Victory in Iraq
We started this blog on 20 March, 2003, the day that combat troops poured into Iraq. Wednesday, the last of the US combat brigades left Iraq. Their convoy headed over the Kuawait border, with MSNBC running a ticker reminiscent of the 1991 invasion by Iraq of that small nation. It's been a long span since.

No one dared hoist a celebratory parade this week. George Bush' landing on the carrier saluting the troops for accomplishing the first mission remains...the single salute we have made to all the accomplishments of our brave and tenacious troops.

There was another war like this. In 1776, the streets celebrated with the news that America had declared independence. Not til October of 1781 did combat end (do you know the decisive battle?). Washington's troops remained in garison til Sept of 1783 when the Treaty of Paris was signed.

Later--in 1787--a woman famously asked Ben Franklin what kind of government "we got--a Republic or a Monarchy?" "A Republic," replied the good doctor. "If you can keep it."

Good luck Iraq. Good job soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines.