Tennessee governor meets, greets Third Army troops

13th Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Staff Sgt. Regina Machine

Date: 08.02.2011
Posted: 08.06.2011 04:40
News ID: 74946
Tennessee governor meets, greets Third Army troops

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Tenn. Gov. Bill Haslam visited service members from the 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, 241st Engineering Installation Squadron, Tennessee Air Guard, and Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 2.

“It was overwhelming to hear he was coming here to check on his soldiers. It is just outstanding,” said Sgt. Wanda Chism, food service specialist, 230th Sustainment Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, and a Brownsville, Tenn., native.

Haslam’s visit proved to Chism someone really does care that she is on a deployment.

“To meet him over here is great. A lot of people didn’t know he was coming and [were] amazed when they found out he would be here,” added Chism.

“This is my first deployment, and it was a wonderful experience,” Chism noted. “It is something I can share with my grandchild. I was glad to be able to do a deployment before my retirement next year from the National Guard.”

Chism hopes that Haslam’s visit here will reassure folks back home she is safe and not letting her guard down.

“Don’t worry about us, everything is ok,” reiterated Chism.

Governor Haslam’s visit reinforces Third Army’s commitment to the well-being of its service members, whose mission is to continually ensure America’s national strength locally and abroad.