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ISHPEMING -- "Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended.  Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country."

Remember the date - August 31, 2010.  With those words, President Barack Obama officially changed America's role in Iraq.

The President announced that we've removed almost 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq; still, 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in the country to advise and assist the Iraqi people.

"At every turn, America's men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve," says President Obama.  "As Commander-In-Chief, I am proud of their service.  Like all Americans, I am awed by their sacrifice and the sacrifices of their families."

Since March of 2003, more than 4,400 Americans have given the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, but President Obama told millions tonight that America's involvement has made Iraq a safer place.

"Ending this war is not only in Iraq's interest, it is in our own.  The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people.  We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home," President Obama adds.

So while our role is changing, our presence in Iraq is still important.  Locally, the 107th Engineer Battalion has deployed six units, totaling 500 soldiers, since 2003.  They've been responsible for everything from destroying roadside explosives to engineering construction projects.

"We're unclear on what the impact of tonight's speech is going to have on our unit specifically," says Captain Mark McNeill of the 107th.  "We know we still have our state mission, we still have units getting ready to go to Afghanistan and other deployments across the globe."

"One of the great things about living up here is if you're in uniform and walking into a store, someone thanks you for your service, and that's an awesome feeling," says SFC David Lundin, 107th Engineer Battalion.

That's the attitude that keeps America safe.  President Obama said in his address that by the end of next year, all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq and focusing more on Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and next August, Afghanistan's military will transition into a position of control.

"Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility," President Obama states.  "Now, it is time to turn the page."

The President concluded his speech by touching on the economy, saying that the United States needs to focus on putting people back to work, strengthening the middle class, and educating our children.