You are welcome, Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqis welcomed the Tuesday deadline for American troops to leave their towns and cities with a street festival in Baghdad, though fears of renewed violence tempered celebrations of what their government called "National Sovereignty Day."

4317 U.S. military dead. Over 100 thousand wounded.

The U.K., over 100 dead.

Canada, at least 5 dead.

Other coalition forces, over 200 dead.

Have a nice party, Iraq.

You were freed from one of the most brutal dictators in history.

Our forces prevented you from being overrun by Iran. It would have been like a pile of fire ants on a dead rat.

Have a nice party, Iraq.

We will never forget what we lost there.

Maybe one day you will remember.