Yesterday -- after 19 months commanding American troops in Iraq -- command of U.S. forces passed from General David Petraeus to General Ray Odierno.

This nation owes General Petraeus our gratitude. As the person responsible for directing the "surge," he understood, when others doubted, that victory in Iraq was possible.

General Petraeus, and those under his command, have taken the fight to Al-Qaeda in Iraq and have them on the run. The achievements of our military in Iraq are unparalleled in the history of counterinsurgency warfare and will be studied and written about for generations.

I thought you would appreciate this farewell letter from General Petraeus to the troops. His words are worth our time.
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