The Iraq War, 10 Years of Casualties: Capitola Area Feels its Touch

The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began 10 years ago this week -- on March 19, 2003 -- and although officially "over," fighting continues with discouraging 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 476 Californians.

Among them, three soldiers from communities surrounding Capitola. From the CNN war casualties web site:

• Lt. Kylan Alexander Jones-Huffman of Aptos, an intelligence analyst attached to the Marine Expeditionary Force was killed when an unidentified gunman shot him as he was riding in a sport-utility vehicle slowed by traffic congestion in Hilla, Iraq on August 21, 2003
• Spc. Morgen Nathaniel Jacobs of Santa Cruz, attached to the 1stInfantry Division died October 7 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when a roadside bomb detonated near his patrol vehicle in Aaliyah, Iraq, on October 6.
• Cpl. Andres Hilario Perez, attached to the 1st Marine Division, died as result of enemy action in Falluja, Anbar province, Iraq, on November 14, 2004.