Photo By Sgt. Joe Padula | President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden smile at the crowd of 2,200...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, KY – The 44th United States’ President, Barack Obama and the US’ 47th Vice President, Joe Biden, touched down onto Fort Campbell’s airstrip, exited Air Force One and visited the Screaming Eagle soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), May 6. Their visit came a few days after the President’s on the killing of Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden. Obama thanked the Fort Campbell soldiers for their efforts and sacrifices made in the War on Terror.
“I came here for a simple reason, to say thank you on behalf of America,” said Obama. “This has been a historic week in the life of our nation. Thanks to the incredible skill, courage of countless individuals -- intelligence, military -- over many years, the terrorist leader that struck our nation on 9/11 will never threaten America again.”
The President went on to talk about the accomplishments made in the war directly resulting from the actions of the 101st.
“You have been on the frontlines of this fight nor nearly 10 years,” said Obama. “You were there in those early days, driving the Taliban from power, pushing al Qaida out of its safe havens. Over time, as the insurgency grew, you went back for, in some cases, a second time, a third time, a fourth … So here’s what each of you must know. Because of your service, because of your sacrifices, we’re making progress in Afghanistan. In some of the toughest parts of the country, Gen. Campbell and the 101st are taking insurgents and their leaders off the battlefield and helping Afghans reclaim their communities.”
Obama then talked about the killing of Bin Laden and how the fight continues in the next phase of the war.
“We have cut off their head and we will ultimately them…this continues to be a very tough fight,” said Obama. “But because of this progress, we’re moving into a new phase. In the coming months, we’ll start transferring responsibility for security to Afghan forces… We’ll build a long-term partnership with the Afghan people, so that al Qaeda can never again threaten America from that country.”
His speech to the audience of 2,200 was short and straightforward. The sea of green was made up of soldiers wearing “Old Abe” patches and media affiliates. Strike soldiers with the 101st’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team enjoyed hearing what their Commander-in-Chief had to say.
“For him to talk about how well the U.S. Army did and for him to come down here just to thank us really meant a lot to me,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Fountain, a maintenance supervisor with Strike’s 526th Brigade Support Battalion. “Out of everything he said, his ‘thank you’ was the part that hit me best, even from all the way in the nose bleed seats I was in.”
Other Strike soldiers mentioned how seeing Obama in person was motivational and more units across the Army should have the opportunity.
“Seeing President Obama was a great opportunity and it gives me that Stars and Stripes kind of feeling,” said Staff Sgt. John Wilkinson, a special electronic devices repairer also with the 526th. “He should absolutely go and see the other Army units redeploying back to the states because it is just a great thing to see your Commander-in-Chief.”
The Strike Brigade is just coming back from their deployment to southern Afghanistan and the most of their Soldiers have already signed out on leave, but the ones who met with President Obama said it was worth spending their off time in a full, hot hangar to be a part of the occasion.
“This is the first time I’ve met the President, and I’m excited to be here,” said Spc. Anthony Eashman, a human intelligence collector with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT. “He made the effort to be here at Fort Campbell so I’m going to make the effort to be here at Fort Campbell. I liked the whole speech and his whole appreciation for our hard work. I salute you Mr. President.”
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2011 19:18 |
| Story ID: | 70349 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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