In the shadow of the NATO summit, under the watchful eyes of a phalanx of full-black-clad riot police, dozens of former servicemen and women in uniform, veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, threw away their medals, with apologies.

“I have only one word for this global war on terrorism decoration, and that is shame.”
"Instead of liberating the people, I was liberating their oil fields."
"This is a rejection of the so-called war on terror."
“No amount of medals, ribbons, or flags can cover the amount of human suffering caused by this war.”
“This is for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“Mostly, I’m sorry. I’m sorry to all of you. I am sorry…”

The protesters claim the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are based on lies and failed policies. They say the wars have cost hundreds of thousands of lives and consumed trillions of dollars which, they consider, could have been spent on schools, clinics and social programs at home.