Beginning with the initial invasion andcontinuing through counterinsurgency operations, the U.S. Marine Corps has played aninstrumental role in Operational Iraqi Freedom. Today, Anbar province is on its way to anew future.

Not long ago, Anbar was considered to be one of Iraq’s most dangerous regions. Hardcore Sunni nationalists, al-Qaeda, and other extremists used the cities, towns and countryside of Anbar as their base of operationsmaking for a perpetually tumultuous environment. However, as they have throughoutour nation’s history, U.S. Marines met this great challenged, fought to overcome thesignificant obstacles they faced and accomplished their mission.

Anbar now stands as the centerpiece of U.S.-Iraqi cooperation due to effective counterinsurgency operations, which perfectly blended tenacious fighting with confidence-building measures. Thanks to Marine efforts, Anbar was the epicenter for the Sunni Awakening and served as the model for units toemulate during the ‘‘surge” of forces in 2007.

Every Marine that has served in Iraq can be proud that their efforts have brought stability to a nation once consumed by violence and given the people of Iraq the freedom to choose their leaders. We will never forget the over 1,000 Marines who sacrificed their lives for this noble undertaking, and I pledge to carry on our mission of building a stable, sovereign and self-reliant Iraq in their honor. It has been the greatest privilege to serve with the U.S. Marine Corps, and I know that Americans everywhere take comfort in knowing that their Marine Corps remains always faithful in the defense of our way of life.

With respect and admiration,
Raymond T. Odierno, General
United States Army, Commanding