War in Iraq Ends

From the National Journal:

The U.S. military closed its headquarters in Iraq on Thursday with a formal ceremony marking the end of the Iraq War, nearly nine years after invading the country and toppling Saddam Hussein's dictatorship.

In a Baghdad ceremony with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey, U.S. Forces-Iraq cased its colors, ending its command responsibilities over the remaining 3,500 U.S. troops expected to depart Iraq within days.

"No words, no ceremony can provide full tribute for the sacrifices that have brought this day to pass," Panetta said.

Panetta quoted Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, saying, "The world will little note nor long remember what we say here but it can never forget what they did here."

Dempsey added: "We've paid a great price here. And it has been a price worth paying."