The Iraq War, 10 Years of Casualties: RVC Feels its Touch

The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began 10 years ago this week -- on March 19, 2003 -- and although officially "over," fighting continues with discouraging persistence.

By one count, the war is directly responsible for 189,000 deaths, not including those who died from hardship caused by the fighting.

Rockville Centre resident Lt. Ron Winchester died in combat in 2004. He was the first village resident killed in the Iraq war, according to Mayor Fran Murray. 

“Ron was carried from the battlefield. He knew that his wounds were fatal,” Gennario said. “(But) all he cared about and asked about were his marines that he led. Those are the kind of heroes that we honor today.”         

Winchester isn’t the only local veteran who is remembered in Veterans Memorial Park.

Please consider leaving a note for the fallen soldiers and their families.