Photo By Tech. Sgt. Richard Lisum | Gov. Rick Perry of Texas shakes hands with Col. Sal Nodjomian, 332nd Expeditionary...... read more read more
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By Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – More than 7,400 miles from Austin, Texas, Gov. Rick Perry traveled this week to see and talk with service members deployed here from his state.
He and Gov. Christine Gregoire of Washington arrived on a Department of Defense-sponsored tour and received a mission briefing from the command personnel of the different units operating here.
Afterward, they went to separate locations to meet with their constituents.
Perry, an Air Force veteran himself, addressed the group of Texas service members wearing blue jeans and a green nylon coat with Texas flag patches.
"It's good to see this country move in the direction we wanted to see," he said. "We want to get this country to move forward and install a democratic government."
"When you all get home, I want you to know that we have the state in great shape," the governor added, talking about the state's growing industry and economy.
Perry opened the floor for questions from the Lone Star state. He discussed a variety of subjects, including benefits available to Texas veterans and possible improvements to Texas National Guard resources. Perry also declared he had the best job in the world as the governor of Texas because of the great things Texan service members were doing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I wasn't expecting the governor -- it was awesome," said Master Sgt. Robert Bass, a 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and construction equipment operator deployed here from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The Schertz, Texas, native added, "I really appreciate him saying he was going to be taking care of the military."
Before leaving, Perry had one last thing to say to deployed men and women of Texas.
"I'm really proud of you," he said. "Having served this country as a veteran, I want to say thank you."
| Date Taken: | 01.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.07.2009 23:08 |
| Story ID: | 28575 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 170 |
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