In an effort to focus attention on the Iraq War, a group of veterans and community members criticized President George W. Bush at an event at the Capitol Wednesday.

The participants said the event was meant to coincide with the fifth anniversary of Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech.

Ryan Nofsinger, 25, a veteran who served two tours in Iraq, said people’s apathy towards the war is frustrating. He said his first tour was extended by several months and he was later forced to serve a second term.

“For five years people have just shrugged their shoulders and walked away,” Nofsinger said. Without a draft or tax increases over war costs, according to Nofsinger, people can ignore the issue.

He also said Congressional leaders failed to fulfill their 2006 promises to end the war.

Nofsinger said the Iraq War should not be an issue that only young people are interested in, but that it affects all age groups.

Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal-leaning group One Wisconsin Now, which also participated in the event, said polls show the majority of residents disapprove of the way the war is being handled.

He said the event also highlights the 90 Wisconsin soldiers that were killed since the “Mission Accomplished” speech, with no casualties before the speech.

According to Ross, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will be hurt in the November 2008 presidential election over his support for the war.

However, recent polls show McCain maintains support in Wisconsin, with a UW Survey Center report released Monday stating McCain would beat U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., in the state.

Ross said people see the war and economy as connected, with money spent on the Iraq War not being available to spend on health care or education funding.