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thedrifter
02-25-09, 12:33 PM
Is Obama headed to Lejeune?
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February 25, 2009 - 8:56 AM

The Associated Press is reporting that President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit North Carolina this week.

A senior White House official told the AP that Obama may discuss future military strategy in Iraq during a trip to North Carolina on Friday.

According to The Atlantic magazine, the announcement about combat troops there will come from Obama during a visit to Camp Lejeune. Camp Lejeune officials would not discuss the matter, but said a press release will be sent out later this afternoon.

The International Herald Tribune, a New York Times product, is reporting that he may visit either Lejeune or Fort Bragg in Fayetteville.

The president is rumored to arrive at Cherry Point Air Station sometime Friday on Air Force One and take a helicopter to Camp Lejeune where he will be delivering a speech to members of the military regarding Iraq.

"We cannot officially confirm that President Obama will be in the area," said Mike Barton, deputy director of public affairs for Cherry Point.

It is commonplace for the exact schedule of the President to remain unconfirmed for security reasons.

This will be the first time Obama has visited North Carolina military installations since becoming president.

The last presidential visit was on April 3, 2003, when President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush spoke at the base then met privately with troops and their families at Camp Lejeune.

Obama plans to remove all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by August 2010, administration officials told the AP Tuesday. The withdrawal plan calls for leaving a large contingent of troops behind, between 30,000 and 50,000 troops, to advise and train Iraqi security forces and to protect U.S. interests, according to the AP.

Last week, Obama approved a request from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Afghanistan later this spring and an Army Stryker Brigade and supporting forces later this summer. The MEB will be led by Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, though the assumption of command ceremony for the brigade, which was originally scheduled for Friday, has been "postponed indefinitely," according to MEB spokesman Staff Sgt. Juan Vara.

Ellie

thedrifter
02-25-09, 12:42 PM
N.C. the site for Obama's Iraq speech?
By Mark Johnson
Under the Dome
Posted: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009

Word on the street is that President Obama will make a major announcement on his plans for withdrawing troops from Iraq during a speech at Camp Lejeune Marine base Friday.

Although a visit has not yet been officially announced by the White House, the President is likely to outline plans to withdraw all U.S. combat troops by next August. Vice President Joe Biden let slip on NBC's "Today" show that Obama will announce a timetable for Iraq on Friday.

"We're keeping a campaign commitment," Biden said.

Lejeune is home base to 8,000 Marines who will be deployed to Afghanistan as part of a buildup there ordered by Obama.

This will be Obama's first visit to North Carolina since taking office, although he was a frequent visitor during last year's campaign.

Ellie

thedrifter
02-26-09, 06:29 AM
President to deliver address at Camp Lejeune
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Feb 25, 2009 21:28:26 EST

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Barack Obama is making his first visit to North Carolina since his election last November.

The White House announced on Wednesday that the president will deliver an address at Camp Lejeune. His visit is scheduled for Friday.

Obama’s visit comes following word from administration officials that he is expected to order all U.S. combat troops to leave Iraq by August of next year.

Lejeune is home to the Corps’ 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which Obama tapped last week for a summer deployment to the Afghan front.

The Corps confirmed plans to activate the MEB after Obama announced Feb. 17 that he is sending an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan this spring to bolster international forces now battling an emboldened insurgency there. That number includes 8,000 Marines from throughout the Corps.

Marine officials have not yet identified which units will join the MEB, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, but at least two battalions are being diverted from previously scheduled deployments to Iraq, where violence has subsided in recent months. Additionally, 2nd MEB will absorb about 2,000 Marines assigned to the special purpose Marine air-ground task force currently in theater, officials have said.

The brigade, including air assets, will operate in southern Afghanistan under the command of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, officials said.


With staff reports

Ellie

thedrifter
02-26-09, 04:23 PM
Obama to make Cherry Point first stop
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February 26, 2009 - 4:14 PM
By Drew C. Wilson

About the most that Havelock residents can expect to see Friday when President Barack Obama visits Cherry Point on his way to Camp Lejeune is a glimpse of the arrival and departure of Air Force One.

Members of the general public will not be able to come aboard the air station to see the president and there will be no massive crowd when he arrives at Cherry Point Friday morning.

In 2003, for a visit by then President George W. Bush, dozens of people lined the air station perimeter fence along Fontana Boulevard to catch a glimpse of Air Force One, the specially equipped Boeing 747 jumbo jet that ferries the president around the world.

