Major combat operations in Iraq have ended

May 1, 2003 - President Bush declares victory in Iraq aboard an aircraft carrier bearing a victory banner.

Today marks the fourth anniversary of when President Bush declared that major combat operations were over in Iraq and our “mission accomplished.”

Bush’s declaration of victory was the equivalent of a football player prematurely spiking the ball on the ten yard line before he crossed the goal line to score a touchdown.

But war isn’t a game... American men and women are fighting and dying in this war and Bush continues his failed “stay the course” strategy.

Four years later and there have been thousands of American and civilian casualties. We are still fighting “major combat operations” in Iraq and engaged in the occupation of a country under civil war. We are caught in this mess because of Bush’s failed policies and refusal to modify his strategies.

We urge the President to change his plans so we can bring our soldiers home safely and carry on the fight against the terrorists who attacked us on September 11, 2001.