The Iraq War: 10 Years of Casualties, With 4 From Waukesha
This week marks the 10-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. Waukesha lost four of its own in the Iraq War.
The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began 10 years ago this week — on March 19, 2003 — and although officially "over," fighting continues.
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 89 from Wisconsin.
Among them, four people from Waukesha. From the CNN war casualties web site:
Lance Cpl. Dean David Opicka, 29: One of two Marines killed while conducting combat operations in Habbaniya, Anbar province, Iraq, on April 14, 2008.
Opicka graduated from Carroll College with a double major in psychology and history, reported the Associated Press. Before being deployed he was teaching in the Milwaukee area.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Scott Frost, 24: Died in a crash of an Iraq Army Mi-17 helicopter near Bayji, Iraq, on March 3, 2008.
Frost was a six-year veteran of the Air Force, reported the Associated Press.
Lance Cpl. Richard Daniel Warner, 22: Died from wounds received as a result of enemy action in Yusufiya, Babil province, Iraq on December 13, 2004.
Warner was a graduate of Kettle Moraine High School, reported the Associated Press.
1st Lt. Daren Hidalgo of Pennsylvania, who died in Afghanistan in 2011, convinced his high school class to adopt Warner before he was killed in Iraq.
Cpl. Robert Paul Warns II, 23: Died as a result of enemy action if Babil province, Iraq, on November 8, 2004.
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Adam Kindred
5:04 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Here is another from Waukesha
Army Spc. Michelle M. Witmer
20, of New Berlin, Wisconsin.
Witmer died April 9th, 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq, when she became involved in an improvised explosive device and small arms attack. She was assigned to the Army National Guard's 32nd Military Police Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Died on April 9, 2004.
susan m kesy
11:38 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
THANK YOU to all these military people and their families. For all they have done for us. And for those of you who continue to protect our country. God Bless everyone of you.