“We’ve been in combat. In some cases, further forward than the Americans. It’s often just chance that I’m sitting here today.”
That’s according to Christian Olaussen, chairman of the Norwegian Veterans Association for International Operations (NVIO)’s Østfold chapter, as reported by Dagbladet.
Dagbladet visited a veterans’ gathering at a pizzeria in Fredrikstad to gauge reaction to Donald Trump’s claims that international forces in Afghanistan “held back from the front lines.”
The discussion was brief.
Returning Home
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 very special,” Olaussen said.
As the convoy approached the airport, 2,500 soldiers stood in formation, helmets removed in a sign of respect. Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” echoed through the loudspeakers.
“Every time I hear that song, it’s very, very special to me. An incredible experience,” Olaussen recalled.
Veterans on Trump
At the gathering, every attendee wore the Defense Medal for International Service, many had NATO and UN medals, and some even received the Nobel Peace Prize. The stories were sure to follow.
But first: What do the veterans think of Donald Trump?
“It’s simple. Everyone here hates 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 praised the Americans he worked with, saying they weren’t the problem. “American soldiers, they apologize. They’re ashamed of their boss,” he said.
As Nettavisen reported on January 9, 2026, the sentiment reflects growing frustration with Trump’s repeated questioning of NATO’s value.
“Let me hear all the war stories. Fire away!”
“Stay Away From the Woodpecker!”
The gathering was really about the stories.
And photographer John Terje Pedersen, a veteran himself, was ready to contribute.
“I should have warned you,” he said to the reporter as the stories began to flow.
“What does this mean?” asked Tor Åge Ebeltoft, who served three tours in Lebanon, repeatedly knocking his knuckles on the table.
The table erupted in laughter.
It turned out that knocking knuckles on the table during breakfast in Lebanon in the 80s meant you’d been with a prostitute known as “The Woodpecker.”
No one admitted to it.
“My father said one thing before I left: ‘Do what you want. But stay away from the Woodpecker!’” photographer Pedersen interjected.
A Visit From Eggum
The pizzas arrived steadily, as did the stories. The photographer set his camera down.
“When Obama came to Oslo, I wanted to say: ‘I was here before you!’” he said.
“Yeah, it’s on the wall,” Espen Granat added.
Both he and several others present had received the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to UN peacekeeping forces in 1988. Anyone who had participated in the forces before 1988 could receive a medal.
“You’re Tricking People Into Getting Help”
The pizzas kept coming, and so did the stories. The photographer set his camera aside.
“By talking to each other at events like these, you’re almost tricking people into getting help. It’s about having a very low threshold for talking about your experiences. And of course, we do other things too,” he said before leaving.
