“We’ve been in the fight. In some cases, even further ahead than the Americans. It’s often just chance that puts me here today.”
That’s what Christian Olaussen, chairman of the Østfold local chapter of the Norwegian Veterans Association for International Operations (NVIO), told Dagbladet.
Dagbladet visited a veterans’ gathering at a pizzeria in Fredrikstad to investigate whether Donald Trump’s claims that international forces in Afghanistan “held back a bit from the front lines” were accurate.
It sparked a brief discussion.
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Olaussen began the meeting by recounting one of his most poignant missions: transporting the remains of four fallen Norwegian soldiers home.
In June 2010, Andreas Eldjarn, Simen Tokle, Christian Lian, and Trond Andre Bolle were killed by a roadside bomb during an operation. The following week, Olaussen was deployed to Afghanistan as chief of the transport and supply troop.
“Many stayed behind in Norway. But we were on our way down, and… it was a very special moment,” Olaussen said.
As they approached the airport, 2,500 soldiers stood in formation, removing their helmets and bowing their heads in respect. Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” echoed through the loudspeakers.
“Every time I hear that song, it’s incredibly moving for me. A truly powerful experience,” Olaussen stated.
“We all know this is something you grow from. I wanted to share this story today, against the backdrop of not being respected by our strongest ally. It’s weak,” he concluded, noting that the pizza was on its way.
Veterans Weigh In on Trump
At the veterans’ gathering, everyone wore the Defense Medal for International Service, many had medals from NATO and the UN, and some had even received the Nobel Peace Prize. Their stories were about to unfold.
But first: What do the veterans think of Donald Trump?
“It’s simple. We all hate Trump. He’s a coward,” said Per Morten Bergland, who served in Afghanistan and Lebanon.
“He’s pissed all over every veteran,” added Espen Granat, who served in Lebanon in the 1980s.
The other veterans nodded in agreement.
Bergland has worked extensively with Americans and praised them highly. They aren’t the problem, he explained.
“American soldiers, they apologize. They’re ashamed of their boss,” he said.
– Let’s put that to rest. Let me hear all the war stories. Fire away!
“Stay Away From the Woodpecker!”
The stories began to flow as the pizza arrived. Photographer John Terje Pedersen, a veteran himself, joined in.
– I should have warned you,” he said to the reporter.
– What does this mean? asked Tor Åge Ebeltoft, who completed three tours in Lebanon, repeatedly knocking his knuckles on the table.
Laughter erupted around the table.
It turned out that knocking knuckles on the table meant you’d been with a prostitute known as “The Woodpecker.”
No one admitted to it.
– My father told me one thing before I left: “Do what you wish. But stay away from the Woodpecker!” photographer Pedersen interjected.
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The conversation turned to lucrative assignments guarding oil facilities, cheap liquor, and rowdy Israelis.
– It was a bit special to enter the disco, and then there was a pile of weapons at the entrance. You weren’t allowed to bring weapons when you went dancing, so you had to leave them there,” Ebeltoft recounted.
Tommy Roger Norheim-Johansen chimed in with a story from Bosnia. The pace quickened.
– We had deLillos and Jan Eggum at our midsummer party in ‘99. And the following year, we had CC Cowboys,” he said.
Norheim-Johansen was responsible for organizing the CC Cowboys event, with a budget of 350,000 kroner.
“You guys in the military don’t have that much money, do you? You can have it for 40,000,” the manager said.
– We probably had a hundred cases of beer. And the band was as drunk as everyone else,” Norheim-Johansen laughed.
A Message to Obama
The pizzas kept coming, as did the stories. The photographer put his camera down again.
– When Obama came to Oslo, I wanted to say: “I was here before you! Calm down,” he said.
– Yes, it’s on the wall,” Espen Granat added.
Both he and several others are Nobel Peace Prize laureates. The prize was awarded to UN peacekeeping forces in 1988, and anyone who had participated in the forces before 1988 could receive a medal.
In the room were people who had served in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and North Macedonia. Their experiences and freedom during downtime varied, but they shared values, camaraderie, pride – and a gleaming gold ring.
When they met someone else wearing one, it was an instant connection.
“But I came from 60 hours of leave without the gold, yes!” someone shouted – to boisterous laughter.
The conversation flowed easily between tales of drunken escapades in Tel Aviv and dangerous situations. Sometimes the two were intertwined. But mostly, it was about these tall tales.
– You remember the quality times. That’s what this is about. Sitting and talking and joking with each other,” said Per Morten Bergland.
As the event wound down, Olaussen began packing up, a half-hour after it was scheduled to end. He still works for the military, but no longer deploys overseas.
His commitment to the veterans’ association stems from a desire to help people adjust when they return home, he explained.
– By talking to each other at events like these, you almost trick people into getting help. It’s about lowering the threshold for talking about their experiences. And of course, we do other things too,” he said before leaving.
