Amid all the turmoil of America's first two centuries, no one ever legitimately claimed the occasional violence and upheaval -- and even a civil war -- meant that the Revolutionary War was either a mistake or a failure.

Likewise, Iraq will see its share of bloody struggles in the months and years to come. But that will in no way taint the country's rebirth as a free nation.

That rebirth was celebrated Tuesday as National Sovereignty Day -- the day U.S. forces pulled out of cities and, in the biggest way yet, handed Iraq back to Iraqis.

"While we celebrate this day," said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, "we express our thanks and gratitude to our friends in the coalition forces who faced risks and responsibilities and sustained casualties and damage while helping Iraq to get rid from the ugliest dictatorship and during the joint effort to impose security and stability."

Jubilant Iraqis set off fireworks and cheered and danced to patriotic songs. That's what the day meant to them.

Of course, what they do with their newfound freedom is totally up to them. But they have indeed been pulled out from under the tyrant's thumb.

Caught up in the latest isolated terrorist bombing and the political hysteria that America had actually "lost" the war, the major media missed much of what has happened the past few years. Consequently, they may never tell the real story of Iraq's independence.

The real story is one of inestimable courage and sacrifice by extraordinary Americans who make up history's greatest and most professional fighting force.

They secured neighborhoods and highways and established checkpoints to protect Iraqi citizens. They fought terrorists house to house. They built streets and schools and bridges and more. They trained Iraqis to protect themselves and their country. They set the framework for dialogue and a new political and constitutional beginning. They protected Iraqis who sometimes risked their lives to vote.

They did it all while enduring withering heat and sandstorms and myriad other discomforts. They did it while missing their loved ones desperately -- and they did it over the course of years and multiple deployments.

They did it while some rubber-spined, myopic politicians back home declared their mission hopeless, the war lost. They did it while some elected leaders voted to stop supplying them, after sending them into harm's way.

With nary a complaint, they did it on behalf of a new Iraq whose citizens were more grateful than most of us realize, but who understandably want foreign troops out, and who, in many cases, may never fully appreciate what was done for them.

But ultimately, they did it on our behalf.

American patriots fought for our independence some 233 years ago. Today -- as in two world wars, Korea and elsewhere -- their successors fight for other people's freedom.

Let it be known that at the end of the day, the people of at least two nations are deeply grateful.