While visiting the Ironton Barber Shop Tuesday afternoon, one could hear the sound of razors buzzing, scissors snipping - along with discussions of war with Iraq.

Charles Cremeans, owner of the shop, was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He served from 1968 to 1970, and believes that this war will probably be more dangerous than Vietnam.

"We'll be all out on this one," he said. "There will be much more for them to face in Iraq.

"We should support the ones who have to fight, whether it's right or wrong."

Cremeans said he is sure several of his former customers will be fighting a war with Iraq.

Coal Grove resident Scott Bloomfield, served in the U.S. Navy from 1994-1995.

"My feeling is that people are free to have their opinions, but before they spout them, they need to pick up a rifle and go to war themselves," he said.

The American people elected President Bush to make the decision to go to war, Bloomfield said. If people do not support his decisions, they need to vote against him in the next election. However, once war is imminent, the public needs to "get on the bandwagon" and support military personnel overseas.

Lee Hart, a resident of Franklin Furnace, said he believes that Saddam Hussein must go. Hart served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-1974. Now, his 22-year-old son, also in the U.S. Air Force is overseas.

"I'm scared to death," he said. "I know three or four kids over there. But, I believe in what my son is doing and so does he."

Lee Callicoat, a 14-year-old resident of Willow Wood, is too young to remember the first Gulf War, but his uncle served in it. A member of his church is overseas right now. Callicoat said he believes that North Korea should be more of a priority for the United States than Iraq because of their nuclear weapons. However, if he were called to fight for his country, he would do it.

Ironton resident Kim Ramey's brother-in-law is in the U.S. Air Force and is currently in Kuwait. During the first Gulf War, he was in the U.S. Marines. Having him overseas now is scary for Ramey and her family, she said. However, she tells her three children and three grandchildren that military personnel like her brother-in-law are "defending our country and fighting for our rights."

Glenn Finley, a former South Point resident now living in Franklin Furnace, served in the First Division of the U.S. Marine Corps in the Korean War. He believes that Saddam Hussein is quite similar to another historical dictator.

"The only difference between him and Hitler are their mustaches," he said. "He is a tyrant that needs gotten rid of - that simple."

What makes a war against someone like Hussein more dangerous, Finley said, is that Hussein has biological weapons and will use them. Hussein has also terrorized people of Iran and Kuwait along with his own people.

"Some wars are necessary. This is one of them," he said.

Regarding anti-war protesters, Finley said they have the freedom of speech, but they should keep their opinions to themselves when the country is on the verge of war. Dixie Chicks' singer Natalie Maines did not need to badmouth President Bush, either, he said. Also, he believes those who have fought in wars have given protesters the opportunity to express their opinions.

When it comes to Saddam Hussein, Ironton resident Shane Fields said he echoes Finley's sentiments.

"Saddam is a tyrant and a threat to his own people," he said. "War is never a good thing, but sometimes, it's necessary."