The combat in the Persian Gulf has triggered mixed emotions among veterans who recall painful memories of what war was like for them.

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2287 gathered around the television Thursday, watching and waiting for further developments while the crisis developed.

“I think there’s a lot of split feelings around here.” said Vietnam veteran Steve Benson. “But now that we’re there, we’re behind them (the troops) and we’re behind our president 100 percent.”

However, Benson said he doesn’t think any kind of war is right, he said he sympathizes with the Americans who have been sent to the Gulf.

“It’s just the idea that you never know when or what’s going to happen next, and I’m sure that is what’s going through the minds of the ground crew right now,” he said.

Benson said he sees this conflict differently than Vietnam because today’s troops don’t have jungles to hide in. Another difference is the Gulf troops are going into this conflict with most of the people behind them, he said.

Benson’s advice to those with family and friends in Saudi Arabia is to “support them, write them and not criticize why they are there.”

Vietnam veteran Paul Kallembach also has mixed emotions but said since Congress chose to go there, everyone should support the troops. Now that the conflict has started, he said he wants to see it carried through all the way.

“I am confident that our troops are well trained for this situation,” Kallembach said. Their minds probably are focused on their military obligations, he said.

Kallembach also said he sees the conflict in the Gulf as being totally different from Vietnam. Unlike Vietnam’s jungle warfare, there will actually be front lines in this war, he said.

What we have to do is support the Americans while they are out there and when they come back, Kallembach said. People shouldn’t act the way they did during Vietnam, throwing eggs and tomatoes at the men when they returned, he said.

“The fighting men aren’t making the choices they are just following orders,” Kallembach said.

“If they (Congress) feel strong enough to send our sons and nephews there, they should make sure they send their sons and nephews there too,” he said.