(AP) -- President Barack Obama declared Tuesday night that after years of sacrifice the U.S. combat role in Afghanistan is winding down just as it has already ended in Iraq. "We can see the light of a new day on the horizon," he said on the anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death.
As President Obama broadcasted from an air base halfway around the world, in the middle of a war zone, Central New Yorkers watched as he outlined our future in Afghanistan.
"It's time to come home, we've run our course there," said Pat Breen.
"I don't think we should be there. They fought before we got there and they'll fight after we leave," said Veteran Delbert Jones.
President Obama spoke after signing an agreement with Afghan President Hamid Karzai setting post-war promises and expectations.
The president landed in Bagram in darkness, and his helicopter roared to Kabul for the meeting with Karzai, under close guard, with only the outlines of the nearby mountains visible. Later, back at the base, he was surrounded by U.S. troops, shaking every hand. He ended his lightning visit with the speech delivered straight to the television camera - and the voters he was trying to reach back home.
"This time of war began in Afghanistan," he said. "With faith in each other, and our eyes fixed on the future, let us finish the work at hand and forge a just and lasting peace."
The written agreement that he and Karzai signed is to cover the decade after the planned final withdrawal of U.S. combat troops in 2014. Obama said American forces will be involved in counter-terrorism and training of the Afghan military. "But we will not build permanent bases in this country, nor will we be patrolling its cities and mountains."
In his speech to the nation, President Obama said, "I recognize many Americans are tired of war."
He said that last year, "we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace, with more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
