President Barack Obama made the announcement Aug. 31, that Operation Iraqi Freedom was officially over.

After nearly a decade, U.S. combat operations in Iraq had ended. Nearly 100,000 U.S. troops were removed from Iraq, hundreds of bases were closed or transferred to the Iraqis and millions of pieces of equipment had been moved out of the country.

While an estimated 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq to assist in training Iraqi forces, all remaining U.S. combat brigades have been sent home.

To four Albert Lea men who served in Iraq during this war, the announcement marks a time to reflect upon a military operation they all feel was a success. Serving at different times over the past decade, at varying phases in each of their own personal lives, 1st Lt. Nick Ronnenberg, Sgt. Ryan Sabinish, Spc. Josh Imler and Spc. Samuel Borland are passionately proud of their service to this country. They shared no regrets, despite the scars some will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

And while they appreciate people who thank them on a daily basis for their combat service, they mostly wish to thank everyone who supported them right here at home while they were in the Middle East.

1st Lt. Nick Ronnenberg

“Baghdad had been run by a dictatorship,” said 1st Lt. Nick Ronnenberg. “We won’t change their way of life completely, but we’ve improved their quality of life, and I think the Iraqi prople were appreciative of us.”

Ronnenberg, 38, served with the 704th Chemical Co., 18th Airborne Corps of Fort Bragg, N.C. He was deployed overseas from April 2008 to March 2009. He served in convoy security, making sure lines of trucks travelling in and around Baghdad were safe. He also provided personal security to high-ranking officials.

“My thought is it’s about time, but you can’t pull everyone all at the same time,” he said of the president’s recent announcement. He said because there are so many different jobs and types of work, a U.S. exit must be completed very systematically. “Equipment would be left behind. You can’t logistically do it all at once, but that’s OK.”

“I would’ve liked to see them pull out three years ago,” Ronnenberg said. “If you could figure out a way, I’d like to see more efficiency, to do what we did in five years instead of 10.”

Ronnenberg also pointed out perceived complications spanning two different presidencies. Not wanting to discuss politics, he added, “I do support President Obama and his decisions with this. As a soldier, he’s my commander in chief, and I support that.”

The thing that changed Ronnenberg the most during his time overseas was his appreciation for his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Joel, Eric and Gabby.

“You try to plan, to do as much as you can before you go, but there are still things you can’t plan for,” he said.

When comparing his 1991 Persian Gulf War service to his experience in the Iraq War, Ronnenberg acknowledged that communications are definitely easier with cell phones, web cameras, Skype and Internet. “Back then, you had to wait in line for hours to make a phone call and when you finally did, your time was limited,” he said. “But the demand is still high for everyone wanting to use it.”

Although he missed his family dearly, Ronnenberg felt the support from back home with the letters and care packages he received from family and strangers alike.

“Every service member was grateful for every bit of support,” he said. “It was overwhelming and every last ounce was appreciated.”

Ronnenberg, who works as a business banking specialist here in Albert Lea, is still actively serving in the Army Reserves and is eligible to be called up for deployment to Afghanistan in the future.

Sgt. Ryan Sabinish

Sgt. Ryan Sabinish, 29, was a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard. He was deployed September 2005 with Alpha Company 134 BSB based out of Brooklyn Park and worked the front lines, a gunner on convoy security.

What was supposed to be the standard yearlong tour of duty was extended due to the “surge of ’07” and Sabinish was overseas for 15 months straight. He returned home in July 2007 after a total 22-month deployment. “I remember the bus ride home, and being escorted by police and motorcycles,” he grinned, adding he felt the support overseas, on his way home and still on a daily basis.

“I believe we went over and did a lot of good things to help the people and put them in a better government, because Saddam was a brutal dictator who killed his own people and committed genocide,” he said. “We went over, got the dictator out, and probably saved a lot of civilian lives. I think it was justified.”

Sabinish received a Purple Heart for a wound he suffered in March 2007. “I took shrapnel in my arm from an IUD, while gunning in a Humvee,” he said.

In addition, he is now a service-connected disabled veteran, due to daily migraine headaches he suffers from the explosion that wounded his arm. He praised the VA Healthreach Program and keeps regular appointments at the VA in Minneapolis.

Due to the effects of the injuries Sabinish suffered while in Iraq, he is looking to find a job that’s not physicaly taxing on his body. He attends Riverland Community College fulltime, his goal to obtain his business degree. He continues to support his military heritage through Inactive Ready Reserve. He also is a member of the Albert Lea Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Even having physical problems, I’m proud of serving over there and of the people I served with,” he reflected. “My father was a Vietnam vet and grandfather a World War II vet. I feel very honored that I could serve my country even though I bled over there.”

