Veteran's Iraq War Memories: Birth and Battle

Chris Brogan, an army veteran, shared his profound mixed emotions about being deployed to the Iraq War in 2009, a deployment that began mere days after the birth of his son. At 45, Brogan recalled the excitement of joining the Royal Corps of Signals but emphasized the incredible difficulty of being away.

He expressed deep concern about missing his son's formative first moments, particularly as his family had recently relocated to Germany without local support. Brogan, who joined the military at 16, admitted to having initial desires for "action" but found the reality of war deeply challenging.

His service involved significant hardships, including sleeping in protective "coffins" and enduring daily mortar and rocket attacks. Brogan was diagnosed with complex cumulative post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the armed forces, stemming from witnessing severe humanitarian suffering and dismembered bodies.

In 2011, he had the distinct honor of transmitting the final combat message as British troops withdrew from Iraq. The Royal British Legion is organizing a national commemorative event on May 22nd at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark 15 years since the conflict's conclusion, remembering the 179 British personnel who lost their lives.