Icon of US military now in Iraqi hands

[dipsydoodle]

Source: AP Dec 2, 4:13 AM EST

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq (AP) -- Inside palace walls built by Saddam Hussein, U.S. generals plotted the war's course, tracked the mounting death toll and swore in new American citizens under gaudy glass chandeliers.

Just outside the palace, American troops whacked golf balls into man-made lakes or fished for carp while others sat down with a cigar and a can of nonalcoholic beer hoping for a respite from incoming rockets or mortar shells.

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Ever since the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division fought their way into the Baghdad airport grounds nearly nine years ago, the sprawling area they renamed Camp Victory has held a special place in the American military experience in Iraq.

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On Friday, the base that at its height was home to 46,000 people was handed over to the Iraqi government as part of American efforts to move all U.S. troops out of the country by the end of the year.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAQ_END_OF_VICTORY?SITE=MITRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[DCBob]

1. I love reading stories like this. Its such a satisfying feeling to finally get the ef out of there.

Getting out of Iraq has been my main issue and the President has followed through on his promise. Cheers!

[No Elephants]

6. Actually, we tried to negotiate remaining there, but the Iraqis would not agree to grant

our troops (mercenaries, too?) immunity from crimes they committed.

A number of articles were posted in LBN over the last six or so months detailing that.

[DCBob]

10. If the POTUS wanted to stay in Iraq we would be staying in Iraq.

If McCain were President we would be staying there for "100 years".

[hlthe2b]

2. How utterly unseemly that our troops looked upon this as THEIRS...

:eyes:

[Kolesar]

3. That's what *you* said

not them

[hlthe2b]

5. Can you not read the headline? "Icon of US military now in Iraqi hands"

Obviously SOMEONE in the military believed it to be THEIR icon. Try a little reading comprehension before pulling out the snark.

[Kolesar]

7. An icon gets you in a pucker

sad

[hlthe2b]

8. Sad that you defend our imperialistic tendencies.

:eyes:

[dballance]

4. Carp? Who fishes for that? It's such a white trash catch.

When I lived on a lake we'd thrown carp back in rather than keep them to eat.

[Nihil]

9. Probably a Koi pond in the grounds.

Wonder if they used a rod & line or just a hand-grenade?

[Posteritatis]

11. Icon of Iraq now in Iraqi hands, that should say. (nt)