And that may happen again for Obama's visit.

"We are anticipating that people may gather on the outside perimeter of the fence, and as long as they conduct themselves in an orderly manner, we do not expect any problems or concerns at this juncture," said G. Wayne Cyrus, Havelock police chief.

Mike Barton, deputy director of public affairs at Cherry Point, said that there would not be an issue with residents trying to take pictures of Air Force One, but the ultimate authority on security is in the hands of the Secret Service.

"We are basically assisting the Secret Service," Barton said. "Those types of decisions are basically up to them.

"If they didn't want any pictures, they could basically line a whole bunch of trucks up along the fence, but I am not aware of any plans to do that."

According the White House, Obama will arrive at Cherry Point at 11:10 a.m. Friday and will likely be greeted by Maj. Gen. James F. Flock, commander of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Col. Francis P. Bottorff, commanding officer of Cherry Point.

Obama is expected to greet about 200 Marine personnel at Cherry Point before boarding Marine One, the presidential helicopter, to fly to Camp Lejeune, where he is expected to give a speech concerning the war in Iraq.

Helicopters from Cherry Point may serve as escorts for Marine One on the trip to and from Lejeune.

According to Maj. Curt Knowles, operations officer for the air station, Marine One has been in the area doing reconnaissance.

Knowles said Coast Guard and Navy boats will be patrolling the waters around Cherry Point before and during the president's visit.

Knowles said a motorcade will also be on hand in case the president doesn't or can't fly to Camp Lejeune, and the decision on which means of travel will be made sometime Friday.

President Obama's speech at Camp Lejeune is expected to begin sometime after the program begins at 11:45 a.m.

Afterward, Obama will be flown back to Cherry Point, with his departure on Air Force One expected at 2:35 p.m.

Officials said flight operations at Cherry Point will cease when Obama approaches and lands at the air station.

"When he is here, nobody is going to be flying," Barton said.

Wherever the president goes, the Federal Aviation Administration issues what is called a TFR, or Temporary Flight Restriction, and a TFR will be in place when Obama comes to Cherry Point.

Knowles said there are two rings that surround the president, one at 30 miles, which is a warning area, and one at 10 miles, which is considered a danger area.

Knowles said he was proud to be in a position to serve the president.

"It's a big honor," he said. "Obviously we are honored that he considers the Marine Corps a great place to come and use, not only for a staging area for his aircraft, that he has the trust and confidence in the Marine Corps to do that.

"Obviously we're always honored that he wants to talk to the Marines and go down to Lejeune and talk to the Marines that will be deploying in the war on terror."

Ellie

thedrifter
02-27-09, 06:41 AM
Obama to speak to Marines Friday at Camp Lejeune

Published: Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 7:21 p.m.



President Obama will arrive in North Carolina Friday to deliver an address at Camp Lejeune.

In his first visit to the state since he was elected in November, he’ll be talking to Marines at Goettge Memorial Field House around noon. The event is not open to the public.

The president is expected to discuss his plan for the future of the U.S. military’s engagement in Iraq. News reports this week said he would order all U.S. combat troops to leave Iraq by August 2010.

The withdrawal plan calls for leaving a large contingent of troops behind – between 30,000 and 50,000 service members – to advise and train Iraqi security forces and protect U.S. interests, according to the Associated Press.

About 142,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq, roughly 14 brigades, about 11,000 more than the total in Iraq when President George W. Bush announced in January 2007 that he would “surge” the force to put down the insurgency. He sent an additional 21,000 combat troops to Baghdad and Anbar province.

Although the number of combat brigades has dropped from 20 to 14, the United States has increased the number of logistical and other support troops. A brigade is usually about 3,000 to 5,000 troops.

Two days after he was elected, North Carolina was officially declared for Obama.

His win in North Carolina was the first for a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter won the state in 1976.

Check back later for live coverage, photos and video of the president’s visit.

Ellie

thedrifter
02-27-09, 11:20 AM
February 27, 2009
Text
Obama’s Speech at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Following are the prepared remarks of President Obama about withdrawing from Iraq at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Feb. 27, 2008, as provided by the White House.

Good morning Marines. Good morning Camp Lejeune. Good morning Jacksonville. Thank you for that outstanding welcome. I want to thank Lieutenant General Hejlik for hosting me here today.

