Deadly Iraq war ends with exit of last U.S. troops

CNN ^ | Sun December 18, 2011 | Moni Basu

[MinorityRepublican]

A U.S. soldier atop an armored vehicle gives a thumbs-up upon reaching the checkpoint on the Iraq-Kuwait border.

(CNN) -- Early Sunday, as the sun ascended to the winter sky, the very last American convoy made its way down the main highway that connects Iraq and Kuwait.

The military called it its final "tactical road march." A series of 110 heavily armored, hulking trucks and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles carrying about 500 soldiers streamed slowly but steadily out of the combat zone.

A few minutes before 8 a.m., the metal gate behind the last MRAP closed. With it came to an end a deadly and divisive war that lasted almost nine years, its enormous cost calculated in blood and billions.

Some rushed to touch the gate, forever a symbol now of an emotional, landmark day. Some cheered with the Army's ultimate expression of affirmation: "Hooah!"

Once, when hundreds of thousands of Americans were in Iraq, the main highway was better known as Main Supply Route Tampa and soldiers trekked north towards Baghdad and beyond, never knowing what danger lurked on their path.

On this monumental day, the Texas-based 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division's main concern was how to avoid a traffic jam on their final journey in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Gaumer, 37, was on this road in August 2003. It was his first time at war. He was frightened.

[Olog-hai]

This is not the end. This is just the beginning, especially for Iran.

[FreeAtlanta]

The irony is that if the leftist supporting Islamic Terrorist had not destabilized the country, we would have been out a long time ago.

[onyx]

Praise “the won”. The war is over, but not won.

[Liberty Valance]

[Slings and Arrows]

Iraqi civil war in 3...2...

[Eleutheria5]

No, it’s the end. The MSM says so, so it is. The MSM says it was “deadly,” so it was.

[topfile]

We’ll be back.....sooner than later.

[americanophile]

To my mind the war was won in 2007 and it was won.Our presence there since then has been to maintain our victory and to give Iraq time to stand up on its own. Whether the policy was right or wrong will be debated for all time, but our soldiers deserve our respect and gratitude for a job hard-fought and well done. It's okay to say 'mission accomplished;' it's okay to say 'victory;' our troops did what was asked of them. They defeated Saddam and placed Iraq in the hands of its own people - democratically elected. That is victory.

[fortheDeclaration]

True.

Like Vietnam, we left it a free nation.

If it falls, it is not because they didn't have a chance.

[DB]

Deadly war, who knew...

[ColdSteelTalon]

We will be back. And probably soon...

[Lancey Howard]

“Deadly Iraq war...”.

The US won. The Iraq war was a success, and America and the world are better off for our going into that place and defeating the dangerous and evil Saddam Hussein and the terrorists who wanted to take over. US and NATO troops are leaving Iraq victorious, and with heads held high.

But CNN just has to make the headline negative.

[Nateman]

The war is against Islam and that is far from over.

[caww]

To my mind the war was won in 2007 and it was won.Our presence there since then has been to maintain our victory and to give Iraq time to stand up on its own. Whether the policy was right or wrong will be debated for all time, but our soldiers deserve our respect and gratitude for a job hard-fought and well done. It's okay to say 'mission accomplished;' it's okay to say 'victory;' our troops did what was asked of them. They defeated Saddam and placed Iraq in the hands of its own people - democratically elected.....THAT IS VICTORY.

Worthy of a second post....I agree Absolutely 100%. And our soldiers deserve to be treated as victors!

[caww]

Our soldiers have won a great victory in Iraq...their mission there is well accomplished.

As to the war against Islam...show me where that, or anything close, has ever been stated by any other than muslims...it has not been so. Until Islam and those who adhere to it’s fascist ideology is identified as our enemy...which I believe it is...there is no war against Islam.....only muslims have declared that war...our politicians will not acknowlege such.

[Billthedrill]

We came and we went when we pleased. The rest is a lot of hot air.

[catbertz]

I supported the Iraqi war, but sometimes wonder if we should have kept our powder dry until its time to deal with Iran.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Staff Sgt. Daniel Gaumer, 37, was on this road in August 2003. It was his first time at war. He was frightened."
Yes but I would bet a years pay checks.....He served with HONOR. I'm glad those that have remained in this last rotation in various capacities now will return to our blessed shores, for most at least, a time to hug their wives and children, in other cases, their husbands and children, and the whole wonderful mix in between. Include the grandmas and grandpas...... I had a cousin's son who put in two tours in Iraq in both cases very dangerous areas of Iraq in our Army, and a dear nephew who I carried as a baby onward through Eagle scout, then the Marine Corps., like wise put two tours into Iraq in very dangerous areas, then as a civy later one went to Afghanistan and within his tour in Intel ended up on the rough roads of that damn place with his formal Marine associates, doing a lot of work in the field in some bad areas as well.
It is time for our men and women to return per the agreement GWB agreed upon, NOT the Kenyan usurper.... to bring them home. I would be for a remaining contingent should it had been worked out and perhaps where our troops could have been fully protected "in all ways", to help the Iraqi further advance their capabilities, but since that was not to be I am glad all our men and women are now getting out of Iraq. For God Sakes.... Some have put in four and more tours. And some not in how should I say safe places. To our men and women in uniform. I stand smartly at attention and salute each of them. And a gentle kiss upon each of their foreheads. Yes. You are among the very best Americans, those families, and this nation has nurtured.
May HIS almighty HAND stay upon those that still in places like Afghanistan demand their utmost conduct and code, and love for one another in some really bad terrain and situations, keep them all through their deployments, and see them back to our blessed shores, fully in-tack mind and in body. God bless them all, our warriors who took the pledge to protect the Constitution of the United States of America.
Tis very late at my end MR. Do have a great upcoming day.

[WilliamHouston]

Good.

The Iraq War was unquestionably the single biggest mistake of the last decade. Nothing did more to revive the Democrats, put Obama in the White House, and alienate Millennials from the Republican Party than the Iraq War.