Herrin vet reflects on Iraq invasion anniversary - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

March 19 marks the 10th anniversary of the invasion into Iraq.

The war in Iraq claimed more than 4,000 lives, injuring 30,000 others.

"I felt obligated in that point of time," said Iraqi war veteran Chris Cornell.

He says it's hard to imagine it's been ten years since the Iraq invasion began.

Deployed for a year back in 2008, he experienced a life he says many of us could never understand.

"Not a week goes by where I don't think about it or smile or the different experiences or stories that we shared that will be ours for a lifetime," said Cornell.

He witnessed tragedy and lost friends.

"Run missions constantly, it was hot there were dust storms," he said.

And after returning home, he is still fighting battles all his own.

"I get misty a lot of times, thinking of the guys still in Afghanistan. I think of the guys coming back with troubles are unable to cope in civilian life, or who are homeless," he said.

The loss of his own brother, Kyle who after returning home from his deployment in Afghanistan took his own life.

"It was too much for him to deal with, which is not uncommon," Cornell recalled.

Which compelled Cornell to become a commander at a local VFW to help other war veterans dealing with similar problems.

"That's my victory, that's a good day," he said.

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