Invasion of Iraq Begins: A New Chapter in American Service

March 20, 2003, marked the beginning of the Invasion of Iraq- an operation that would quickly grow into a long and complicated chapter in American military history. For those who served during this time, the emotions surrounding that day, and everything that came after, run deep.

I remember the mixed feelings I had when the invasion began. On one hand, I wanted to see what had started during the Gulf War reach a meaningful conclusion. There was hope that the Iraqi people might finally have a chance to live freely, under their own rule, and without fear. On the other hand, I was concerned about what would happen next, concerned for our service members heading into harm’s way, and concerned for the families waiting at home.

It’s easy to look back at this date through the lens of everything we know now, but at the time, March 20 represented possibility. Yes, there was uncertainty, but also resolve. We believed in the mission, and more importantly, we believed in our military.

The invasion itself began with what became known as “shock and awe.” U.S. and coalition forces launched precision airstrikes against Baghdad while ground troops advanced across the desert. In just over three weeks, the Iraqi government had fallen. But as we now know, that was just the beginning of what would become a long, complex, and often grueling effort to stabilize a country in turmoil.

Many of the veterans who served in Iraq did so more than once. They returned for second, third, and even fourth deployments, each one leaving a mark. They served in cities like Fallujah, Ramadi, Mosul, and Tikrit. They patrolled streets, trained local forces, and built relationships in places few Americans had ever heard of before. They carried the burdens of war quietly, with strength and dignity.

Behind the strategy and headlines were real people doing their duty under some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable. And for the families of those who served, March 20 may still bring a sense of unease or even grief. If that’s you, I want you to know – you’re not alone and there are so many people right here in Arizona eager to support you.

One of the lasting reflections I have about this date is how much it challenged us to think not just about how we fight, but how we support. I think many of us in leadership roles at the time began to ask ourselves: How are we going to care for those who bear the brunt of battle? How are we going to help them when they come home? That question still matters today as much as it did then.

March 20 was more than the start of a military campaign. The invasion of Iraq was the beginning of a journey that would shape a generation of service members, families, and communities. As we reflect on this date, let it serve as a reminder of the strength it took to go, the sacrifice it took to stay, and the commitment it still takes to support those who lived it. The mission did not end when the fighting stopped, it continues in how we care for one another, how we remember, and how we honor the lives forever changed by that day.