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Wednesday, March 19, was the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq. Almost 4,000 American troops have been killed in the war and tax payers have spent at least $600 billion funding the war.

In Honolulu the anniversary drew praise for the troops and protest of U.S. policy.

"Murder, rape, torture war. What are they recruiting for?" about a dozen protesters chanted while demonstrating in front of the Army Recruiting office on Kapiolani Boulevard.

"We know that the majority of people in this country are against the war. We know that a majority of people around the world are against this war. Enough is enough. Five years of illegal and unjust war. So that's why we're out here calling for an end to recruitment, calling for an end to this war," said protester Liz Rees, a member of a group called Refuse and Resist.

The protest was personal for Darlene Rodrigues. Her cousin, Myla Maravillosa, was killed in Iraq on Christmas Eve, 2005. The Leilehua graduate was just 24 years old.

"It's the loss of her life ... of her future life ... of what she would have done for the community. The loss to her friends, to her family. What she would have given to us and how she would have helped our family. Christmas is not the same without her," Rodrigues told KGMB9 while fighting back tears.

Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka made a point of honoring troops past and present while talking about the anniversary, but they said the decision to fight was a mistake.

"It has not made our (international) reputation that great because of the impact on our economy. The dollar value has gone down, which is common knowledge. Gas prices have gone up. And so this war has been much more than $600 billion," Inouye said.

"We've been spending lots of money there starting from $5 billion a month and more," Akaka said. "I want to applaud our military. They've served well. Many have sacrificed."

According to Marine Corps Base Hawaii 84 marines and 5 sailors stationed at Kaneohe have been killed in Iraq since the war began. According to the Army 55 soldiers have been "killed in action" and another 24 have "deceased." the Navy and Air Force could not provide KGMB9 updated numbers before this story aired.

When will the sacrifice end?

Inouye said even if the decision to end the war was made today, it would take more than a year to bring everyone home.

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/4920/40/