I also want to acknowledge all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. That includes the Camp Lejeune Marines now serving with – or soon joining – the Second Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq; those with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force in Afghanistan; and those among the 8,000 Marines who are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. We have you in our prayers. We pay tribute to your service. We thank you and your families for all that you do for America. And I want all of you to know that there is no higher honor or greater responsibility than serving as your Commander-in-Chief.

I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Ryan Crocker, who recently completed his service as our Ambassador to Iraq. Throughout his career, Ryan always took on the toughest assignments. He is an example of the very best that this nation has to offer, and we owe him a great debt of gratitude. He carried on his work with an extraordinary degree of cooperation with two of our finest Generals – General David Petraeus, and General Ray Odierno – who will be critical in carrying forward the strategy that I will outline today.

Next month will mark the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq. By any measure, this has already been a long war. For the men and women of America’s armed forces – and for your families – this war has been one of the most extraordinary chapters of service in the history of our nation. You have endured tour after tour after tour of duty. You have known the dangers of combat and the lonely distance of loved ones. You have fought against tyranny and disorder. You have bled for your best friends and for unknown Iraqis. And you have borne an enormous burden for your fellow citizens, while extending a precious opportunity to the people of Iraq. Under tough circumstances, the men and women of the United States military have served with honor, and succeeded beyond any expectation.

Today, I have come to speak to you about how the war in Iraq will end.

To understand where we need to go in Iraq, it is important for the American people to understand where we now stand. Thanks in great measure to your service, the situation in Iraq has improved. Violence has been reduced substantially from the horrific sectarian killing of 2006 and 2007. Al Qaeda in Iraq has been dealt a serious blow by our troops and Iraq’s Security Forces, and through our partnership with Sunni Arabs. The capacity of Iraq’s Security Forces has improved, and Iraq’s leaders have taken steps toward political accommodation. The relative peace and strong participation in January’s provincial elections sent a powerful message to the world about how far Iraqis have come in pursuing their aspirations through a peaceful political process.

But let there be no doubt: Iraq is not yet secure, and there will be difficult days ahead. Violence will continue to be a part of life in Iraq. Too many fundamental political questions about Iraq’s future remain unresolved. Too many Iraqis are still displaced or destitute. Declining oil revenues will put an added strain on a government that has had difficulty delivering basic services. Not all of Iraq’s neighbors are contributing to its security. Some are working at times to undermine it. And even as Iraq’s government is on a surer footing, it is not yet a full partner – politically and economically – in the region, or with the international community

In short, today there is a renewed cause for hope in Iraq, but that hope rests upon an emerging foundation.

On my first full day in office, I directed my national security team to undertake a comprehensive review of our strategy in Iraq to determine the best way to strengthen that foundation, while strengthening American national security. I have listened to my Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and commanders on the ground. We have acted with careful consideration of events on the ground; with respect for the security agreements between the United States and Iraq; and with a critical recognition that the long-term solution in Iraq must be political – not military. Because the most important decisions that have to be made about Iraq’s future must now be made by Iraqis.

We have also taken into account the simple reality that America can no longer afford to see Iraq in isolation from other priorities: we face the challenge of refocusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan; of relieving the burden on our military; and of rebuilding our struggling economy – and these are challenges that we will meet.

Today, I can announce that our review is complete, and that the United States will pursue a new strategy to end the war in Iraq through a transition to full Iraqi responsibility.

This strategy is grounded in a clear and achievable goal shared by the Iraqi people and the American people: an Iraq that is sovereign, stable, and self-reliant. To achieve that goal, we will work to promote an Iraqi government that is just, representative, and accountable, and that provides neither support nor safe-haven to terrorists. We will help Iraq build new ties of trade and commerce with the world. And we will forge a partnership with the people and government of Iraq that contributes to the peace and security of the region.

What we will not do is let the pursuit of the perfect stand in the way of achievable goals. We cannot rid Iraq of all who oppose America or sympathize with our adversaries. We cannot police Iraq’s streets until they are completely safe, nor stay until Iraq’s union is perfected. We cannot sustain indefinitely a commitment that has put a strain on our military, and will cost the American people nearly a trillion dollars. America’s men and women in uniform have fought block by block, province by province, year after year, to give the Iraqis this chance to choose a better future. Now, we must ask the Iraqi people to seize it.

The first part of this strategy is therefore the responsible removal of our combat brigades from Iraq.

As a candidate for President, I made clear my support for a timeline of 16 months to carry out this drawdown, while pledging to consult closely with our military commanders upon taking office to ensure that we preserve the gains we’ve made and protect our troops. Those consultations are now complete, and I have chosen a timeline that will remove our combat brigades over the next 18 months.

Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end.

As we carry out this drawdown, my highest priority will be the safety and security of our troops and civilians in Iraq. We will proceed carefully, and I will consult closely with my military commanders on the ground and with the Iraqi government. There will surely be difficult periods and tactical adjustments. But our enemies should be left with no doubt: this plan gives our military the forces and the flexibility they need to support our Iraqi partners, and to succeed.

After we remove our combat brigades, our mission will change from combat to supporting the Iraqi government and its Security Forces as they take the absolute lead in securing their country. As I have long said, we will retain a transitional force to carry out three distinct functions: training, equipping, and advising Iraqi Security Forces as long as they remain non-sectarian; conducting targeted counter-terrorism missions; and protecting our ongoing civilian and military efforts within Iraq. Initially, this force will likely be made up of 35-50,000 U.S. troops.

Through this period of transition, we will carry out further redeployments. And under the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government, I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. We will complete this transition to Iraqi responsibility, and we will bring our troops home with the honor that they have earned.

As we responsibly remove our combat brigades, we will pursue the second part of our strategy: sustained diplomacy on behalf of a more peaceful and prosperous Iraq.

The drawdown of our military should send a clear signal that Iraq’s future is now its own responsibility. The long-term success of the Iraqi nation will depend upon decisions made by Iraq’s leaders and the fortitude of the Iraqi people. Iraq is a sovereign country with legitimate institutions; America cannot – and should not – take their place. However, a strong political, diplomatic, and civilian effort on our part can advance progress and help lay a foundation for lasting peace and security.

This effort will be led by our new Ambassador to Iraq – Chris Hill. From his time in the Peace Corps, to his work in Kosovo and Korea, Ambassador Hill has been tested, and he has shown the pragmatism and skill that we need right now. He will be supported by the courageous and capable work of so many American diplomats and aid workers who are serving in Iraq.

Going forward, we can make a difference on several fronts. We will work with the United Nations to support national elections, while helping Iraqis improve local government. We can serve as an honest broker in pursuit of fair and durable agreements on issues that have divided Iraq’s leaders. And just as we will support Iraq’s Security Forces, we will help Iraqi institutions strengthen their capacity to protect the rule of law, confront corruption, and deliver basic services.

Diplomacy and assistance is also required to help the millions of displaced Iraqis. These men, women and children are a living consequence of this war and a challenge to stability in the region, and they must become a part of Iraq’s reconciliation and recovery. America has a strategic interest – and a moral responsibility – to act. In the coming months, my administration will provide more assistance and take steps to increase international support for countries already hosting refugees; we’ll cooperate with others to resettle Iraqis facing great personal risk; and we will work with the Iraqi government over time to resettle refugees and displaced Iraqis within Iraq – because there are few more powerful indicators of lasting peace than displaced citizens returning home.

Now, before I go any further, I want to take a moment to speak directly to the people of Iraq.

You are a great nation, rooted in the cradle of civilization. You are joined together by enduring accomplishments, and a history that connects you as surely as the two rivers carved into your land. In years past, you have persevered through tyranny and terror; through personal insecurity and sectarian violence. And instead of giving in to the forces of disunion, you stepped back from a descent into civil war, and showed a proud resilience that deserves respect.

Our nations have known difficult times together. But ours is a bond forged by shared bloodshed, and countless friendships among our people. We Americans have offered our most precious resource – our young men and women – to work with you to rebuild what was destroyed by despotism; to root out our common enemies; and to seek peace and prosperity for our children and grandchildren, and for yours.

There are those who will try to prevent that future for Iraq – who will insist that Iraq’s differences cannot be reconciled without more killing. They represent the forces that destroy nations and lead only to despair, and they will test our will in the months and years to come. America, too, has known these forces. We endured the pain of Civil War, and bitter divisions of region and race. But hostility and hatred are no match for justice; they offer no pathway to peace; and they must not stand between the people of Iraq and a future of reconciliation and hope.

So to the Iraqi people, let me be clear about America’s intentions. The United States pursues no claim on your territory or your resources. We respect your sovereignty and the tremendous sacrifices you have made for your country. We seek a full transition to Iraqi responsibility for the security of your country. And going forward, we can build a lasting relationship founded upon mutual interests and mutual respect as Iraq takes its rightful place in the community of nations.

