Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) — Plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to 50,000 by the end of this month are on schedule, according to a prepared speech President Obama is scheduled to deliver Monday.
“Next month, we will change our military mission from combat to supporting and training Iraqi security forces,” Obama says in remarks prepared for the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans.
But danger for troops on the ground remains, he says.
“The hard truth is we have not seen the end of American sacrifice in Iraq,” Obama says. “But make no mistake, our commitment in Iraq is changing — from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats.”
He stresses that Americans should pay tribute to veterans who served in Iraq.