It began in March 2003—with "shock 'n' awe," an unmistakable display of overwhelming force. Now, more than seven years later, the end comes almost with a whisper, the last combat forces somberly crossing the border with Kuwait early Thursday morning local time.


The toll for the United States has been grim: 4,415 service members killed and 32,000 more wounded in a conflict that's raged longer than World War II. But consider the toll on the Iraqi people our soldiers were instructed to save from Saddam Hussein: as many as 107,000 killed since war began.

And another number? Zero. As in zero weapons of mass destruction uncovered in a bloody operation launched in the passionate aftermath of Sept. 11, hailed by some as the first step in a new age of American fury. But others saw it as nothing more than a resources grab, an attempt at staking a foothold in a turbulent region vital to sustaining our wealthy way of life.

Now, only 50,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, mainly as a training force. Another account of the departure, from the Washington Post:


Lt. Col. Mark Bieger huddled his infantrymen in a darkened parking lot minutes before they were to depart Baghdad for the last time.

"This is a historic mission!" he bellowed, struggling to be heard over the zoom of fighter jets and unmanned drones deployed to watch over the brigade's convoy to Kuwait. "A truly historic end to seven years of war."

"Operation Iraqi Freedom ends on your watch!" exclaimed Col. John Norris, the head of the brigade.

"Hooah!" the soldiers roared, using an Army battle cry.