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NC vets reflect on Desert Storm

In the 20 years since the U.S. launched air strikes over Baghdad to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi invasion, veterans in North Carolina have reflected on their service and drawn comparisons between their time in the Middle East and the conflict that continues there today.

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — In the 20 years since the U.S. launched air strikes over Baghdad to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi invasion, veterans in North Carolina have reflected on their service.

In an event Sunday at Cape Fear museum in Fayetteville, veterans also drew comparisons between their time in the Middle East and the conflict that continues there today.

"We did a good job. We won," said Chris Woodson, an Army National Guard veteran.

Air Force veteran Jim Greathouse said he couldn't believe 20 years has passed since he fought in the 42-day offensive.

Greathouse was one of about 20 veterans who gathered at the museum to share their experiences and take a moment to remember the conflict.

Probyn Thompson helped bring the vets together and compile items from his time in the war.

"I knew the time was coming up. I was thinking about what I could do and I started pulling some of my old material from the war," said Thompson, an Air Force vet.

Tables inside the museum were lined with certificates, boots, trading cards and other memorabilia from Operation Desert Storm. Vets shared their stories and compared their experiences to the battles being fought today in Iraq.

"They use their cell phones to call home," Greathouse said. "I called home once in that whole time period. That was the one telephone call I had."

But while technology has changed, Greathouse said, the soldiers' dedication remains the same.

 

 

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