On March 19, 2003, the world heard these words from President Bush: “My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.”

Three years later, the war in Iraq continues, and as of press time, 2,314 American soldiers have been killed since the conflict began. For the third year in a row, the anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war will be marked in Corvallis by a peace march and rally.

Last year, hundreds of participants wore white ribbons and waved peace flags during the march, and the previous year, nearly 1,000 people marched through the city to take a stand against war.

This year’s march and rally begins at noon Saturday at the Benton County Courthouse. The march will begin and end at the courthouse, taking a route around downtown Corvallis.

A rally will follow the march, and will include speakers Steve and Michelle DeFord, members of Military Families Speak Out whose son David Johnson was killed while he was in an unarmored Humvee.

There will also be music, information tables, and a memorial with the names of every known U.S. fatality.

For more information, e-mail troopshome@comcast.net