Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta landed in the Iraqi capital on Thursday for the ceremony officially ending the military mission here and closing out a bloody and controversial chapter of American relations with the Islamic world.
Pentagon officials said Mr. Panetta would thank all American service members who served here since the 2003 invasion, and would laud them for “the remarkable progress we have seen here in Baghdad and across this country.”
Mr. Panetta also was expected to note that the American effort “helped the Iraqi people to cast tyranny aside and to offer hope for prosperity and peace to this country’s future generations.”
Not quite sure what to make of this story (Leon Panetta? ugh.), but I hope it’s true. And if it is actually true we are finally leaving Iraq, this is a good time to thank the many U.S. soldiers, sailers, marines and airmen who did their duty in that theater under trying circumstances. Thank you all and welcome home. Our prayers and support go out to the remnant who remain there.