His thoughts remain with the soldiers still in Iraq.

“Even though this is the end to the war, just the other day a soldier was still wounded,” he noted. “There are still soldiers getting injured and dying … there are still troops there and still suffering. We shouldn’t forget that.”

Spc. Josh Imler

Spc. Josh Imler carries a card of accomplishments in his wallet, from his time in the Iraq War with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Brigade of St. Paul. It is the first brigade of the 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division. A few of the accolades he earned as a part of the 1/34 Brigade Combat Team include: executed more than 1,400 critical resupply missions throughout Iraq, longest deployed Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom, and largest battalion in the 1/34 Brigade Combat Team with more than 1,020 soldiers. “It’s the best thing I ever did,” he stated proudly. “We went over for the right reasons, in my opinion. I saw a lot of changes for the better.”

“I heard more thank yous and I love America. They loved (President George W.) Bush!” he continued. “They had no freedoms, no anything. They were treated like crap and had a leader who killed them.”

Imler began his deployment training in October 2005 and was sent overseas in March 2006. His tour was extended, and he finally returned home in August 2007.

“The worst part was that our families heard our tour was extended before we did,” he said, recalling that very sad conversation with his wife.

Imler felt fortunate to be able to interact with the locals and most appreciated the fact that he could see the positive changes that the U.S. troops were implementing — changes leading to better lives for Iraqi civilians.

“Just knowing they could do things without being suppressed,” he said, “watching water plants go up, seeing girls go to school, roads cluttered with garbage were picked up — safe and clean.”

Imler suffered two injuries during his deployment: a broken shoulder received during combat patrols and shrapnel removed from his head received from an explosion. He suffers a minor case of traumatic brain injury.

Yet that was nothing compared to the pains some Iraqis suffered. Imler recalled one Iraqi civilian in particular who lost his firstborn son.

“Because he (the son) supported Bush, he was murdered by Saddam,” he said, explaining how the man didn’t let this turn him against the Americans. “To have him come back and try to help, saying look what we can do now, because of U.S. help.”

Imler added that his own views on America have changed.

“It’s not the same America as when we left. We’ve been to this Third World country, and we realize we’re spoiled,” he said.

“When Vietnam vets thank us, we turn around and say thank you,” he added. “They didn’t get the supports, the parades. … There’s so much support, even if they don’t support the war, they support the troops.”

Imler currently fills in as needed at the Minnesota Army National Guard in Albert Lea. “I’m proud and happy that I did something,” he said. “Of the whole population in the U.S., only a few of us have served.”

Spc. Samuel Borland

Spc. Samuel Borland, 25, ran detaining operations while deployed with the 32nd Infantry “Red Arrow” Brigade Combat Team of Wisconsin. He was with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 128th Regiment, stationed in Victory Base Complex next to Baghdad.

“We took people from prisons to court systems,” he explained.

“It’s true that its over, but they still need us there,” he said of President Obama’s recent announcement. “We help keep the peace.”

Borland pointed out that a very large percentage of Iraqi citizens are fond of Americans and want U.S. soldiers there. He saw firsthand the positive effects of U.S. work in that foreign land. “We’re modernizing their country. They’re accepting policies, using our agriculture to make themselves self-sufficient,” he said. “Us being there has greatly helped their country.”

During his nine month deployment, Borland saw no combat and suffered no injuries. “In the past year, there have been injuries and deaths caused by mortar, but that’s lower than past years,” he said.

Perhaps the biggest surprise Borland experienced was the lay of the land in Baghdad. “Baghdad looks like Vegas at night,” he said. “The lights, the towers. They have taller buildings there.”

He also noted it’s not all desert, as central Iraq has areas of plush trees and grass.

While he is proud to have seen the positive effects of U.S. soldiers’ work with Iraq civilians, the time spent away took an emotional toll, not uncommon to any of the soldiers deployed overseas.

“I feel a lot older than I should,” he reflected. “That was a year missed from family, missing family gatherings, traditions I’ve been doing my whole life.”

Borland is now on active duty, working at the Minnesota Army National Guard in Albert Lea. He would be eligible to be called to Afghanistan, a duty he would gladly fulfill.

Like the others, Borland had no regrets when looking back over his experience in Iraq. “It’s the brotherhood you create, you gain friends for life,” he concluded.