Honoring Iraq’s Veterans

Military Tribute, Thank You Veterans

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This Memorial Day, hundred of thousands of US military personnel will be remembered for their dedication and sacrifice while serving our country.

Between March 20, 2003, the day the U.S. invaded Iraq, to December 18, 2011 when Operation Iraqi Freedom officially ended, over 4,400 US soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, and over 32,000 were reportedly wounded. While originally invading Iraq to seek out and destroy any weapons of mass destruction, the war turned out to have far more implications than just WMDs. On April 9, 2003, US forces successfully overthrew Saddam Hussein’s regime, one that frequently tortured its own people. For the years that followed, many battles including the Battle in Mosul, the Battle of Flajuhah, the Battle of Najaf and the Battle for Basra ensued, all with the intentions of bringing democracy to Iraq.

In January 2005, Iraq held it’s first free elections in order to form a National Assembly to write a new constitution. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our armed forces, Iraq has seen growth on many levels, with many of its citizens prospering in ways never seen before.  Nothing can take away or undo the hope felt by Iraqis in 2005 when they came out to vote under threat of violence to have a voice in determining their own future.  That hope has dwindled and much of the hard fought territory in Iraq has been taken or is under threat of  totalitarian Islamists.  Even in dark times, freedom is all the more worth fighting for.  The sacrifices made by U.S families in Iraq should be remembered with honor.  Please keep them in your thoughts this memorial day.