Roselawn would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Jose Ramirez, who served in the Iraq-Afghanistan War and shared his life story, experiences as a Green Beret, and reflections on the war. It has been an honor to get to know this gentleman, who has served our nation for 25 years.
The Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan
While both conflicts were major pillars of the U.S. "War on Terror," they were distinct geopolitical events with entirely different origins, timelines, and outcomes. The Iraq War was occasionally referred to as the Second Gulf War, whereas the War in Afghanistan was an entirely separate campaign and the longest war in U.S. history.
The Iraq War (2003 -2011)
Overview: A protracted armed conflict that began with a U.S.-led invasion on March 20, 2003, officially ending with the withdrawal of U.S. military forces in December 2011.
The 'Gulf War" Connection: The conflict is sometimes categorized as the "Second Gulf War" (following the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War) due to its geographic focus on Iraq and the surrounding Persian Gulf region.
Justification: The administration of U.S. President George W. Bush argued that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed or was actively developing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and posed an imminent threat to global security.
Aftermath & Regime Change: The invasion successfully overthrew Saddam Hussein's government and led to his eventual capture and execution. However, extensive post-invasion investigations by the Iraq Survey Group found no active stockpiles of WMDs, shifting the war's justification toward democratization and counter-insurgency efforts amid a bloody sectarian civil war.
The War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Overview: Spanning nearly 20 years, from October 2001 to August 2021, this war became the longest in United States history, surpassing even the Vietnam War.
Catalyst (9/11 Attacks): The war was a direct response to the September 11 terrorist attacks orchestrated by al-Qaeda. The group was granted sanctuary within Afghanistan by the ruling fundamentalist Taliban regime.
The Ultimatum and Invasion: Following the attacks, the U.S. demanded that the Taliban hand over al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. When the Taliban refused, Operation Enduring Freedom was launched, quickly dismantling the Taliban government with a coalition of international allies.
Conclusion: The war concluded in August 2021 following a chaotic, final military withdrawal by the United States and NATO allies. This vacuum allowed the Taliban to rapidly retake control of the country, returning Afghanistan to governance under their regime.
Jose Ramirez 2024 Recipient of the
Pueblo Latino Veterans Courage
and Valor AwardJose Ramirez, a 25-year military veteran, shares his life experiences guarding the President, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, and earning his Green Beret. Told truthfully and from the heart, his story reveals a life that has come full circle.
Roots in Pueblo: Born and raised in Pueblo, I have my earliest memories on the corner of 10th and Utica. I attended Spann Elementary and Risley Jr. High before moving to Bojon Town on Taylor Avenue during the seventh grade.
Early Career and Public Service: After graduating from Central High School in 1991, I served in the Marine Corps (1991–1995), worked as a police officer in Rocky Ford, served as an Otero County sheriff's deputy, and later worked for the BNSF Railroad.
Return to Uniform: When the 9/11 attacks occurred, I decided to rejoin the military, bringing my total service to 25 years, four years in the Marine Corps and 21 in the Army.
Becoming a Green Beret: Between 2003 and 2020, I completed nine deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. While experiencing Troops in Contact (TIC) in 2003, I decided to become a Green Beret. After a year and a half of intense training, I joined the ranks of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces in 2005.
Special Forces Operations: Green Berets' focus is on the human domain; they operate in 12-man teams, usually behind enemy lines, and are required to speak a second language to master cultural immersion.
Guarding the President: One of the major highlights of my career was guarding President Obama on three occasions: traveling to South Africa with Vice President Biden, returning to South Africa for Mandela's funeral alongside Presidents Carter, Bush Jr., and Clinton, and traveling to Kenya.
The Shift to Asymmetrical Warfare: Once Saddam's conventional army was defeated, the conflict shifted to asymmetrical warfare, in which a weaker opponent uses guerrilla tactics, covert networks, or cyberattacks against a dominant military.
The Realities on the Ground: Fighting terrorists who blended into the general population made it difficult to distinguish friend from foe, while public support at home waned as the media narrative skewed over time.
A Complex Proxy Conflict: The war served as a proxy conflict funded by nations like Iran, Russia, and China, backing terrorist groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the Taliban.
Cultural Realities: History shows that foreign powers, from Alexander the Great to Russia, have repeatedly failed to change Afghanistan's culture. This proves we should have checked our history first.
Carrying the Invisible Wounds: Serving as a Special Forces Medic and having to answer the heartbreaking question from families” Why couldn't you save him?”, contributed to the PTSD I carry with me today.
Continuing to Serve: My career has come full circle. I now wear two hats with UCHealth: serving as Project Manager for Next Chapter (a veteran suicide prevention program) and as Community Health Manager for UCHealth’s southern region, covering El Paso, Teller, and Pueblo counties.
A Full Circle Historical Moment: Recalling the Marine Corps Hymn, "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli.” I deployed to Libya, to the city of Tripoli, in 2011 after Benghazi 9/11. I saw the preserved mast of the USS Philadelphia, secured a jar of Tripoli sand, and used a Marine Corps Embassy Guards key to access the locked cemetery to take etchings of the monuments dedicated to the Sailors and Marines who died there.
Final Reflection: All gave some; some gave all.
REMEMBER the FALLEN * HONOR those who SERVED * TEACH our children the value of FREEDOM
The attached sponsorship form is provided.
2026 is the first year that Roselawn has offered the Family Tree Page as a sponsorship option. Your family name will be part of the Family Tree in the Wreaths Across America 2026 program.
Sponsor 5 wreaths @ $17 each = $85
Names of veterans sponsored will be acknowledged on a separate page, as those who served
Sponsors' names will be acknowledged on a separate page
Our goal for 2026 is to place a wreath at the final resting place of each of the 4,000 veterans on Roselawn's sacred grounds.
We would appreciate your support as we join hands to commemorate our veterans on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 12:00 noon for Roselawn's 8th Annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony.
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Thank you - I'm a phone call away if you have questions,
Lucille Corsentino
719-406-3125 cell