That leads me to the third part of our strategy –comprehensive American engagement across the region.

The future of Iraq is inseparable from the future of the broader Middle East, so we must work with our friends and partners to establish a new framework that advances Iraq’s security and the region’s. It is time for Iraq to be a full partner in a regional dialogue, and for Iraq’s neighbors to establish productive and normalized relations with Iraq. And going forward, the United States will pursue principled and sustained engagement with all of the nations in the region, and that will include Iran and Syria.

This reflects a fundamental truth: we can no longer deal with regional challenges in isolation – we need a smarter, more sustainable and comprehensive approach. That is why we are renewing our diplomacy, while relieving the burden on our military. That is why we are refocusing on al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developing a strategy to use all elements of American power to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon; and actively seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Arab world. And that is why we have named three of America’s most accomplished diplomats – George Mitchell, Dennis Ross and Richard Holbrooke – to support Secretary Clinton and me as we carry forward this agenda.

Every nation and every group must know – whether you wish America good or ill – that the end of the war in Iraq will enable a new era of American leadership and engagement in the Middle East. And that era has just begun.

Finally, I want to be very clear that my strategy for ending the war in Iraq does not end with military plans or diplomatic agendas – it endures through our commitment to uphold our sacred trust with every man and woman who has served in Iraq.

You make up a fraction of the American population, but in an age when so many people and institutions have acted irresponsibly, you did the opposite – you volunteered to bear the heaviest burden. And for you and for your families, the war does not end when you come home. It lives on in memories of your fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who gave their lives. It endures in the wound that is slow to heal, the disability that isn’t going away, the dream that wakes you at night, or the stiffening in your spine when a car backfires down the street.

You and your families have done your duty – now a grateful nation must do ours. That is why I am increasing the number of soldiers and Marines, so that we lessen the burden on those who are serving. And that is why I have committed to expanding our system of veterans health care to serve more patients, and to provide better care in more places. We will continue building new wounded warrior facilities across America, and invest in new ways of identifying and treating the signature wounds of this war: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as other combat injuries.

We also know that service does not end with the person wearing the uniform. In her visits with military families across the country, my wife Michelle has learned firsthand about the unique burden that your families endure every day. I want you to know this: military families are a top priority for Michelle and me, and they will be a top priority for my administration. We’ll raise military pay, and continue providing quality child-care, job-training for spouses, and expanded counseling and outreach to families that have known the separation and stress of war. We will also heed the lesson of history – that those who fight in battle can form the backbone of our middle class – by implementing a 21st century GI Bill to help our veterans live their dreams.

As a nation, we have had our share of debates about the war in Iraq. It has, at times, divided us as a people. To this very day, there are some Americans who want to stay in Iraq longer, and some who want to leave faster. But there should be no disagreement on what the men and women of our military have achieved.

And so I want to be very clear: We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein’s regime – and you got the job done. We kept our troops in Iraq to help establish a sovereign government – and you got the job done. And we will leave the Iraqi people with a hard-earned opportunity to live a better life – that is your achievement; that is the prospect that you have made possible.

There are many lessons to be learned from what we’ve experienced. We have learned that America must go to war with clearly defined goals, which is why I’ve ordered a review of our policy in Afghanistan. We have learned that we must always weigh the costs of action, and communicate those costs candidly to the American people, which is why I’ve put Iraq and Afghanistan into my budget. We have learned that in the 21st century, we must use all elements of American power to achieve our objectives, which is why I am committed to building our civilian national security capacity so that the burden is not continually pushed on to our military. We have learned that our political leaders must pursue the broad and bipartisan support that our national security policies depend upon, which is why I will consult with Congress and in carrying out my plans. And we have learned the importance of working closely with friends and allies, which is why we are launching a new era of engagement in the world.

The starting point for our policies must always be the safety of the American people. I know that you – the men and women of the finest fighting force in the history of the world – can meet any challenge, and defeat any foe. And as long as I am your Commander-in-Chief, I promise you that I will only send you into harm’s way when it is absolutely necessary, and provide you with the equipment and support you need to get the job done. That is the most important lesson of all – for the consequences of war are dire, the sacrifices immeasurable.

You know because you have seen those sacrifices. You have lived them. And we all honor them.

