Local residents gave their reactions Wednesday to the pending war in Iraq and voiced their trust and support for President George W. Bush and the troops overseas.

"I feel like it’s something that has been needed to be done for a long time," said Vincent Symon. "I was in the Navy years ago in the Middle East when the Arabs embargoed the oil. I’ve know for a long time that this was going to have to happen –

at least 30 years.

Symon didn’t understand why U.S. armed forces didn’t complete the job back in the 1991 Gulf War. "I knew we had that coalition (of countries)," he said. "Arab friends are Arab friends, I guess, but I don’t understand why Big Bush didn’t go ahead on and take it to Bagdad.

"I just support President Bush and everything that he is doing," said Frances Cork. She believes an invasion of Iraq is a just cause. "I think we should retaliate against him (Hussein)," she said.

"It’s another war," said John Woods. "A whole lot of people that are going there are not coming back. That’s really sad."

Woods didn’t believe it would be a quick war. He expected it would take a long time to reconstruct Iraq once the war is over.

The war is justified, Woods said. "The President knows what he’s doing." He feels the soldiers are properly trained for the mission, but when the war starts "you don’t know what’s going to happen. My heart goes all out for those guys. I just hope they come back home."

"I get a little disappointed with the protestors on the news and in the paper, not liking what we’re doing," said Chris Cameron. "…It’s fine to have your opinions. I really believe everybody should have theirs, but this is not the time to express (negative views). We’re only going to be as strong as the people back home are (supporting the troops).

"I think the President knows a lot more than we do (about the threat from Iraq)," said Ann Parsons, "and we shouldn’t judge his call. We should get behind the men and women of the armed forces. We’re in it (now) so we should be behind them 100 percent."