Last U.S. Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq: Instant Reactions

(Aug. 18) -- They're coming home -- early. On Wednesday evening in America, the Web lit up with the news that the final designated combat brigade, made up of some 4,000 U.S. soldiers, was leaving Iraq two weeks ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline set by President Obama. The historic moment, as MSNBC noted, effectively

"... [Brings] to a close the active combat phase of a 7½-year war that overthrew the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein, forever defined the presidency of George W. Bush and left more than 4,400 American service members and tens of thousands of Iraqis dead."

Of course, as the departing soldiers themselves were quick to point out, the event doesn't mean that the U.S. is out of the country entirely -- far from it, in fact. An additional 50,000 American servicemen and women will remain in the country for at least another year in an "advisory" or "noncombat" role.

As such, reactions from Web users were about as divided as the opinion on the war itself. While most celebrated the official (and arguably second) end to Operation Iraqi Freedom, many couldn't help but point out that the U.S. was still leaving behind an enormous, enduring footprint in Iraq, for better or worse, not to mention a highly uncertain future. Here's the roundup:

Blogosphere

"I don't think anyone can really express the depths of gratitude we must all share for the dangerous, dirty work these heroes did."
-- Ace, Ace of Spades HQ

"This is therefore a victory for the troops those who fought and died and those who survived, and a vindication of George Bush's effort to democratize Iraq. .. If Obama was honest he say – as most of the left would – that they are p---ed off the damn thing didn't blow up and fail. That's what they politicked on and hoped for, but thank God it didn't."
-- MacRanger, MacsMind

"Now we know where Rachel Maddow has been hiding these past few days: Baghdad."
-- Frances Martel, Mediaite

"Anyone who thinks that there will be no U.S. forces in Iraq is mistaken – we will continue to suffer casualties and spend money while the fractious politicians in Baghdad try to get a grip on their fragile democracy ... Sadly, the odds of long-term success are long."
--- Jack Jacobs, NBC

"And at the end of a live journey with embedded reporters, the war "ends"and the "last troops" come home. Except that all the fighting is still going on and the bulk of the troops are still there, and not leaving for months or even years."
-- Jason Ditz, Antiwar

"Thank you for your service. Godspeed on your way home."
-- Modern Esquire, Plunderbund.

Twitter

As the last Combat Brigade leaves Iraq, never forget those that paid the ultimate price there...for me, and you.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckHeidi
usmcwife8999

Thank goodness the war in Iraq is over. America can breathe a bit easier now. And I can too. Phew!less than a minute ago via webJake Rousseau
myspacesuperfan

So the worst president ever has gotten Health Care, Financial Reform, got all the combat troops out Iraq in a year and halfless than a minute ago via webSean Breeze
SeanBreeze

Thank god Bush set up a withdrawal plan for Obama to take credit for. :Dless than a minute ago via webIron Mike Norton
ironmikenorton

Congratulations, America, for getting the last of the combat troops out of Iraq. I never thought this day would come.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckDefunct Games
DefunctGames

Last American combat troops leaving Iraq and all I can think about are the heroes who gave their lives there. #prayers #fbless than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Kris Ketz
KrisKetz

We can rush 100,000 or so troops into Iraq for no reason, but they can't put one lousy new mosque downtown NYC? #p2less than a minute ago via TweetDeckLisa HJ
thecitizeNY

Watching the Series Finale of the Iraq War. Not sure the producers will answer all the mysteries they set up.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneJohnnyZito
JohnnyZito