Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld was visiting Iraq, a Pentagon spokesman said, a day after an emotional farewell at the Pentagon. "He's there to express his appreciation to the troops and to thank both the troops and their families for the sacrifices they are making," said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, a Defense Department spokesman, on Saturday. It was Rumsfeld's 15th trip to Iraq since the war began; he was last there in July. Rumsfeld's trip follows Friday's Pentagon farewell, where the defense secretary defended his record on Iraq and Afghanistan.