“Semper Fidelis” – it means always being faithful to Corps, and to country, and to the memory of fallen comrades like Corporal Jonathan Yale and Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter. These young men enlisted in a time of war, knowing they would face great danger. They came here, to Camp Lejeune, as they trained for their mission. And last April, they were standing guard in Anbar. In an age when suicide is a weapon, they were suddenly faced with an oncoming truck filled with explosives. These two Marines stood their ground. These two Marines opened fire. And these two Marines stopped that truck. When the thousands of pounds of explosives detonated, they had saved fifty Marines and Iraqi police who would have been in the truck’s path, but Corporal Yale and Lance Corporal Haerter lost their own lives. Jonathan was 21. Jordan was 19.

In the town where Jordan Haerter was from, a bridge was dedicated in his name. One Marine who traveled to the ceremony said: “We flew here from all over the country to pay tribute to our friend Jordan, who risked his life to save us. We wouldn’t be here without him.”

America’s time in Iraq is filled with stories of men and women like this. Their names are written into bridges and town squares. They are etched into stones at Arlington, and in quiet places of rest across our land. They are spoken in schools and on city blocks. They live on in the memories of those who wear your uniform, in the hearts of those they loved, and in the freedom of the nation they served.

Each American who has served in Iraq has their own story. Each of you has your own story. And that story is now a part of the history of the United States of America – a nation that exists only because free men and women have bled for it from the beaches of Normandy to the deserts of Anbar; from the mountains of Korea to the streets of Kandahar. You teach us that the price of freedom is great. Your sacrifice should challenge all of us – every single American – to ask what we can do to be better citizens.

There will be more danger in the months ahead. We will face new tests and unforeseen trials. But thanks to the sacrifices of those who have served, we have forged hard-earned progress, we are leaving Iraq to its people, and we have begun the work of ending this war.

Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America. Semper Fi.

Ellie

thedrifter
02-28-09, 05:54 AM
'You got the job done'
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February 27, 2009 - 7:40 PM
Staff and wire reports

President Barack Obama consigned the Iraq war to history Friday, telling Camp Lejeune Marines: "You got the job done."

Obama declared he will end combat operations within 18 months and open a new era of diplomacy in the Middle East.

"Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," Obama told Marines who are about to deploy by the thousands to the other war front, Afghanistan.

Even so, Obama will leave the bulk of troops in place this year, contrary to hopes of Democratic leaders for a speedier pullout. And after combat forces withdraw, 35,000 to 50,000 will stay behind for an additional year and half of support and counterterrorism duties.

Just six weeks into office, Obama used blunt terms and a cast-in-stone promise to write the last chapter of a war that began six years ago. It has cost more in lives, money and national stamina than ever envisioned.

"Iraq's future is now its own responsibility," Obama said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, flanked Obama during the announcement. It was a symbolic statement that top military advisers are on board with a strategy some had openly questioned before Obama's inauguration.

He thanked those in attendance whose sacrifices have led to an improvement in the Iraqi situation but hinted that work there is not done.

"Let there be no doubt," Obama said, "Iraq is not yet secure and there will be difficult days ahead."

After the withdrawal of combat troops, the mission will change from combat to supporting Iraqi government, Obama said, and the U.S. will maintain a transitional force initially made of about 35,000-50,000 US troops.

He said he intends to remove all US troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.

More than five years have passed since Bush declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq, a statement that proved false as sectarian violence brought Iraq to the brink of disaster.

Obama did not claim a mission accomplished. Instead, he suggested America accomplished the mission as best it could.

"But there should be no disagreement on what the men and women of our military have achieved," Obama said. "And so I want to be very clear: We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein's regime - and you got the job done. We kept our troops in Iraq to help establish a sovereign government - and you got the job done."

The president said U.S. troops will leave the Iraqi people with a hard-earned opportunity to live a better life. He called that a prospect that the U.S. military made possible.

He said: "America's men and women in uniform have fought block by block, province by province, year after year, to give the Iraqis this chance to choose a better future. Now, we must ask the Iraqi people to seize it."

Obama was moving to fulfill in large measure the defining promise of his campaign - to end combat operations within 16 months of taking office. He is doing it in 18 months instead.

He applauded the armed forces for its successes in Iraq, where U.S. deaths and violence in many parts of the country are significantly down.

He did not credit Bush's buildup of troops in 2007 as contributing to those improvements.

Obama said U.S. must end the war, both for the future of Iraq and to allow the U.S. to refocus its attention more firmly on Afghanistan.

Reaction came from everywhere.

In Iraq, where several TV stations showed Obama's speech live, some citizens applauded the ironclad withdrawal plan while others questioned whether Iraq could defend itself alone.

