The soldiers didn't lose anything.
They did the job asked of them.
However, we can't win a war without objectives.
It's funny how many times the goal has been changed.
We're looking for WMDS, ummmm, no we're out to get Saddam, ummmm, no we're trying to free the Iraqi's, ummmm no we're trying to bring peace and democracy to the middle east.
You can't change the goals after they've been achieved in order to reflect victory. This war is a FAIL because we never set a clear cut "victory". Good luck searching for those WMD's.
The administration has done a superb job at spinning every aspect of the war. The surge is WORKING!!! Yea, well why the hell did we need a surge to begin with? To quell an upswing in violence against us in the country we're liberating? Oh but it's Iran doing this or Al-Queda... not the Iraqi people.
Good job soldiers, I support you, you didn't fail.
Your president failed you.