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Tonya Papanikolas reporting Sunday, people across the country expressed strong opinions on the war in Iraq. People in Utah either used this anniversary to speak out against the war or express support for it.
There are plenty of local people on both sides.
"Retaliation was sworn as the nation was torn, like a wilted rose bouquet, slung and thrown."
Anti-war activists met in the Salt Lake library today to reflect on the third anniversary of the war in Iraq.
Aaron Davis, Veterans for Peace: "It was pre-emptive and imperialistic."
Dayne Goodwin, Wasatch Coalition for Peace & Justice: "We don't think it's accomplished anything except cause a lot of death and destruction."
Joan Maymi, who lost a nephew in the war, says people still didn't know why our government invaded Iraq. Many emphasized the high cost of trying to bring democracy to Iraq.
Aaron Davis, Veterans for Peace: "We're not just paying money, we're also having suffering veterans coming home for many decades."
Meanwhile, others today expressed their commitment to the war; like the mother and wife of Sgt. Tom Chilcott. Chilcott has been in Iraq almost a year.
Lynnae Chilcott, Husband in Iraq: "I couldn't have let him get on that plane and leave if I didn't know that was the right thing to do."
Lynnae Chilcott says her husband has worked on projects for Iraqi school kids and helped rebuild waterways and electrical systems.
Lynnae Chilcott, Husband in Iraq: "They have the right to live their lives without being in fear every day, and that, to me, is the most important reason for them being over there."
Sgt. Chilcott's mother agrees. She has three children who have served in Iraq as soldiers or civilian contractors.
Candace Chilcott, Son in Iraq: I'm like most moms - scared of my kids wanting to do that, but proud to death of them for doing it."
If all goes as planned, Sgt. Chilcott should be coming home in the next couple months. His family is happy about that.
Many of the anti-war activists today wanted people to know they also support and respect the troops , but they believe the soldiers and airmen should not have to risk their lives for the war.
