Central Coast vets want peace amid missile attack

Arroyo Grande, Calif. - Local veterans reacted to the news of a missile attack on US airbases in Iraq Tuesday night.

Ryan Fonseca sat outside New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach, where he volunteers. “This is my platoon I was with," he said, showing me the photo on his phone. "We're on al-Asad airbase.”

Ryan Fonesca is a Marine Corps veteran. He served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008 at Ain al-Asad, one of the bases hit in the attack last night.

“I was kind of shocked when I saw it, but at the same time, I feel that we as a country, we need to set politics aside and be united as one,” said Fonesca.

Looking back at pictures from his deployments, Fonseca said he is thinking of troops in Iraq now. He said we need to pray for them.

Other central coast veterans echoed Fonesca's call for unity. His friend Robert Tolan served in the army.

“I just personally think the response was good," Tolan said. "Everyone can question if killing a general was smart, but it happened and now we need to call for peace.”

Both men said they hope the attack is the last on either side.

“I think it's going to die down. I think the US doesn't want a war," said Tolan. "Iran doesn't want a war because they know that we're a lot more powerful.”

For now, both Veterans are active in helping the military community. They volunteer for Central Coast non-profits serving veterans.