WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/20/08) - While many people in Wisconsin and the rest of the United States are spending time this week to protest the Iraq War on the 5th anniversary of U.S. involvement there, others are patting the military on the back for doing what their Commander In Chief has been requiring them to do. Democratic Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq by thanking local veterans in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District. The Congressman was joined by six veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan who commented on the experience.

“On behalf of everyone in Northeast Wisconsin and across the nation I want to thank you for your service and for your family’s sacrifice,” said Kagen.

“We are grateful for your commitment to keeping our nation secure," Kagen continued.

"Today, we are also thinking about all of the families who have lost loved ones in this war or who still have a family member serving overseas,” Congressional Representative Kagen said.

Retired Specialist Danny Roberts was one of those at the event. Roberts served in Iraq in April 2003 and was awarded a Purple Heart.

“I want everyone who is still over there - soldier, sailor, airman or marine - to know that we still support them," Roberts said.

"We are all real proud of them and pray that they come home safely,” the Retired Specialist said.

An estimated 750,000 troops have been discharged since the war in Iraq began – many with compromised mental and physical health. Approximately 260,000 have been treated at veterans’ health facilities, nearly 100,000 have been diagnosed as having mental health conditions, and an additional 200,000 have received some level of care from walk-in facilities.

“To our servicemen and women who are serving overseas, are heading back for another tour or coming home, you can count on our support before, during and after being in harms way," Kagen said.

The United States launched the war with Iraq on March 19, 2003.

According to the Department of Defense, nearly 1.7 million U.S. troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since September 2001.

More than 592,000 members of the United States troop force have been deployed more than once.

3,990 brave men and women have lost their lives in combat since the start of the war in Iraq.

An estimated 29,395 service members have been wounded.

"I am working hard to make sure our veterans and their families receive the services and support they deserve,” said Kagen.

Brown County Executive Tom Hinz, Brown County Veteran’s Service Officer Jerry Polus, Supervisor Jack Krueger and State Representative Jim Soletski were also in attendance.