11th Anniversary of the Start of Operation Iraqi Freedom - A Mother's Perspective

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the beginning of the War in Iraq. Today, we would like to share the powerful words of Alesia Harris Jimenez Swartz , whose son was Killed in Action in support of Operation Iraq Freedom-2004. We are truly grateful for Alesia for giving Veteran's Refuge Network the opportunity to share her words.

May we never forget our Service Men and Women and our Gold Star families who have made incredible sacrifices on behalf of our great nation. “Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." –President Lincoln

From Alesia Harris Jimenez Swartz: In Memory of RJ- RIP 

"March 19, 2014 – On the 11th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, no matter your opinion, we must never lose sight of the tremendous sacrifices our brave men and women in uniform made during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Every one of the more than one million service members that deployed to Iraq, often for multiple tours of duty, deserves our highest praise and deepest debt of gratitude.
We will always honor the sacrifice of U.S. service members who died in Iraq, and those who came home wounded. Every man and woman who served in Iraq carries with them the scars of war. As we remember these quiet heroes this week we are also reminded of their families and their sacrifices, as we also honor and thank them."                                                                                 - Alesia Harris Jimenez Swartz