This question struck me today for the following reason. You see, I was fortunate enough to be living in France when that country celebrated the 50th anniversary of D-day. For weeks leading up to the festivities, the coverage highlighted the brave sacrifices of each component of the landing force, transforming French TV into the History channel, and mixing known facts with uniquely individual stories of heroism that most would have thought forgotten by all but the families who experienced them. Given the propensity for bashing everything French, it would not surprise me if Americans didn't believe that as producers they overplayed their role in the affair, but they would be wrong. They were both honest and critical about the small part they played.
All in all, it was a very moving tribute, one which gave the newer generations a better understanding of what awful price many strangers paid to bring them freedom. I remember in particular the story of the boys of Bedford, Virginia, a small town that proportionally lost the most men during the landing. For some reason this tribute really resonated with the locals I knew. Anyway, it was both a reflective and joyful time, a moment when France really wanted to be a worthy host for the returning survivors and their families. However, it was not the first time that many of these men had made the journey back. The bonds forged from their experiences had compelled multiple trips over the years. There was definitely pride in what they had accomplished and genuine friendship with the locals in the small areas that they had been responsible for liberating. We were treated to a number of these stories, with wonderful snapshots of family vacations over the years.
Will that same feeling exist with the Iraqis? Can it after all that has come to pass? Liberating a population from a tyrant only to set the stage for a civil war is hardly the making for a grateful nation. Fear is fear, loss is loss, death is death. Will the TV coverage in 2053 be showing the start of a decade long power struggle between Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds, with the Americans camped out in heavily fortified zones, or, worse yet, will it talk about the act that ignited a regional war? Even without these dreadful possibilities, I somewhat doubt that what will come to pass will ultimately give rise to a cause for celebration.
Just some musings for this special day.