Baghdad fell on April 9, 2003, Hussein and his regime were brought down, we declared "Mission Accomplished" and celebrated victory . . . and chaos erupted. We did not assert control and authority over the country, especially Baghdad. We did not bring with us the capacity to impose our will. We did not take charge. And Iraq did not in a few weeks magically transform itself into a stable nation with democratic leaders. Instead a raging insurgency engulfed the country.

90 percent of my time is spent on 10 percent of the world.

Have fun in your command. Don't always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you've earned it, spend time with your families.

Have a vision. Be demanding.

Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it.

None of us can change our yesterdays but all of us can change our tomorrows.

You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy.