Murphy Statement on Five Year Anniversary of Iraq War

Statement

Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) released the following statement on the five year anniversary of the war in Iraq.

"On the five year anniversary of this war, we honor those who have served their country and their families for making such a sacrifice. We've asked them, particularly our National Guard and Reserve, to go beyond their commitment by extending deployments to fight on a battlefield unlike we've ever seen before, and they have done so with honor and bravery.

"Today is also a day to reflect on the true cost of this war - in lives lost or forever altered, in dollars spent by the government to wage this protracted struggle, and the toll it has taken on our national security and our reputation around the world.

"The military success and political failure of the surge is proof positive that the Iraqis will never take control of their country until we tell them that they will no longer have us as a crutch to rely upon. And so I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House to bring a responsible end to this war, so that our diplomatic acumen and military might, if needed, can be used in places where we can make progress in rooting out terrorism and making America safer."

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