In March 2003, forces of the United States invaded Iraq determined to bring down Saddam Hussein and establish a stable capitalist republic in the Middle East.
But American troops had been fighting in Afghanistan for a year and a half before the invasion of Iraq. We have been fighting the Taliban in that country since October 2001, a month after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Making too much of the invasion of Iraq, seems to move the fighting in Afghanistan further into the shadows.
The debate over what dates constitute the war on terror will be left to historians. But the death toll of Douglas County residents or their family members killed overseas is a matter of record.
They are:
n Retired Marine Lt. Col. Rod "K2" Richardson, killed on Oct. 4, 2006, while working for a civilian contractor in Iraq.
n Pfc. Brandon Williams Oct. 9, 2006, killed by a sniper while guarding personnel disposing of explosives in Iraq.
n Sgt. Anthony J. Schober killed May 19, 2007, in Iraq when his convoy was ambushed.
n Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Rodgers killed May 30, 2007, in Afghanistan when his helicopter was shot down.
n Marine Sgt. Phillip Allen Bocks killed Nov. 9, 2007, in an ambush in Afghanistan.
Every man on this list was a volunteer, defending his country and freedom in the world. Each was loved by his family and remembered fondly by his friends.
Whatever history's verdict of the years since Sept. 11, 2001, these men deserve to be remembered as brave warriors who gave their lives for us and their country.
