West Mich. on ending Afg. combat ops

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - More than 10 years after beginning combat operations in Afghanistan in October 2001, the U.S. has a definitive plan to exit the nation.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced on Wednesday that U.S. and NATO forces will end combat operations in Afghanistan in 2013 and will switch to a strictly training and advisory role through 2014.

Family members of a fallen West Michigan soldier and a former soldier reacted on Wednesday to the news.

Army Corporal Joseph Van Dreumel, 32, was killed in an ambush in Afghanistan just five months ago. He left behind a wife and two children.

Emotions are still close to the surface for his brother Adam VanDreumel.

"He was just one of those guys, if you were his friend, he was there for you no matter what and absolutely adored his wife and children," said VanDreumel.

But though he lost his brother in Afghanistan, Adam is uncertain about the United States will be pulling out sometime next year.

"I just really fear us pulling out too soon and leaving them open to the kinds of forces and influences that bring back lawlessness, tyranny," said VanDreumel.

24 Hour News 8 asked if he thought the timing of the decision to pull out was politically motivated.

"I think it's very easy to see where that could be," said VanDreumel. "I really hope it's not."

Chaplain Major Ricky J. Phillips served in Afghanistan in 2007. He was honorably discharged from the Army after only a few months after suffering a severe back injury during a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

He told 24 Hour News 8 that he thinks it is time for the troops to pull out and for the Afghans to go at it on their own.

"I'm pretty happy about that and just glad to hear that they're coming home," said Phillips.

Since returning to the U.S., Phillips has become an ordained and licensed chaplain for emergency services. He has worked with emergency relief efforts after the earthquake in Haiti as well as after tornados in Joplin, Mo., North Carolina, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Phillips has also received 27 presidential commendations including four Lifetime Call to Service Awards from the Presidential Volunteer Service Committee from Presidents George W. Bush and Obama.

Phillips said he knows the troop withdrawal will be seen as political, but thinks President Barack Obama is making the right call.

"In my opinion, I think he's been doing a pretty good job as far as the war is concerned," said Phillips. "When he first got in, he said he was going to get the troops out of (Iraq) by the end of 2011 and he stuck to it."

A total of 51 Michigan service people have given their lives in Afghanistan since the war began. In 2011 alone, five West Michigan soldiers died while fighting there:

• Staff Sergeant Joshua Throckmorton of Battle Creek.
• Private Thomas Allers of Plainwell.
• Navy Seaman Benjamin Rast of Niles.
• Captain Drew Russell of Scotts.
• Corporal Joseph VanDreumel.

Joseph VanDreumel's family is now working with organizations like Project Red, White and Blue to provide support to families of fallen troops and those returning home from war.

The family is also sponsoring a fundraising event called Joe's Legacy Tour -- a bike ride from San Diego to St. Augustine, Fla. The money raised from the bike ride will go toward organizations like the The Wounded Warrior Project.