Obama marks end of Afghan mission by praising US troops, others for their 'extraordinary sacrifice'

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

President Obama on Sunday marked the end of the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan by calling it a “milestone” for the county and thanking American troops and others for their “extraordinary sacrifice,” including the more than 2,200 who died in the fight.

 

“On this day we give thanks,” the president said. “We are safer, and our nation is more secure because of their service.

 

“We salute every American -- military and civilian, including our dedicated diplomats and development workers -- who have served in Afghanistan, many on multiple tours, just as their families have sacrificed at home.”

 

The 13-year occupation by the United States and its NATO allies started with airstrikes against Usama bin Laden's Al Qaeda and its Taliban protectors after the 9-11 terror attacks and ended Sunday with a ceremony at the joint-military headquarters in Kabul.

 

As part of the ceremony, Gen. John Campbell, commander of the U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force, rolled up and sheathed the green-and-white ISAF flag and unfurled the flag of the new international mission, called Resolute Support.

 

"Resolute Support will serve as the bedrock of an enduring partnership" between NATO and Afghanistan, Campbell told an audience of Afghan and international military officers and officials, as well as diplomats and journalists.

 

The passing of 2014 will not see the complete departure of American soldiers from Afghanistan, as the ISAF will transition to a supporting role with 13,500 soldiers, almost 11,000 of them American, starting Jan. 1.

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Our longest war sort of comes to an end.