Soldiers in Iraq have seen things that many cannot imagine, and Tuesday several veterans came forward to share their stories.
The "Eyes Wide Open" exhibit visited Ball State University on Monday and returned Tuesday for a discussion forum at 7 p.m.
During the forum, the veterans showed three video clips focusing on the dehumanization of the enemy, sexuality and gender and rules of engagement. A 45-minute discussion with Iraq veteran Ken Mills followed the clips.
During the video, veterans discussed the horror they experienced overseas.
"I remember seeing a man and his child in a car," said Iraq veteran Camillo Mejia via video feed.
Mejia said the next thing he remembers is seeing a child standing next to a decapitated body. He later found out the man had been decapitated by the soldier's machine guns, and the child next to the body was the man's son. Like many other times during his deployment, Mejia later realized his mind blacked out the traumatic imagery.
During the discussion that followed the video feed, attendees were able to give their opinions and find out more about the war through Mills' experiences.
Mills, who served in Fallujah once from 2004-2005 and again in 2006, was one of many Americans who believed the U.S. should go to war after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Now after his own personal research and involvement overseas, his view has changed.
"A lot of people are making a lot of money off of the war," he said. "Most big bases in Iraq are run completely by contractors."
As for ending the war, Mills said Iraqis would be OK if all U.S. troops are removed. Until U.S. troops are home, Mills said Americans should let their voices be heard.
"We are the people's government," he said. "Not the government's people."
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