A Visit With Heroes

A Visit With Heroes

Rep. Boozman's Column for the Week of September 13, 2004

Washington, Sep 13 - In the past, I have used this space to praise the brave men and women who are serving abroad in the United States military. As we approach the three-year mark since the War on Terror began, it is important to once again thank them for their sacrifices.

I recently returned from a trip to the Middle East where I had the opportunity to thank many of these brave men and women in person. I, along with five of my House colleagues, visited troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti and Spain.

Many of the men and women stationed in these countries are from Arkansas. More Arkansans have been deployed since my previous trip to Iraq in January, including the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade, which was sent to Iraq in the Spring. Before they left, I had a chance to visit with many of them at their send-off ceremony at Fort Polk. Now, several months later, I had a chance to reconnect with them abroad.

The Arkansans I met with, like all the other troops there, were in good spirits. Many of these men and women have been abroad for a long time and they were concerned about whether or not the folks back home still cared about them. They are very proud of what they are doing and believe in their mission. I wanted to relate to them that the people of Arkansas haven't forgotten about them and we are very proud of their sacrifice and their families' sacrifices.

I also wanted to make sure our troops are receiving everything they need to remain safe while carrying out their mission. The troops assured me that their equipment was top-notch and that they were getting the support they needed from Congress and the Pentagon to be successful. This was very reassuring to hear, especially in light of some the early reports.

Most of all, they were happy to see someone from back home. We spent a good deal of the time chatting about the prospects for a successful year for our Razorbacks this Fall. In the commissary in Afghanistan, the Arkansas troops had a huge inflatable Hog to show their Arkansas pride this football season.

Our trip also included briefings with high-level officials including Ayad Allawi, the interim Prime Minister of Iraq and Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan. Each expressed their sincere gratitude for our troops successful efforts to liberate their countries from the dictatorial regimes of Saddam Hussein and the Taliban. While discussing the amazing progress that has been made in both their countries, they praised our troops for making the world a safer place.

Prime Minister Allawi and President Karzai were right; our troops have done a great service to the world. They have made the world safer through their sacrifices. We must never forget this. Please keep these brave men and women, as well as their families back home, in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to carry out their mission abroad.