By KEITH GRANT and KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
Many, like Susan Goldberg, have become more wary as the battle seems to get nearer. Goldberg said she is pro-war if the reason is right. But if it's not, Goldberg can't support it. "I'm against it if it's to clean up your father's mess," said Goldberg, who was reading a book in Starbucks.
What most concerns Goldberg is that she feels the government has lost its post-Sept. 11 focus. Instead of attacking Saddam Hussein, she believes the government should be after Osama bin Laden.
Krista Davy, 25, supports war with Iraq. She believes it's necessary to defend the U.S., though she also believes there have been some holes in the government's preparation. "The only problem is a lack of preparation on our part, our country, our government," Davy said. "In the last few years, I don't thing we have taken care of the military like we should have."
Though the fear of possible repercussions from a war is real for many, Davy believes nothing could be as bad as the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "They came here on their own," she said of the terrorists. "How could it be worse than that?"
Donna Fernandez said that with the threat of war looming, she's nervous. "I don't know what's going to happen," she said.
Fernandez, 19, said she doesn't want to see innocent people killed. While there is a fear of going to war, Fernandez, who doesn't support the war, said she's most afraid of possible repercussions afterward.
But for most residents, the threat of war is becoming a reality. Victor Poretz believes war is inevitable. He doesn't support it, he said, and he doesn't want to see innocent lives lost.
On the front lines
The loss of innocent lives is a fear also expressed by Eileen and Martin Lilly of Long Beach. For the Lilly family, the threat of war hits very close to home: their son, Terrence, is a pilot with the 101st Airborne, currently in Kuwait.
Terrence, who is scheduled to become a chief warrant officer at the end of the month, is a CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot. The Chinook can carry equipment and cargo, or it can carry up to three dozen fully outfitted troops into combat. It took extensive training to qualify for that responsibility.
"[Terrence's] first two years in the Army, he was in training all the time," his father said. "It's quite an accomplishment."
Martin Lilly served in the Army for five years, which included a tour in Vietnam. In all, three of the Lillys' sons are in the service. Pat, a West Point graduate, is a captain with the 6th Cavalry in South Korea, not far from America's other potential military focus, and Dan was recently promoted to lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. His unit has not yet been called to active duty, but his father says Dan has been hearing "through the grapevine" that it's possible if the U.S. runs into an extended conflict, or if things get hot in his brother Pat's part of the world.
While members of the 101st knew they were going to be deployed for possible action in Iraq, Martin Lilly said his son's unit was given just 48 hours from the official "go" until their departure for Kuwait. Martin has full confidence, though, in his son's preparation for his possible role overseas.
"I'm fully comfortable with their training," he said of his three servicemen sons. "If you do it the Army way, 99 times out of 100 you'll be OK."
Martin and Eileen Lilly aren't concerned about their sons' abilities to do their jobs, but they are concerned about the impending war. "I'm not happy we're embarking on this unprovoked attack," Martin said. "That's speaking as a military man and as a citizen.
"The fact that we're considering this war," he added, "this isn't our proudest moment."
"There are so many things about this war that I think are wrong," Eileen said. "I think more harm can come than good we can accomplish."
The Lillys' big fear is the loss of civilian lives, they said. Some government officials have referred to civilian casualties as "collateral damage," a term which angers Martin Lilly. "To me, anyone who uses that term is irresponsible," he said.
The possibility of war is on their minds each day, the Lillys said. Martin said his primary concern for his son's safety lies in the fear of sandstorms making flying difficult. However, they again expressed great confidence in Terrence's training and talents.
"We each have a great deal of faith in his ability and training," Eileen said. "And great faith in God. Our desire and hope is that everything works out just fine."
In spite of current events, the family couldn't be prouder of their sons, and they know Terrence is equally proud of his career choice. "I think he's energized by the Army," his mom said. "He's proud, and he's worked very, very hard. I think he's looking forward to doing whatever it is the Army asks him to do."
