ROCHESTER, N.Y. — U.S. armed forces are set to be withdrawn from Afghanistan by the end of next month after a 20-year presence there. For some veterans, the move is stirring up mixed emotions.

"We made some significant sacrifices over there,” said Sgt. Nick Stefanovic, director of Monroe County's Veterans Service Agency. “Not all my marines came home. We who served there are extremely connected to that country and always will be."

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan is stirring up emotions for veterans who served there

  • The Veterans Service Agency offers advice to veterans

  • A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and director of veterans Service Agency offers insight

This United States Marine Corps Veteran has two stints in Afghanistan under his belt and is keeping a close watch on the happenings in Afghanistan. U.S. troops are being pulled from service there after two decades.

“There's a difference between how we feel about foreign policy in that country, and about how the average American does, Stefanovic said. “We have a personal stake. First thing that went through my mind, as I said, 'Oh, great.' Everybody is going to have an opinion. Just understand that for some of us, this is a little bit more personal."

Stefanovic says the troop movement will affect veterans.

"We are going to have an emotional impact on the veterans' community across this country, with what's happening over there," said Stefanovic.

Stefanovic himself is affected, as he says Afghanistan will always be a part of him.

"And then I had to think, 'what is my opinion on this?' And it's not easy to formulate,” Stefanovic said. “It's an extremely complicated issue. So I understand the perspectives on both sides here. For me, it became more than fighting for my country. I was fighting for humanity on a deeper level... And I understand the perspective from the opposite side that says, ‘Where's the end for this? How long do we have to stay there?’ I get that. I get that. I don't want us to be at war forever. In this case, especially with what we've seen over the last few weeks, the Taliban have control of almost half the country now."

The veteran believes the next few months will be difficult for veterans who served in Afghanistan and he offers some advice to his comrades.

"It's going to be stressful, and it's going to be overwhelming,” Stefanovic said. “And so I would say to veterans and care about this conflict one way or the other — understand when it's time to take a step back from it because it will overwhelm you. There's one fact, and there's no arguing with this, there's not one of us, that can still do anything about it."

Stefanovic also says it would be even worse for vets if people lash out at each other over social media with their various opinions about the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.