Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on the 16th Anniversary of the Iraq War
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) issued the following statement:
"On this 16th anniversary of the Iraq War, I'm remembering my friends who were killed, those who succumbed to their mental or physical wounds after coming home, and veterans and families that still support them or carry their memories.
"I fought in Iraq in 2005, losing a Navy Corpsman and 22 fellow Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. It is ridiculous that children that were as young as my own son in 2003 are now old enough to fight for the United States in Iraq. It is a lesson that we must never fight wars of choice and an indictment of our ability as a nation to rein in reckless Presidents.
"Since joining Congress in 2015, I have fought to replace outdated Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs) that continue to be misused to justify wars around the globe. I have successfully fought to have the U.S. Army release a report on its failings in Iraq, so that we can save the lives of future Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines from similar mistakes. And as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to fight for the rights, benefits, and honor of regular American fighting men and women, too many of whom have borne the battle only to be let down upon their return home. I will continue this fight for as long as is necessary, which I fear will be a long time."
Rep. Ruben Gallego serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is a Marine Corps combat veteran.