The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began 10 years ago this week — on March 19, 2003 — and although officially "over," fighting continues with discouraging persistence.
By one count, the war is directly responsible for 189,000 deaths, not including those who died from hardship caused by the fighting.
CNN has a stunning map of all casualties in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
In all, 4,802 Americans and allies have died in the war, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, including 134 Virginians.
Among them are two soldiers from Fremont. From the CNN war casualties website:
- Sgt. Cheyenne Wiley — Died on Dec. 23, 2005; he was 36 years old. He was part of the 351st Civil Affairs Command, Army Reserve. He was one of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their Humvee in Baghdad, Iraq.
- Lance Cpl. Travis James Layfield — Died on April 6, 2004; he was 19 years old. He was part of the Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. He was killed in a long firefight after Iraqi insurgents launched a large-scale attack in Ramadi, Iraq.
Did you know Sgt. Wiley or Lance Cpl. Layfield? Share memories of them in the comments section.
