CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder was in Kuwait, Tuesday, April 17, meeting with National Guard and Reserve service members deployed here.
Snyder was part of a three-member delegation that included South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard and Gov. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. Their trip was part of the Defense Department’s governors’ delegation program. Snyder spent the day meeting with service members from Michigan and other states who supported U.S. operations during the drawdown of forces from Iraq, and ongoing logistics operations in connection with Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait.
Roughly 180 Michigan Army National Guard members are serving in the region, in addition to many Reserve and active-duty Michigan residents.
The delegation had a round-table discussion with senior leaders early in their visit. Snyder took a separate tour of the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1462nd Transportation Company’s work areas and visited with individual soldiers.
The 1462nd is a medium truck company from Howell, Mich., supporting movement of resources and equipment, and conducting convoy escorts in support of units stationed in Kuwait.
Snyder held an hour-long town-hall meet and greet event with soldiers at Camp Arifjan, and talked with the assembled Guardsmen about issues concerning their state, such as jobs and education opportunities for veterans, budget priorities, public works, road improvements and urban re-development. Snyder ended his day by attending dinner with the soldiers. “It is both an honor and a privilege to spend time with all of you and let you know how proud all of us in Michigan are of your sacrifices and amazing accomplishments,” Snyder said. “We all thank you so very much, and come home safe.”