By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2010 – President Barack Obama traveled today to Fort Bliss, Texas, to pay tribute to the post’s servicemembers, whose contributions and those of their comrades made possible tomorrow’s milestone marking the official end of combat operations in Iraq.  “Congratulations, on a job well done,” Obama told about 130 1st Armored Division soldiers, accompanied their spouses, who’d recently returned from Iraq as they gathered in a post dining facility.  “There has not been a single mission that has been assigned to all of you in which you have not performed with gallantry, with courage, with excellence,” the president said. “That is something the entire country understands.”  Thanks to these efforts, he said, “Iraq has an opportunity to create a better future for itself and America is more secure.”

For the entire article, click here.