Veterans in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are frustrated and heartbroken after seeing Taliban militants retake control of Afghanistan and its capital, Kabul.

Army veterans like Joshua Gaccione, who was part of the invading force of Afghanistan in 2002 and in Iraq in 2003, says he wasn't prepared to see the rapid seizure of Kabul.

The veteran says he doesn't regret serving back in 2002 but it has made him question his initial mission there and now wonders what the strategic plan is going forward.

"Seeing your friends and fellow troops give their blood, sweat, tears and lives in some cases to liberate some of these cities and airports and then to see it seized so quickly with so little defense, it's heartbreaking," says Gaccione.

Gaccione also says he's concerned after hearing from many local veterans who have the same feelings of disappointment and for the families of those veterans who gave their lives and never made it home.

He urges veterans to talk openly about how they feel and reach out to the Veterans Resource Office at Westchester Community College if they're struggling.