As America marks the 10^th anniversary of the start of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq this week, New Port Richey Patch would like to take time out to honor those who have served and those who paid the ultimate price on behalf of our county.

The official start of the invasion was March 19, 2003, a full decade ago, and although the war is officially “over,” fighting continues with persistence.

By one count, the war is directly responsible for 189,000 deaths, not including those who died from hardship caused by the fighting.

CNN has a stunning map of all casualties in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

In all, 4,802 Americans and allies have died in the war, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, including 196 Floridians.

Among them, 4 people from Pasco County. From the CNN war casualties website:

• Pfc. Patrick Joseph Miller, 23, of New Port Richey. One of two soldiers killed when they encountered a homemade bomb and small-arms fire in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 29, 2008.
• Sgt. Michael David Rowe, 23, of New Port Richey. Killed when a roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Ar Rutba, Iraq, on March 28, 2006.
• Sgt. Marcus Cale Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills. One of three soldiers who died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their forward operating base with indirect fire in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 28, 2008.
• Lance Cpl. Joshua Wayne Dickinson, 25, of Pasco County. Died as a result of enemy action in Falluja, Anbar province, Iraq, on December 12, 2004.

Do you have a loved one who has fought in the Iraq War? Tell us about them by commenting below. Better yet, share of photo by uploading a picture to the gallery on this story.