Two years ago the first U.S. bombs were dropped on military targets in Baghdad, setting off the war to oust Saddam Hussein.

The nation entered the fight divided. A survey of T&D Region residents Friday reveals the disagreement lingers on the two-year anniversary of the war.

Some count the cost of lives as a necessary price to pay in the fight against terrorism; others says the cost in American lives is too high.

"I don't think anybody could ever feel happy about a war, but I think it is very necessary because it is terrorism," said Prince of Orange Mall shopper Mary Thomas of Bamberg. "It is clear that so many actual people have confirmed the funding (for terrorists), but being in the Holy Land I hate to see those things being destroyed. But sometimes there are necessary evils that you have to try to take care of."

Thomas said she supports the president and trusts his intentions.

"I think he did a lot of soul searching and before he made that decision (to go to war)," Thomas said. "I admire him for being strong and having a Christian background and faith and he is not ashamed to say that and that is very unusual in today's world."

Betty Gillard of Holly Hill, who nephew has served in Kuwait for the past two months, opposes U.S. involvement to the conflict. She cites the high fatality rate, particularly among young soldiers.

"There are too many young people getting killed and not for a good reason," Gillard said. "When young people get killed ... there are single parents. You have 1,500 people get killed and most of those people probably have kids. These parents will be single parents and will either have no mother or father."

Since Iraq has democracy in place, it is time to pack up and leave, Gillard said. "They should stay over there for maybe about six more months, get them back on their feet and get out," Gillard said.

Cheryl Cooper expresses her support of President Bush despite lives lost.

"We regret it and hate losing the people that we love, but there has always been war and there will always be war," Cooper said. "But I think it is for the right reasons. I support my president, but unfortunately there are statistics. That is war; that is the way it is. It hurts, but we have to believe in our president and pray for him and support him that he will do God's will. I believe he does to the best of his ability. I believe he does."

Cooper said she prayed upon the election of the president and continues to pray for those in leadership.

"It makes us look bad when we criticize the president," she said. "God is not pleased with it because he tells us to respect those in authority over us, and we are to pray for them, embrace them and help them."

"I don't believe in war," said a Prince of Orange Mall shopper choosing only to identify herself as a Jehovah Witness. "I think war is a waste. I don't think it is necessary because you are not supposed to kill. 'Thou shalt not kill.' It will not solve the problem."

The spouse of a World War II veteran, Jane Butler of Orangeburg says while there are struggles and hardships to be faced both in the past and present, she is optimistic there will be a brighter tomorrow.

"It is a power struggle," Butler said. "But, I think the people are going to be better off then they are now. It is a terrible situation to go through, but I think the end result will come true that it is fine."

With the U.S. efforts to build a democratic society in the region, Butler acknowledged the cultural climate is different. But she is confident democracy will win in the long run.

"I think if they try democracy, they will find that their people have a better lifestyle and more freedom to choose how they will want to live," she said. "It will not be an idealism being imposed on them, but one they choose for themselves that would be of benefit."

Orangeburg resident Brenna Kinard, who has a son recently graduated from high school, said a mother's love is a tender thing.

"Nowadays, that would be the last place a mother would tell her son to go," Kinard said. "Why are we still there? I mean, every week ... we see a picture of someone who has been killed."

Injustice and problems must be addressed at home, she said.

"We got over here homeless people that we can't help, and we are going to spend billions of dollars on their country," Kinard said.

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College nursing student Rocio Mundo said the war effort has required individuals to pay the ultimate price but has also revealed some positives.

"It is good that we got Saddam Hussein because people need to go to school and people need to live a normal life," she said. "I think by getting him, maybe that will give everybody and opportunity. But as far as the fighting goes, I don't think that is a very good thing. We need to get in there and get out so they can have a life like we do."

"We are fighting for that," said Orangeburg resident Hannah Watson, referring to U.S. interests in Iraq. "Maybe we are going to steal all the oil."

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