Readers Recall: Iraq War Affected Family, Friends

As the 10-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq War passes this week, Belmont residents took a moment to share their memories of March  19, 2003, the day the U.S. began military strikes against Iraq.

Although President George W. Bush would declare "Mission Accomplished" later that spring and the U.S. would capture Saddam Hussein before the end of the year, fighting against insurgents continued for years, and 4,802 Americans and allies would die over the course of the war, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. The war would also claim more than 112,000 civilians, according to Iraqbodycount.org.

President Barack Obama declared "the American combat mission in Iraq has ended" on Aug. 31, 2010. An 18-month troop draw-down began shortly thereafter and the U.S. withdrawal of military personnel was completed in December 2011.

On Facebook, Rob Bennett said he was "at band practice when the first bomb was dropped. I've since had several family members and friends serve in Iraq."

We want to know: how did the Iraq war impact you and your family? Where were you when you learned the U.S. had invaded Iraq? Respond in the comments section below.

More on Patch:

• Celebrate Lunar New Year in RWC's Courthouse Square Saturday
• Are You Ready for Some Burgers Belmont?
• County's Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Announces Retirement
• PG&E To Charge Ratepayers For More Than Half of $2.2 Billion Pipeline Project

Don't miss a thing in Belmont!

• Sign up for Belmont's daily newsletter
• "Like us" on Facebook
• "Follow us" on Twitter