

36. What was it like coming home?
“A year in Afghanistan and a year
home don't weigh the same in your
life. It is difficult to adjust, but I
appreciate what I have more. ”
- Cooper Cash, Front Royal VA