According to the Guardian this morning,

The last American combat troops left Iraq today, seven-and-a-half years after the US-led invasion, and two weeks ahead of President Barack Obama's 31 August deadline for withdrawal from the country.

Seven years late, but two weeks early. And only fifty-six thousand left in country. It reminds me of Marilyn Monroe's missed appointment with Bert Stern, if I remember the photographer correctly. She appeared unannounced and unexpected the following morning. She was, in her wonderful logic, "a day late, but two hours early."