ceremony. after 13 years, u.s. troops officially completed their combat mission in afghanistan. nato military forces held that ceremony with u.s. officials a few days earlier than expected. but nearly 11,000 members of the u.s. military will remain in noncombat responsibilities. on christmas day president obama marked the beginning of the end of the marine corps, talking to the marines in hawaii. >> because of the extraordinary service the men and women in american armed forces afghanistan has a chance to rebuild its own country. we are safer. it's not going to be a source of terrorist attacks again. >> joining me now from honolulu is nbc news senior white house correspondent chris jansing. chris, how is the president painting the situation right now in afghanistan? >> well patrick, we're expecting an official statement from the president within the hour. but i think we'll hear him say that he believes as a result of sacrifices made by american