A formal ceremony was held Thursday at Soldier Field's Memorial Water Wall to honor the end of the War in Iraq.
Representatives from all four branches of the military attended, including reserve and active members.
"I wanted people to remember that men and women died for the country and that we're withdrawing from Iraq and that they should not be forgotten, and having served in Vietnam, knowing that when the troops left Vietnam I was disheartened, there was nothing really there for us, I made up my mind I would never forget," said Vietnam War Veteran and current Ald. James Balcer (11th).
Balcer commended President Barack Obama on his decision to withdraw from Iraq and expressed hope that the country remained stable. He said he hopes a withdrawl from Afghanistan would soon be possible, as well.
American occupation in Iraq officially ended last week.
