Wednesday, April 2, 2003
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Wednesday, April 2, 2003 |
Chambliss delivers tribute to Georgia troops deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom(U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., delivered the following tribute Thursday from the floor of the Senate to Georgia troops deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.) I rise today to pay tribute to the brave service men and women from Georgia who are serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Several weeks ago I had the privilege of being in Fort Stewart, which is located in Hinesville, to visit with several hundred of our men and women preparing to leave as soon as we finished our visit to board an airplane headed for Kuwait. They are members of the 3rd Infantry Division, one of the more notable infantry divisions in the history of our great country. I swelled with pride as I had the opportunity to visit with those men and women who were so prepared, so well trained, and so well equipped to ensure that democracy and freedom continue to ring and to do what is necessary on their part to free the people of Iraq from the dreaded rule of Saddam Hussein. The 3rd Infantry Division is known as the "Rock of the Marne." They fought bravely in World War I and they held their ground during the Battle of Marne when surrounding units retreated. Since then they have been operating under the motto, "We'll stay there." Their most famous soldier was one of the most decorated soldiers in the history of the United States, Audie Murphy. They have a proud history of serving in World War II, the Korean war, and Operation Desert Storm. Georgia and America can be proud of the history that the 3rd is making today in Iraq. Currently, there are over 7,000 tanks, humvees, Bradley armored vehicles, and trucks in theater. This is undoubtedly one of the largest convoys ever in the history of the United States military. They are facing heavy resistance and fierce sand storms, but because of their training and their preparation, thankfully they have suffered only light casualties. This morning, as we speak, the 3rd Infantry Division is less than 50 miles from Baghdad, preparing to encounter the elite Iraqi Republican Guard. Over the last 3 days, soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division have surrounded the city of Najaf and taken captive over 500 Iraqi soldiers in their effort to liberate the Iraqi people and overthrow the oppressive Iraqi regime. In addition to the 3rd Infantry Division, there are many other brave men and women deployed from Georgia to the Middle East and Afghanistan, including the 94th Airlift Wing from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Atlanta; the 165th Airlift Wing from Savannah; the 4th Supply Battalion from the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, which is near my home; the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron from the Naval Air Station in Atlanta; the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion in Atlanta, from the Army Reserve, and the 116th Air Control Wing from Robins Air Force Base, who are very proud of flying the Joint STARS weapon system. I have had the privilege of representing Robins Air Force Base for the last 8 years as a Member of the House. I have flown with the Joint STARS about four times. They are so proud of the work they do, and justly so. They are the eyes of the Army when it comes to gathering intelligence on the enemy and its movement. Sadly, they are also prisoners of war and brave soldiers that have been killed and wounded in the line of duty from Georgia. Just this week, there was an Apache helicopter shot down. On that helicopter were two chief warrant officers: Rob Young from Lithia Springs, and David Williams. Both of these men now are prisoners of war of the Iraqi Army. I had the opportunity to visit with Officer Young's father on Tuesday this week. He was obviously, like all of his family and all Americans, very concerned about the health and safety of his son. But he was so proud of the work that his son was doing and so proud that his son was doing exactly what he wanted to do. I share in that pride with his family. Killed in action in Iraq over the last couple of days have been Specialist Jamaal R. Addison of the 507th Maintenance Company from Fort Bliss, TX, who is a resident of Roswell; and Specialist Gregory P. Sanders from Company B, 3rd Battalion of 69th Armor, stationed at Fort Stewart. Unfortunately, also killed in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan over the last few days, they were flying a Pave Hawk search and rescue helicopter, 1LT Tamara Archuleta, SSgt Jason Hicks, MSgt Michael Maltz, SrA Jason Plite, LTC John Stein, and SSgt John Teal, all from Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. We will be praying for them and their families in this time of hardship and sorrow. The men and women I have described are all part of the all-volunteer force that make up the best and brightest our country has to offer. They have chosen to put their lives on the line for the freedom of their families and their country, and we could never adequately express our gratitude for the sacrifice they and their families have made and will continue to make for the United States. I am proud of all of these young men and women. I salute them. We want to make sure they and their families know they continue to be in our prayers. We wish for immediate success and a safe return of all. (Sen. Chambliss serves on the Senate Select Intelligence Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee.)
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