Soldier Speaks On Brian Williams Inaccurate Iraq Mission Story
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Retired U.S. Army veterans are setting the record straight surrounding NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams admitting to "misremembering" an attack that occurred in 2003 when reporting on the war in Iraq.
"It was a scary moment because we had no idea. We didn't know the seriousness of the matter," said David Luke, who was a flight engineer that day flying in the same mission.
Luke said he does not recall Williams being on board the helicopter that was hit by rocket fire in March 2003.
While Luke was not on the aircraft that was hit or with Williams, it was well known by nearly everyone on the mission that the NBC anchor was not on the Chinook helicopter that was hit by the RPG. "It's important to get the facts right," said Luke.
For years, Williams and NBC showcased that their lead anchor survived an attack in Iraq. The network mentioned it as recent as late January during a New York Rangers hockey game. "I think that's what excited some people in a negative way," said Luke. "Alright already."
Williams is now apologizing, saying he got the story wrong for more than a decade. "What I don't understand was, what was the purpose? Who got the most out of that?" questioned Luke.
Dr. Rita Kirk, the director of Southern Methodist University's Maguire Center for Ethic and Public Responsibility, said she thinks the ordeal is sad. Kirk said there is a powerful moral lesson everyone can learn about the consequences of a little lie. "I think he has lost his credibility as an anchor, as the lead spokesperson for journalism for NBC and I wouldn't be surprised if it cost him his job," said Kirk.
Luke said he, like most of those involved in the mission 12 years ago, is over it. He just wants the spotlight to be shined on the brave men and women who were there that day. "I think an apology is enough. I think - even more so - all of the backlash that has come of that, I think that he's probably learned his lesson," said Luke.
While he has not heard from Williams or NBC, Luke has no hard feelings about what happened.
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