YANKTON, S.D. (KTIV) -
This week marks a decade since the start of the war in Iraq. Was it worth it? America is still divided over the answer.
U.S. leaders never found the weapons of mass destruction they were searching for, but instead, toppled Saddam Hussein, and brought free elections to the Middle Eastern state.
Wednesday, KTIV reached out to the Briest family to get their perspective.
The name may sound familiar. In December of 2005, South Dakota Guardsman Corey Briest was nearly killed when an I.E.D. exploded near his military convoy in Iraq.
Shrapnel hit Briest in the head. He suffered a severe brain injury. Because of that, he has trouble with movement, speech, and is legally blind.
As you can imagine, the lives of Briest and his family have changed dramatically. They've traveled the nation, becoming advocates for disabled veterans. While at home, they still fight a war for Corey's independence in a handicap accessible house, built by the people of Yankton.
Looking back, Corey and his family agree, their losses in Iraq were worth the cost.
"We live in the best country there is to live in. We have our freedoms. For them to go over and help that country have just a little bit of what we have here, it was worth it," said Corey's wife Jenny.
"I'd do it all again," said Corey. "I would."
More than one million U.S. troops were deployed in Iraq. Forty-five-hundred were killed. Briest is one of the 32,000 wounded.
We'll have more from the interview with the family, Wednesday night on News Four at 10.
© "I'd do it all again," said Corey. "I would."
