Beaumont Veterans Question U.S. Strikes on Iran

Local veterans share their military experiences and concerns about the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:53pm

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Several veterans from American Legion Post 817 in Beaumont, Texas, have expressed criticism and skepticism over the recent U.S. military strikes against Iran. The veterans, including Milton Chatham, Willie Carriere, and Clifton Guillory, shared their personal experiences of war and questioned the motives and objectives behind the conflict with Iran, which they believe is driven more by politics and money than national security.

Why it matters

The perspectives of these local veterans, who have firsthand knowledge of the realities of war, provide important context and raise valid concerns about the U.S. involvement in Iran. Their views reflect a growing sentiment among some Americans that the country is engaging in conflicts for reasons beyond protecting national interests.

The details

The veterans recounted their own military service, including Chatham's 30 years in the Air Force as a medic, Carriere's 40 years in the Army Signal Corps, and Guillory's time in the Army Reserve. They expressed doubts about the justification for the strikes on Iran, with Chatham questioning why the U.S. got involved and Carriere believing the conflict was started to boost President Trump's popularity. The veterans also shared concerns about the impact on current service members, urging them to "keep your head down and do the best you can."

  • On March 1, the United States, working with Israel, launched 'Operation Epic Fury,' attacking targets in Iran and killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
  • On March 3, veterans from American Legion Post 817 met and shared their military experiences and thoughts on the conflict with Iran.

The players

Milton Chatham

Served in the Air Force as a medic from 1955 to 1985, including a deployment to Vietnam for over a year. He witnessed deaths during his service that still haunt him today.

Willie Carriere

Served for 40 years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and has a son currently stationed in Kuwait. He believes the conflict with Iran is driven by politics and money rather than national security.

Clifton Guillory

Spent eight years in the Army Reserve and believes that the reasons for going to war have shifted from patriotism to more political motivations.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, they're making excuses for why they did it. Nothing has been said to completely satisfy people, about why they went there.”

— Milton Chatham, Air Force Medic (Retired) (Beaumont Enterprise)

“I've been on the phone with my senator. I've been on the phone with my congressman because I got to get my son, his wife and my grand baby out of there now.”

— Willie Carriere, U.S. Army Signal Corps (Retired) (Beaumont Enterprise)

“Before we got into conflict because we had to and now it seems like we get into these conflicts because we want to.”

— Clifton Guillory, U.S. Army Reserve (Retired) (Beaumont Enterprise)

The takeaway

The perspectives of these Beaumont veterans highlight the growing skepticism among some Americans about the motivations behind U.S. military interventions, particularly when they lack clear objectives and Congressional approval. Their experiences and concerns underscore the need for greater transparency and public discourse around the nation's foreign policy decisions.