Reflections of Veterans 25 Years After 9/11

John Byrnes was swimming in a pool at Hunter College in Manhattan on the morning of September 11, 2001, when he stepped outside for coffee and heard sirens blaring down Lexington Avenue. He learned a plane had hit the World Trade Center and moments later witnessed the North Tower collapse on a campus television. Byrnes immediately made his way toward his National Guard armory and spent the subsequent two weeks helping secure Ground Zero.

His life took a different path thereafter, including deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of the five veterans who spoke with Fox News Digital ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 recalls where they were upon learning of the attack and how that day altered the course of their life and military service. Some were already in uniform. Others included individuals such as a successful businessman and a teenager who watched the attacks unfold on TV at school, and subsequently felt compelled to enlist.

Chris Hoff, reflecting on the past, emphasized the differences between the wars, especially the initial decision to respond to the terrorist attacks versus the prolonged efforts in the war on terror.

Byrnes, now serving as a strategic director at Concerned Veterans for America, recalled, “The decision to go to Afghanistan was absolutely necessary. The decision to go to Iraq was not.” He noted, “The decision to stay in Afghanistan for so long was unfortunate, stemming from that day,” adding how decisions that seemed justifiable at the time contributed to ensuing consequences.

Veterans voiced pride in their service, believing they protected Americans by keeping the fight “over there.” Yet they question the extended mission, the outcomes of two decades of war, and whether the country honored the sacrifices it asked of them.

Chris Hoff, once working for the state Department of Corrections while studying to become a special education teacher, decided to return to service after witnessing the towers fall from the New Jersey shoreline. He reaffirmed his military commitment and deployed to Afghanistan twice. Though forced to end his military career due to multiple concussions, Hoff shared his journey emphasizing the importance of seeking help, crediting the Wounded Warrior Project and equine therapy for saving his life.

Hoff urged veterans to seek assistance, stating, “If I can help just one soldier… it’s okay to get help. I’m glad I did.”

Michael Matthews was already in the Army when the attacks occurred. Deploying to Iraq in 2003 with one of the first divisions to cross the Kuwaiti border, Matthews’ team encountered an IED, leading to serious injuries that changed his career trajectory from military service to helping veterans and the broader community.

Despite pondering the wars’ purposes, veterans like Matthews still feel pride in their service. Matthews shared, “We’re proud of what we did, even though we may not have fully understood what we were doing or why.”

Rep. Troy Downing, once moose hunting in Alaska, learned of the attacks via radio after several days without overhead planes. Reflecting on his own service contributions and sacrifices made by others, Downing emphasized that veterans should recognize their honorable service, implying the withdrawal under former President Joe Biden squandered prior gains but should not diminish their sense of accomplishment.

Brandon Newberry joined the Marine Corps in 2006 with intentions of being close to the combat zone, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Reflecting on the U.S. presence, Newberry noted improvements in local communities, including women attending school and practicing medicine, but expressed regret over perceived failures in establishing lasting security and governance structures.

As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, the veterans’ reflections present varied views on the Middle East engagements that followed. Byrnes pinpointed one key takeaway from the post-9/11 wars: the necessity for leaders to recognize shortcomings in strategies and not fear admitting vulnerability.

Despite physical and mental casualties endured, these veterans express both pride in serving and frustration over the wars’ prolonged or expansive trajectories, displaying distinct perspectives on the U.S. contributions in a 20-year endeavor in the region.