Was It Worth It?
What did I just spend my life doing? Was it worth it?
That’s a question I imagine many veterans of the Global War on Terror are asking themselves right now. As we watch the situation unfold in Afghanistan, it’s hard not to feel frustration, anger, and heartbreak.
So many lives lost. So many lives forever changed. And for what ?
A few short months of stability before our enemies reoccupied the territory—sitting in our bases, driving our vehicles, holding our weapons.
It’s enough to make anyone cry, punch a wall, or yell at the news in sheer disbelief. I’ve done all three.
Even for those who didn’t serve, the confusion is real. Watching this happen makes people ask: Was it all for nothing ? Looking at the national debt, the years of war, the human cost—it’s natural to ask, what else are we wasting money on ? And what, exactly, are our leaders doing ?
I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I’m not sitting in a room with real-time intelligence or leading any strategic planning on the ground. Like most of us, I’m watching the news, trying to make sense of it all.
But here’s what I do know:
I can control how I respond. I can control how I think. And most importantly, I can control how I show up—for myself, and for others.
Before we get to that, let’s speak a few hard truths.
The Promise and the Purpose
On September 12, 2001, President George W. Bush stood in the rubble of the Twin Towers and promised the world we would make the extremists pay.
And if there’s one thing history teaches, it’s this: don’t mess with Americans.
From the Revolutionary War, to World War II, to the early days in Afghanistan—we have always been capable of unleashing focused, righteous violence in defense of our people.
Did we accomplish that in the early years? Yes. We hit the Taliban with relentless force. We hunted down Osama Bin Laden. And for years, we kept the pressure on.
But why did we serve ?
Most of us didn’t sign up for strategy or to stabilize foreign governments. We served because it was the war of our generation, and we felt a calling to do our part.
Over time, our mission became simpler—and more personal: protect the person next to you.
We fought for our brothers and sisters in uniform. We led so that others might live. And that alone is reason to be proud.
That’s what drove me as a leader. Bringing my people home.
And I did that.
And I will carry that pride for the rest of my life.
What Happened?
I won’t lie—what we’re seeing now hurts.
My last two deployments to Afghanistan were in an advisory capacity. I worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Afghan soldiers, helping train and equip them for the fight they knew was coming.
I told them: We won’t be here forever. One day, this will be your fight.
And now… we wonder why they didn’t fight. Why it crumbled.
Was it all a waste?
No. It wasn’t.
We did our jobs.
We gave years—sometimes the best years of our lives. Some gave everything.
We pushed back darkness, and for a time, we brought peace.
But now it’s their fight. Just like we had to claim our own freedom, others must do the same.
Evil is Patient
Another 10, 20, even 30 years in Afghanistan wouldn’t have changed the core truth: Extremism doesn’t run on timelines. Evil waits.
The Taliban, like all forms of tyranny, are patient and deceptive.
But there are still people in Afghanistan—brave people—who understand this.
And they will fight. They have to. Because we can’t fight it for them anymore.
Where We Go From Here ?
So what do we do now?
We turn to each other.
Not just veterans—all Americans.
Our country is hurting. We’re angry for a million different reasons. But beneath all that, we share a common thread—a shared existence, bound by opportunity, freedom, and responsibility.
It’s time to step away from the noise. Turn off the news. Tune out those pushing division for their own gain.
Focus inward:
- Take care of yourself.
- Show up for your family.
- Connect with your neighbor.
Even if it starts with a simple gesture or a shared meal—make it real. Make it matter.
Because evil doesn’t just live overseas—it thrives on division here at home. And the only way forward is together.
It’s time to bridge the divide.
It’s time to be proud to be American—again.