War in Iraq draws to a close

After almost nine years of fighting, the Iraq war was brought to a formal end, two weeks before the stipulated deadline. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta was in attendance, paying tribute to the nearly 4,500 Americans killed and more than 30,000 wounded in the war. “You have done everything your nation has asked you to do and more,” he said. “You came to this ‘Land Between the Rivers’ again and again and again. You did not know whether you’d return to your loved ones.” A flag-lowering ceremony marked the end of the war.

The deadline for troop withdrawal had been by Dec. 31, but military commanders did not see it necessary to prolong troop presence in Iraq through the holiday season. In addition to the American casualties, the war cost the U.S.  more than $800 billion and left 100,000 Iraqi dead. Panetta said the sacrifice had not been in vain. “You will leave with great pride, lasting pride,” Panetta said. “Secure in knowing that your sacrifice has helped the Iraqi people to begin a new chapter in history.”