The capture of Saddam Hussein by U.S. troops Sunday represents a great victory for how the world once was and how it can be again. Even though the U.S. military is the most high-tech fighting force in the world, it is an old school institution. Old schools still have soldiers. New schools have guerrillas or terrorists. Old schools wage battles attacking military targets. New schools wage terror campaigns that target women and children. Old schools seek a military victory. New schools only seek to inflict pain.

It’s comforting to know that this old school, the United States, still can deliver a valuable lesson. Americans should take great pride in the fact that Saddam Hussein was captured by an honorable fighting force, fighting for an honorable cause. We thank those men and women for their services and their sacrifices.

We’re hopeful that his capture also will serve as a powerful reminder to everyone in this country that Americans are in this war together. Yes, the Bush administration’s handling of Iraq has created controversy. But regardless of your thoughts on the existence of weapons of mass destruction or the need for a larger international coalition, who among us doesn’t feel better that Saddam Hussein is no longer on the loose?

Despite our differences on policy matters, this country never has lacked consensus that Saddam violated the world’s trust by invading Kuwait, torturing his own people and ordering the killing of hundreds of thousands. America has long spoken with one voice that Saddam Hussein does not deserve to be free. We hope others in the world who believe that our differences have created cracks in our foundation note that, on Sunday, this was a country united by pride and joy.

Saddam’s capture may not make our lives easier in the immediate future. Attacks on our soldiers are likely to continue. Terrorists will try to find ways to inflict damage and instill fear. But still, in a world so uncertain that once-mundane places like office towers and airports are now approached with caution, it feels awfully good to be able to say what we’re going to do and then do what we say.

Yes, we know we haven’t caught Osama bin Laden and other terrorists, but we’re still looking, and as Saddam can now attest, the United States usually gets the job done. His capture sends a powerful message to those eager to damage or defeat what this country stands for. Rogue countries and terrorists alike should remember two points. We’re still the United States of America. And we still deliver.