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On the first day of the invasion, after U.S. forces launched a thundering bomb and missile attack on Baghdad at dawn, in neighboring Kuwait, Marine Cpl. Philip Sturm hunkers down amid reports of Iraqi missile attacks and artillery fire. U.S. ground forces are stationed there as they await orders to deploy.<br>
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See <a href="/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq03202003-archive,1,7752967.story"><b>'Sirens, Booms, a Call to Prayer'</b></a> for a Times' report on the first moments of the invasion from the ground in Baghdad.<br>
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How did the U.S. get to this point? Read the Times' <a href="/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq03232003qna-archive,1,1341982.story"><b>'Iraq Demystified: a Primer on Politics, History'</b></a> for a quick tutorial.

U.S. Marine in Iraq invasion

( Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times / March 20, 2003 )

On the first day of the invasion, after U.S. forces launched a thundering bomb and missile attack on Baghdad at dawn, in neighboring Kuwait, Marine Cpl. Philip Sturm hunkers down amid reports of Iraqi missile attacks and artillery fire. U.S. ground forces are stationed there as they await orders to deploy.

See 'Sirens, Booms, a Call to Prayer' for a Times' report on the first moments of the invasion from the ground in Baghdad.

How did the U.S. get to this point? Read the Times' 'Iraq Demystified: a Primer on Politics, History' for a quick tutorial.

Related Links
Iraq war: Five-year anniversary

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USMC 3019 at 8:54 AM March 03, 2011

To my brothers and sisters who went over the LOD with 2nd BN 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division and took the first causlty LCPL Gutierrez, and everyoen else that followed you are remembered and not forgotten. You have endured what no other generation of US Warriors has ever endured. 5, 6, 7, constant tours of duty honorably and free.For many yeas I asked was it worth it. as I see plain citizens in African countries dominiated by oppression and dictatorship fight for something that is larger than themselves can I say yes it was worth it.Your sacrafice lit the fuse of freedom, which burns slowly at times, but then can erupt as powerfull as nature itself. I lost friends, some friends lost their families, and for the next 50 years this generation who has founght and continues to fight endless deployments will need our countries support.The toughest fight is when you leave the green machine and your alone in some room, and your head can't stop spinning and you just........As alone as you might feel remember who you are, all those years before those battles, and maybe you football coaches greatest words "just one more play" he said that until we had to line up our cars for light. We loved the game as much as he did.Chase after your next play in life, re lite your fuse, it might burn slow at first, but it will grow, like a forest after a fire

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