Opponents of the war in Iraq plan to use the symbolism of today's fifth anniversary in calling for an end to the conflict and a withdrawal of troops.

A number of vigils are scheduled for today around the country, including one in Hartford and one set for 7 p.m. at the corner of Broad and East Main streets in Meriden, according to the Web site MoveOn.org.

Meanwhile, politicians like state Senate President Donald E. Williams, D-Brooklyn, said the anniversary "should serve as a powerful reminder to Connecticut residents of the need to provide support to veterans and their families."

The death toll for U.S. soldiers in Iraq had climbed to 3,990 as of Monday. Of those fallen, 29 were from Connecticut, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, while 232 Connecticut soldiers have been wounded in Iraq.

Despite those statistics, however, casualties suffered by coalition security forces have decreased in recent months.

February saw the lowest number of deaths among U.S. forces since the beginning of the war, with December 2007 being the second lowest, according to the Pentagon.

Army Sgt. Christopher Larkin of Southington believes there is evidence that the continued military presence is working.

"I do believe it's being effective," Larkin said. "Polls do show that Iraqis approve of us being there, and they are trusting our security forces."

Larkin, an avionics mechanic in the 1,109th Aviation Classification and Repair Depot, was stationed at the Balad Airbase in Iraq during 2005, servicing Blackhawk helicopters.

He's been home for more than two years, but is now eligible for redeployment. Although he is unhappy about having to leave friends and family, he is willing to go back to the fight.

"I definitely have no problem going back, and the biggest thing with me over there is being away from friends and family. Though I am supporting them from over there, I definitely would want to be supporting them by being close to them as well."

As Larkin prepares to wish his family well and go back to the desert, Stephen T. Zerio of Meriden is "ecstatic" about the news that his son, 1st Lt. Alexander Zerio, will be returning home soon from a deployment to the western desert of Anbar province.

Though the family bonds of support are undoubtedly similar, Stephen Zerio does not share Larkin's confidence in the United States' war policy.

"I think we went into Iraq for all of the wrong reasons," Zerio said, "It's been a tragedy that so much military and civilian life has been lost due to faulty policies. I hope the new administration has a better answer."

The Iraq war "has cost Connecticut taxpayers $12.8 billion, with an additional $2 billion pending for fiscal year 2008 and $3.4 billion projected for fiscal year 2009," Williams said in a statement Tuesday, quoting figures from the National Priorities Project, a nonprofit research organization.

"This money could be better spent on rebuilding our economy, improving our transportation infrastructure, developing alternative energy sources, improving our schools and growing jobs in Connecticut," said Williams, who also decried the loss of life.

"For those on the front lines and for the families left behind here at home, there is tremendous sacrifice.

Connecticut is forever indebted to these brave men and women, and we honor their sacrifice," he said.

The support for the troops despite a clear political divide on the war policy differentiates this war from prolonged deployments such as Vietnam, according to John Wiltse, deputy commissioner for the state Department of Veteran Affairs.

"I think what's different in general with this war overall is that really, all of America, not just Connecticut, has gone to war over the last five years," said Wiltse, an Iraq war veteran from Bristol.

"... With the large reliance on the National Guard and reserves, there's much more community awareness. The fact is that the U.S. military has transitioned over the last several decades: military personal are not just located on bases in selected areas of the country. People's neighbors have gone to war."

The individual and community support is a positive change for America, according to Wiltse, as veterans still must deal with troubles after they come home.

"As far as the issues (veterans face), they are complex and are varied," Wiltse said.

"They range from the signature wound of this war, which is traumatic brain injury, to coupling that with (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and financial concerns with the family - having to leave one's civilian job.

"The stresses are significant."