Congressional Delegation Visits Arkansas Soldiers

CAMP COOKE, IRAQ

08.18.2004

Courtesy Story

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CAMP COOKE, Taji, Iraq -- The Army National Guard's 39th Brigade Combat Team, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, received a congressional delegation visit from its home state of Arkansas this week.

Congressman Mike Ross joined his fellow U.S. representatives, Marion Berry and Vic Snyder, along with Randy Massenelli, the state director for Senator Mark Pryor's office, in a show of support for the troops.

"As a member of Congress, I just feel a duty and obligation to come over here and see our troops and let them know we're proud of them and let them know we support them," Ross said.

"I think it's important that we let them know that their service to our country is greatly appreciated and they are in our hearts and in our prayers."The initial stop at Camp Cooke provided the delegation with an opportunity to sit and have lunch with the Soldiers of the 39th.

"I was impressed with their visit in that they didn't have an agenda. They were just here for the Soldiers," said Sgt. John Wheeler, of Kingsland, Ark. "I thought that was a great thing and I'm just glad that they came."

Following lunch, the Commander of the 39th, Brig. Gen. Ron Chastain, provided a classified briefing on the brigade's operations, followed by a quick tour of some of the brigade's facilities.

After stopping to view the medical facility, operated by the 39th Support Battalion's Company C, from Lonoke, Ark., the tour continued with stops at the Support Battalion's living quarters, showers and internet café.Concluding the tour of Camp Cooke, the delegation loaded back up on a Blackhawk helicopter. Their flight, which was originally scheduled to take them to Forward Operating Base "Gunslinger," landed in the International Zone in Baghdad instead, to visit the Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry.

"We had intended for them to also visit the 3rd and 153rd," Chastain said, referring to the brigade's 3rd Battalion, which is headquartered in Searcy. "We ended up canceling that visit due to a security threat in their part of Baghdad."

Lt. Col. Kendall Penn, a Malvern resident and commander of the 1st Battalion, provided them with an operational overview of his battalion's area of operations, which led to a discussion of needs and concerns."Their concern was whether we were getting the repair parts that are needed," Chastain said. When this was answered as a non-issue, since parts were in fact coming in, a real need of the brigade was addressed.

"What we told them we needed was more funds for civil military projects," Chastain said. "We're trying to get the essential services here, like the electrical system, sewer system and water system, all up to a good standard so the people here can have a better way of life. Those are very expensive projects.

"These are also very necessary projects, since the strongest areas of conflict are linked to the neighborhoods with little electricity and other basic essential services. "Right now, people are lucky to have three hours of electricity on for every three hours that it's off, so there's a big need," Chastain said. At the briefing's conclusion, the delegation visited with the Soldiers of the 1st Battalion and sat down with them for the evening meal.

Due to the earlier inability to visit the 3rd Battalion, the opportunity arose to visit some recently admitted troops at the Corps Support Hospital nearby.

"I had two soldiers that were injured in an [improvised explosive attack] attack," said Lt. Col. Allen Hargis, commander of the 39th Support Battalion.

"The delegation was able to go to the [Corps Support Hospital] and award Purple Hearts to those Soldiers." Hargis, a resident of Hot Springs, said that it meant a lot to receive their medals from the congressional delegation.Congressman Berry presented the first award to Staff Sgt. Ervin Lewis, of Cotton Plant, Ark.

Berry pinned the award on Lewis" pillow as he lay recovering from minor shrapnel wounds. After a short visit with Lewis, each member of the delegation wished him well, as they departed to visit the next troop.

Sgt. Alandis Newman, of Dumas, Ark., found it hard to believe Congressman Snyder was there to pin him with the Purple Heart, saying he appreciated the fact that they risked their lives just coming to Iraq. He also said he was ready to get back to work."I'm ready to get back to Taji because that's home right now," said Newman.

"The longer I stay here the more afraid I am of going back, so the sooner I get back I can get that off my chest and be back where my people are at."As the delegation prepared to depart, they visited with a few other Soldiers from various states, including Staff Sgt. Andrew Hellman, from Albany, Ore.

Hellman, a 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Soldier, who deployed with the 39th, is recovering from a leg injury suffered from a previous incident.

"It's a tremendous honor to be here with General Chastain and help him present those Purple Hearts," said Snyder.

"Obviously, these guys hadn't planned on this day. No one plans on being wounded, but they're great guys and its good to spend part of this day with them to let them know how much they are appreciated."

• Date Taken: 08.18.2004
• Date Posted: 08.18.2004 15:31
• Story ID: 253
• Location: CAMP COOKE, IQ