Vets Who Fought in Iraq Honored on 22nd Anniversary of Invasion
By Movieguide® Contributor
March 20 marked the 22nd anniversary of the United States’ invasion of Iraq, and the Travis Manion Foundation honored the 160,000 troops who were deployed and the 4,500 who never made it back home.
“What began on this day turned into a war that lasted nearly 9 years leaving a lasting impact on those who served and their families. Today, we remember,” the foundation wrote in the video.
On March 20, 2003, the United States military invaded Iraq to eliminate Saddam Hussein and the weapons of mass destruction Iraq possessed.
According to Britannica:
In the wake of the September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001, the U.S. government, asserting that Saddam might provide terrorist groups with chemical or biological weapons, sought to renew the disarmament process. Though Saddam allowed UN weapons inspectors to return to Iraq in November 2002, his failure to cooperate fully with the investigations frustrated the United States and Great Britain and led them to declare an end to diplomacy. On March 17, 2003, U.S. Pres. George W. Bush ordered Saddam to step down from office and leave Iraq within 48 hours or face war; he also indicated that, even if Saddam left the country, U.S. forces might be needed to stabilize the new government and search for weapons of mass destruction. When Saddam refused to leave, U.S. and allied forces launched an attack on Iraq on March 20.
“Today, we reflect on the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq — a moment that changed the lives of so many,” the Travis Manion Foundation continued. “We honor the service members who answered the call, the families who stood by them, and the heroes we’ve lost. Their sacrifice reminds us to live with purpose. ‘If Not Me, Then Who…'”
READ MORE: CHRIST SAVED THIS VET FROM SUICIDE. NOW HE HELPS OTHERS FIND FREEDOM.
The Travis Manion Foundation is on a mission to “unite and strengthen communities by training, developing, and highlighting the role models that lead them. We develop programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen, and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community at large.”
The foundation was created in honor of 1stLt Travis Manion, USMC, “who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of his patrol in 2007.”
“TMF carries on the legacy of selfless service and leadership embodied by Travis and all those who have served, or continue to serve, our nation,” the organization said.
READ MORE: GARY SINISE FOUNDATION PROVIDES HOME FOR WOUNDED VETERAN
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