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New Yorkers Sound Off About End of Iraq War

By Della Hasselle | December 15, 2011 7:47pm

UPPER EAST SIDE — Hours after the United States declared an end to the Iraq War, New Yorkers remained divided about the quiet termination of the nearly 9-year Middle Eastern conflict.

The news came at 5:15 a.m. Thursday with a somber and simple ceremony held at Baghdad's International airport. A single flag that flew over the U.S. mission was folded following a ceremony that included tribute speeches and a declaration of success — but no Iraqi government officials, according to the Washington Post.

In front of the Park Avenue Armory, New Yorkers shared a range of thoughts Thursday afternoon about a war that started under President George Bush and led to the deaths of nearly 4,500 U.S. troops.

"I'm really happy that the U.S. ended the war with Iraq today, because I think it was mostly for capital gain," said 18-year-old student Destiny Thompson, of Maine, who plans to move to New York.

"If anything, instead of stimulating our economy, like most wars have in the past, it has completely run us into the ground."

For veteran and banker Khalid Azim, the end of the war was a point of honor for the troops who had left their families and lost friends during the conflict.

"I'm thrilled that they're coming home. They served honorably and courageously," said Azim, who served in the U.S. Navy for five years. "I know the sacrifices these families put forth and I'm so proud of the way they handled themselves."

Others were surprised to find that the war had even ended, and some insisted that the news wouldn't change much in world politics.

Out of the 4,477 U.S. soldiers to die in the Iraq War, 188 came from New York State, according to reports.  Tens of thousands of Iraqis also died in the war, which began in 2003 after Saddam Hussein's regime was suspected of having weapons of mass destruction.

Despite the numbers, or maybe because of them, some New Yorkers didn't seem to know how to feel.

"My opinion on the end of the Iraq War is mixed," said small business owner and Queens resident Tigran Golyan, 47. "It seems like we're leaving there and Iran is getting more powerful. And...I'm not sure it was the right thing to do."

One point of convergence was the holidays — a bright green wreath hung above the historic Armory building, with it's red ribbon dangling.

"I think it's great that the troops are coming home to their families, especially at this time, to be home for the holidays, with their family," said actor and Upper East Side resident Lowell Byers.

Thompson agreed.

"My stepfather was actually deployed very recently, and just got home a few weeks ago," she said. "And I know that my family would be, like, heartbroken, if he missed another Christmas."