Nevadans react to the start of war with Iraq

AP

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 3:21 a.m.

Reactions from around Nevada to news that war with Iraq had begun.

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"What irritates me is protesting while our troops are over there. That's the thanks they get for doing what they're doing?"

Ed Abowd, 82, a semi-retired World War II veteran who served on the USS Ricketts in the north Atlantic. Abowd of Carson City made his comments at the Capitol Complex.

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"I'm concerned about using war to bring peace. I think there are other ways to keep Saddam at bay.

Zack Nauth, 42, of Chicago, marching in anti-war protest in Las Vegas.

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"I think we needed to take care of business and take care of our own country."

Dave Siegel, 41, construction supervisor from Cincinnati, standing on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.

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"It's not a good situation, I feel. On the other hand, with everything that's happening in the world, you have to defend yourself."

Amber Ventura, 28, a facial massage therapist, buying gasoline in Las Vegas.

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"I'm behind the president. I don't understand why so many other nations aren't backing us on this."

Quan Tran, 32, a police officer in Reno.

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"There are a lot of emotions going through me right now. I just want to get out and serve my country."

Army Pvt. Angel Frias, arriving at McCarran International Airport for a visit home that he said might be cut short if his field artillery unit is called to duty.

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"We warned them. We asked them to give up all their weapons and they wouldn't, so obviously (Saddam's) hiding something."

Katie Mercier, 25, a waitress in Carson City.

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"We're a powerful country. And look at what Saddam has done to his own people. He's killed thousands of people."

Robert Gallegos, 19, of Las Vegas, a 2002 high school graduate who said he was considering enlisting in the Marine Corps.

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"Let's face it. We're at war, but do people want to stay home and mope about it, or do they want to get out and keep up their lives?"

Francine Stigliano, 52, a blackjack dealer at the Bellagio casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

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"I've been there and done it already and I'm against it. I'm dead against war."

Tom Brewster, 78, a Marine veteran in Reno.

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"The president knows what's best, and I think it's the best for us if we can prevent this from happening again."

James Carnahan, 23, an Iowa State University student visiting Las Vegas, at a New York-New York hotel-casino memorial to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

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"Twelve years ago, we stopped 150 miles too short. Saddam's own people should've taken him out years ago, but they don't have the freedom we do."

Larry Silverwood, 49, a Reno locksmith and Coast Guard veteran.

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"I couldn't think of a more auspicious day."

Rabbi Mel Hecht of Temple Beth Am in Las Vegas, noting that war coincided with the Jewish holiday of Purim, marking the saving of Jews in ancient Persia as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther.

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"We're concerned that Muslims will be targets of hate crimes because of the war."

Aziz Eddebbarah, spokesman for the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.

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"I just want to get rid of (Saddam). Let's just pray that nothing big will happen."

Rachel Ventura, 53, a Las Vegas resident with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship.

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"I've been against it until now. I'm not a pacifist; I just hate to see people die. But now that we're in it, I support it. I just hope it's quick."

Hale Shipley, 71, working out at a health club in Reno.

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The Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Reno Gazette-Journal contributed to this report.

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