On Capitol Hill, Democratic leaders remained cool to the suggestion that tens of thousands of troops would remain.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said his announcement was good news because it meant an end to the war, but she cautioned that the troops left behind must have a "clearly defined" mission. Obama succeeded in winning over most Republicans, who initially dismissed the timeline as arbitrary.

Sen. John McCain, who lost the presidency to Obama, said he supported the plan.

"Let us have no crisis of confidence now," he told his colleagues on the Senate floor Friday. "Instead, let us welcome home our fighting men and women - not just thanking them for serving in Iraq, but congratulating them on bringing us to victory there."

The president who voted against the war as senator and ran against in his upstart White House bid said the Iraq conflict is one huge, painful lesson.

Admonishing the Bush era, Obama said the United States must no longer go to war without clearly defined goals. He said it must communicate the costs of war clearly, use diplomacy as well as military might, and not go it alone in security.

He also made a solemn promise: "I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary, and provide you with the equipment and support necessary to get the job done," he said. "The consequences of war are dire, the sacrifices immeasurable. You know because you've seen those sacrifices, you've lived them."

Ellie

thedrifter
02-28-09, 07:34 AM
They're Warriors, Not Victims

Here's the last part of today's speech by Obama:


Finally, I want to be very clear that my strategy for ending the war in Iraq does not end with military plans or diplomatic agendas it endures through our commitment to uphold our sacred trust with every man and woman who has served in Iraq.

You make up a fraction of the American population, but in an age when so many people and institutions have acted irresponsibly, you did the opposite you volunteered to bear the heaviest burden. And for you and for your families, the war does not end when you come home. It lives on in memories of your fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who gave their lives. It endures in the wound that is slow to heal, the disability that isn't going away, the dream that wakes you at night, or the stiffening in your spine when a car backfires down the street.

You and your families have done your duty now a grateful nation must do ours. That is why I am increasing the number of soldiers and Marines, so that we lessen the burden on those who are serving. And that is why I have committed to expanding our system of veterans health care to serve more patients, and to provide better care in more places. We will continue building new wounded warrior facilities across America, and invest in new ways of identifying and treating the signature wounds of this war: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as other combat injuries.

We also know that service does not end with the person wearing the uniform. In her visits with military families across the country, my wife Michelle has learned firsthand about the unique burden that your families endure every day. I want you to know this: military families are a top priority for Michelle and me, and they will be a top priority for my administration.

We'll raise military pay, and continue providing quality child-care, job-training for spouses, and expanded counseling and outreach to families that have known the separation and stress of war. We will also heed the lesson of history that those who fight in battle can form the backbone of our middle class by implementing a 21st century GI Bill to help our veterans live their dreams.


This is a very subtle form of the soldier-as-victim trope that is fast becoming an Iraq legacy. For soldiers throughout history--those who have endured physical and emotional sufferings of an essential similar quality, if less clinically expressed--the trials of war were at least partially ameliorated by the salve of personal honor and, if the battle went well, the celebration of a victory. The troops who have served and serve still in Iraq should be singled out not just for the burdens of the fight but because they emerge from it, as Bing West's book puts it, as the "strongest tribe."

No doubt there is a genuine tenderness in the president's feelings for soldiers. But there is little of the praise of warriors in his words. Gratitude or sympathy for suffering is quite different from honoring a sacrifice. I am sure Obama will honor his pledge to continue to ensure that people in uniform "form the backbone of our middle class." But the pay, the benefits, the programs alone are never enough and never, ultimately, what make the call to service worth answering.

It is never easy for a civilian to fully empathize with a soldier's experience, particularly with that of long-service professionals asked to serve constant watch on distant, dusty frontiers, in wars that ebb and flow but do not end. The only wisdom can come from acknowledging this almost unbridgeable gap and trying to mentally leap across it. Soldiers more easily see that we civilians are not like them; we civilians are mistakenly prone to think that soldiers are like us.

For the president, the civilian who stands at the beginning of the chain of command--who, by his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief really resides on the far side of the gap--making the leap is an obligation, not an option. He, above all, should speak to his troops in the language of duty, honor, and country which is their native tongue but seems to be such a foreign dialect to a detached, cool, post-modern politician. President Obama must not simply bind up the soldier's wounds or care for his widow, but lead him.

Posted by Tom Donnelly on February 27, 2009 04:00 PM


Ellie