Operation Iraqi Freedom
After Iraq's defeat in the Persian Gulf War, the Iraqi dictator ignored numerous United Nations Resolutions which resulted in America declaring a "regime change" as an official goal of U.S. policy. In the context of the new terrorist threat after 9/11, the Bush administration accused the Iraqi regime of gross wrongdoing: oppressing its own people, frustrating the U.N. weapons inspectors, developing weapons of mass destruction, and supporting terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda. Majorities in both houses of Congress passed a resolution in 2002 which authorized the president to employ armed forces against Iraq.
The long-anticipated invasion of Iraq began on March 19, 2003, and the once-vaunted Iraqi military machine collapsed immediately. Iraqi factions jockeyed for political position in the post-dictator era. Insurgents, aided by militants drawn from other Islamic nations, repeatedly attacked American troops. Even though, sectarian violence has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Iraqi', democratic elections have taken place, a Prime Minister has been installed, and a Constitution has been ratified.
"A Democratic Hope in the Middle East" [map]
Erected 2012 by the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas and Many Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
Topics and series. This memorial
this page online
Location. 36° 26.012′ N, 94° 13.799′ W. Marker is in Bella Vista, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker is at the Veterans Wall of Honor. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Veterans Way, Bella Vista AR 72714, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cold War (here, next to this marker); Korea (here, next to this marker); Vietnam (here, next to this marker); Persian Gulf War (here, next to this marker); War on Terrorism (here, next to this marker); The War in Afghanistan (here, next to this marker); Victory in the Pacific (here, next to this marker); Veterans Wall of Honor (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bella Vista.
Also see . . .
1. Iraq War. Wikipwdia entry (Submitted on January 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Allied Participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Government Printing Office; Large file, please be patient. (Submitted on January 23, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The End of Operation Iraqi Freedom and DoD's Future in Iraq (2010). Center for Strategic and International Studies website entry (Submitted on January 23, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 378 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on December 11, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
