Photo By Spc. Douglas York | Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), chats with Sgt. 1st Class Troy Merritt (far right), a...... read more read more
By Spc. Douglas York
Multi-National Division-Baghdad Public Affairs Office
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — During an election year, politicians from all parties travel across the countryside, reaching out to constituents in urban areas and rural towns, seeking input and spreading their messages.
Despite all of that travel, hard work and dedication to their campaigns and their home states and territories, it is unlikely that many others will reach out as far as the four congressmen who recently spent time in Baghdad with a few of the service members from their respective states.
Representatives Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), David Loebsack (D-Iowa), Michael Turner (R-Ohio) and Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), visited Aug. 14, 2008, and had lunch with troops and civilian contractors serving with the 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, as well as with service members from Multi-National Corps – Iraq.
"It's a standard visit that the congressional delegations typically do," said Capt. Scott Messare, a native of Rochester, N.Y., who serves as the officer in charge of the Ironhorse Visitors Bureau, as well as the protocol officer for Company A, Division Special Troops Battalion , 4th Inf. Div., MND-B. "They come over and they visit with their constituents," he added.
Though the visit may have been simply a standard practice, it certainly did not feel like a normal event to those Soldiers and civilians who were selected to attend.
"I think it's pretty good for morale to see someone who is high up there coming out here and visiting the troops," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rosseler Carreon, a native of Dededo, Guam, who serves in the communications and signal help desk for MNC-I. "By coming here, it shows that they really look out for us – that they care for us and want to see how we are doing."
Carreon and the others in attendance were specifically selected to meet with the congressmen by their units and civilian companies because they are from the states and territories the public servants represent.
"The families in our hometowns will look at this and realize that they are trying to get out and see the Soldiers from their hometown," said Pfc. Derrick Carr, a native of Toledo, Ohio, who serves in the Fire and Effects Cell, Co. A, DSTB, 4th Inf. Div. "I appreciate it a lot because these representatives have taken the time to come and actually sit down with their [states'] Soldiers and eat lunch," he added.
Carr was not the only person who felt this way. Most of those in attendance seemed to enjoy the meeting and were grateful and eager to meet not only a congressman but someone from home.
"I appreciate the time that the congressmen, the senators or anyone that comes from the state of Iowa, spends over here with the Soldiers," said Sgt. Scott Buss, a native of Hampton, Iowa, who serves as the night operations non-commissioned officer in charge for the division command group's personal security detail, and is assigned to Co. D, DSTB, 4th Inf. Div. "It's a good morale booster," he added.
The visit, however, was not completely geared toward meeting and greeting their overseas constituents. Messare explained that there was definitely business to be attended to.
"They try to get a feel for the environment, how the political and economic situation has developed in the last few years, basically doing litmus [test] for the funding and where all of our resources are going," he said, elaborating that it is hard to tell what the representative's assessment and reports will be. "I think, ultimately, they're going to see that the situation here is vastly improved."
The reports the congressmen take back with them won't strictly be about the progress in Iraq but also how well the troops are being treated.
"I think the purpose of the visit is to primarily assess the situation here in Iraq and to find out how the troops are doing, the morale of the troops, and to get their thoughts on how things are going compared to several years ago," said Sgt. 1st Class Troy Merritt, a native of Austin, Texas, who serves in the division automated management office, and is assigned to Co. C, DSTB, 4th Inf. Div. He also noted that many Soldiers here have deployed several times, which would lend credibility to the feedback they give to the congressmen.
The service members and civilians in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves and were very grateful to have met their congressmen.
"They are more down to earth, but they definitely have a job to do," said Buss.
"It shows me that they are actually concerned about what we're doing out here. It's one thing to lead from behind, but it's another thing to lead when you go into the battle and see what's going on; it gives you a different perspective," Merritt added.
In all, the engagement was a success and the unanimous fervor was that of gratitude and warm feelings towards the distinguished lady and gentlemen.
"I got to meet one of our hometown representatives, and it's just another one of the great things you get to do in the military," said Carr.
"Ultimately, it shows a lot of support when they show up here," said Messare. "It's a real vote of confidence that we have backing back in the states."
With 2008 being an election year full of rallies and campaigning, it seems from meetings like this that our troops will, by continuing to do great things, maintain the support of their leaders.
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.15.2008 03:11 |
| Story ID: | 22504 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 267 |
| Downloads: | 228 |
This work, Congressmen visit Baghdad, give Soldiers 'vote' of confidence, by SPC Douglas York, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT