Nebraskans recall 2004 fight in Fallujah as Iraq War turning point (Tues is Veteran's Day)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/news/military/nebraskans-recall-fight-in-fallujah-as-iraq-war-turning-point/article_0f82dddc-af81-56de-a8ab-6d40af72b02c.html

POSTED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 12:30 AM
By Steve Liewer / World-Herald staff writer

On the eve of his first battle, Marine Lance Cpl. Chris Berggren, 19, sat wide-eyed on top of an armored personnel carrier and watched Fallujah burn.

Cobra helicopters rained Hellfire missiles while jets pounded the Iraqi city with bombs. Artillery shells exploded. Illumination rounds lit up the night.

“It was like I was watching the History Channel live,” said Berggren, who lives in Lincoln.

Ten years ago this weekend, more than 13,000 U.S., Iraqi and British troops poured into Fallujah, a hub of bomb-making factories, suicide bombers and hostage snuff videos that had become the headquarters of al-Qaida’s Iraqi affiliate.

FULL story at link.