What do you think: What's our Iraq war legacy?
Published: August 20, 2010
Today marks the final day in our series looking at the political and human impact of the Iraq War, a controversial fight which took 4,414 American servicemembers' lives and cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $750 billion. The combat mission there ends Aug. 31, but this week saw the symbolic withdrawal of several hundred soldiers from the country in the final combat patrol for U.S. forces there.
Little will change right now for the 50,000 troops expected to remain in Iraq for another 16 months. But the troops who left this week called the moment an historic occasion, and a chance to reflect on their losses and accomplishments.
Brigade commander Col. John Norris told Stripes reporter Teri Weaver that their work was a success, creating a new future for the Iraqi people. Sgt. 1st Class Robert Hord went one step further: “We’re the winners in Iraq. I think we have accomplished every goal we’ve set. We are the winners.”
But on Friday Iraq Veterans Against the War -- one of dozens of groups who have loudly protested U.S. involvement in Iraq over the last seven years -- called the war a "painful saga" that will continue for years in the physical and psychological injuries of returning troops.
What do you think will be the lasting story of the Iraq War? How will troops remember the missions they conducted? How will civilians discuss it in years to come?
Voice your opinions in the comment thread below.
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