The war that started March 20, 2003 and affected dozens of Crittenden Countians who either fought in the Iraq or were family members of the troops deployed there came to an official end today.
The almost nine-year war claimed the lives of 4,484 American soldiers and marines and wounded another 31,921, including National Guard soldier Chase Matthews of Dycusburg who suffered catastrophic injuries when his Humvee was hit with a roadside bomb. Guardsman Jonathan McMackin of Marion was also injured in the incident.
No Crittenden Countians were killed in the war, though 59 soldiers from Kentucky gave their lives.
At least eight local Kentucky National Guard soldiers recently returned stateside from Iraq after a four-month overseas deployment with the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commanded by Crittenden County native Col. Scott A. Campbell. Several other former or current residents of the county served in the war, some on multiple deployments.
The Iraq War also claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Iraqis and cost American taxpayers $823 billion.
The Crittenden Press would like to recognize anyone from Crittenden County who served in the war and is asking those to e-mail us with your name, rank, unit and date(s) of deployment.
