SIGHAR, Iraq - U.S. Army 1st Lt. Patrick Vankirk, from 1st Armored Division's, 1st Brigade, helps a young Iraqi boy try on a new shirt during a combat patrol Tuesday April 4, 2006.

Three years ago, April 9, 2003, Iraqis and U.S. Marines toppled a giant statue of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad 's Firdos Square, a symbol of the beginning of a new, free Iraq.

In a joint statement, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and Multi-National Force - Iraq Commander Gen. George Casey celebrated this third anniversary of Iraqi Freedom Day, addressing the historic toppling of Saddam's statue:

“This act was not just symbolic,” the statement read. “It signaled the beginning of a fledgling democracy that continues to mature. During the past year alone, Iraqis have elected a Constitutional government, drafted and ratified a constitution and held successful elections for their new national assembly. Through 2005 more and more Iraqis decided to engage in building the new Iraq , culminating in almost 75 percent of registered voters casting ballots in December's election.”

Khalilzad and Casey's statement continued, “Iraqi Freedom Day is a time to reflect on what has happened, and what still needs to happen. Despite much progress, much work remains. We must continue to help Iraqis create a strong, stable and successful new democracy. The Iraqi people and their elected representatives must choose a competent government that will develop a program for Iraq that benefits all Iraqis.”

The statement also highlighted the significant gains in the development of Iraq 's security forces, noting that they have nearly doubled from 127,000 this time last year to more than 250,000 today. Currently, 50 Iraqi Army Battalions, 13 Brigades, and two Divisions own their own battlespace and roughly 65 percent of recent operations were planned and conducted by them.

Significant gains have also been made in infrastructure as more than 9,340 projects valued at $9.3 billion have been completed with many more underway throughout the country. These projects employ nearly 1.5 million Iraqis as they build schools, clinics, roads and other infrastructure projects.

“The United States and its Coalition partners will remain steadfast partners and encourage progress,” the statement read. “In the end, Iraq will succeed. Its success will help transform the wider Middle East and give even greater meaning to Iraqi Freedom Day.”

(Compiled from official State and Defense Department sources)