COMMENTARY | After September, 11, 2001, the American government and its people knew they were going to have a fight on their hands. No one knew exactly who the battle would be against or how the battle would end, but nonetheless they were ready to wage war.
In March of 2003, former President George W. Bush gave the orders for American troops to invade Iraq.
In late 2006, Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging. Many people thought the war would end with his death, but they had no idea how long after his death that day would come.
Today, Oct. 21, 2011, President Barack Obama told the world that after nearly nine years, “America’s war in Iraq will be over.” He went on to say: “The coming months will be a season of homecomings. Our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays.”
After the announcement from President Obama, Twitter and Facebook users flocked to their social network of choice to share the good news. Celebratory posts and tweets covered the walls of both networks.
Some of the Facebook posts and Twitter tweets read:
“Troops are coming home!” Anonymous
“Is the war REALLY over?” Anonymous
“The war is over? Who won?” Anonymous
A lot of people are commending President Obama for doing what he promised by ending a long, hard-fought war that many people thought should have ended years ago.
It’s important that Americans remember that the war on terror will never truly end. As long as there are terrorists out there looking to harm innocent people, the war will rage on.
It’s also important that the soldiers that have made the ultimate sacrifice not be forgotten. According to CNN.com more than 4,796 US and coalition soldiers have given their lives for the cause. To provide a safer future for their families and the families of their counties.
The answer to the last anonymous post is, no one ever really wins, everyone loses in war. Today, the “winners” are the families of the remaining soldiers because today they learned that their days of living in fear are finally coming to an end.