Five years after George W. Bush declared "mission accomplished" atop a Navy aircraft carrier, the death toll in Iraq continues to rise. 4,062 American soldiers have been confirmed killed since the war began, 47 in April alone.  

Meanwhile, the Iraqi death count is almost too staggering to bear.  

Yesterday in a town northeast of Baghdad, two suicide bombers ripped through a wedding caravan, turning a family's day of celebration into a blood-soaked nightmare. "The first blast happened in front of an ice cream shop," one witness who was among the injured described. "A lot of people ran to help the wounded, but two minutes later another bomber blew himself up in the crowd." In all, 35 innocent civilians were killed and 66 wounded.  

Meanwhile in the U.S., Defense Secretary Robert Gates admitted on Thursday said the military has neglected its veterans, providing insufficient physical and mental healthcare, as well as sub-standard housing. "I share your frustration," he told a group of junior officers in Fort Bliss, Texas. 

This week's articles offer a grim picture of where we find ourselves on this twisted anniversary. From the Pentagon's willful blindness to veteran's injuries to the plight of the 4 million Iraqi refugees who have had to flee their country, there's a lot to be outraged about. Unfortunately, far too few Americans are paying attention.