President Obama makes Unannounced Visit to Iraq

President Barack Obama flew unannounced into Iraq on Tuesday, he was met by a cheering crowd of about 600 U. S. Troops.

This was Mr. Obama’s first trip to Iraq since becoming president. President Obama opposed the war and has quickly moved to reshape it since his inauguration, announcing plans to draw down troops as he begins to shift the military’s focus to the troubled war in Afghanistan.

President Obama declared it is time for Iraqis "take responsibility for their country" after America's commitment of six years and thousands of lives.

"You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country," the president said as he made a brief inspection of a war he opposed as candidate and now vows to end as commander in chief. "That is an extraordinary achievement."

We've lost a total of 4,266 U.S. lives in Iraq since March 2003, and President Obama said American forces had "performed brilliantly under enormous strain."

It makes me proud to see our President in action. A friend of mine served two deployments in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. I am so happy to know that he won't face another deployment and that the President will be bringing our troops home.

I agree with the President, it's time for the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country.

Thank you President Obama for all that you do!!