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"Sometimes, I think that Congress thinks it is so easy to make a decision that involves another country, but they overlook the effects it will have on our military, their families and children," she said. "No one speaks up, but our voices need to be heard."

In a nationally televised address Sunday, Bush told Americans they should prepare for a long and expensive effort that will eventually lead to a democracy in Iraq.

"The heaviest burdens in our war on terror fall, as always, on the men and women of our armed forces and our intelligence services," he said.

Bastante said she's tired of seeing that burden -- in terms of the number of service members killed -- continue to rise. As of Monday, 287 U.S. service members have been killed since the conflict started March 20, with 149 of those deaths occurring after Bush declared the end of major combat May 1, according to U.S. Central Command. There are about 250 Fort Bliss soldiers still in Iraq.
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