The Second Gulf War has become the most contentious conflict since Vietnam. Fueled by faulty intelligence, and an administration blinded to reality, President George W. Bush requested authority under the War Powers Act, and on October 16, 2002, Public Law 107-243, a Joint Resolution of the Congress "To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq" was enacted.

The President's public rating were at an all-time high after he informed the American public of Iraq's stock piling of weapons of mass destruction, their attempts to obtain nuclear weapons, and a confirmed connection to the terrorist network responsible for the 9-11 disaster the year before.

On March 19, 2003, President Bush sent the following letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate:

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:

(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and

(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

On Thursday, March 20, 2003, as dawn broke over Bagdad, U.S. and coalition forces launched missiles and bombs at targets in Iraq, including a "decapitation attack" aimed at Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and other members of the country's leadership.

Since then, there have been 3,627 coalition deaths -- 3,355 Americans, two Australians, 147 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, six Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 32 Italians, one Kazakh, three Latvian, 19 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of May 3, 2007, according to a CNN count.

Regardless of your political stance on the war, please remember that most of our service men and women did not ask to go to Iraq. They are simply doing their duty. Caught in a political hot spot, they are your children, grandchildren, your friends and neighbors. They deserve your support! I hope that every American will do whatever necessary to support them.

CNN News keeps a running total of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments during the War in Iraq.

Persian Gulf War II
Operation Iraqi Freedom

U.S. & Coalition Casualties

Persian Gulf War II Operation Iraqi Freedom

U.S. & Coalition Casualties

Persian Gulf War II
Operation Iraqi Freedom