KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On this 9th anniversary of the conclusion of the U.S. mission in Iraq, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) remembers the nearly 4,500 courageous men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terror.
More than 1.5 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines deployed to Iraq from March 20, 2003, to Dec. 18, 2011.
“War and conflict comes at a significant cost – one that our military families continue to face long after the conclusion of the Iraq War,” said VFW National Commander Harold “Hal” Roesch II. “Although the war may have concluded nine years ago, it’s imperative we never forget the lives of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines lost in the global fight on terror and the grieving families who live in memory of these noble warriors.”
Several hundred U.S. troops remain in Iraq today in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military’s intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
“Until every service man and woman returns home, the commitment to our warfighters in harm’s way must remain the same,” said Roesch. “The support for our troops must be non-negotiable as they are the greatest gift our nation may ever receive as we continue to protect our democracy and fight the war on terror.”