By Pfc. Evan Loyd
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, had four members of the U.S. House of Representatives visit the headquarters of the Iron Brigade at Camp Striker, Iraq, Dec. 17.
Congressmen Mike Conaway, who represents the 11th District of Texas, Gene Taylor who represents the 4th District of Mississippi, Rob Wittman who represents the 1st District of Virginia and Joe Courtney who represents the 2nd District of Connecticut met with their constituents and toured the battle area.
The first stop on their tour was at the brigade headquarters on Camp Striker. There, they were greeted by Col. Pat White, from Apple Valley, Calif., the commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, who briefed them on the Iron Brigade's activities throughout the Mada'in and Mahmudiyah Qadas since arriving in April 2008.
After the brief, the congressmen met with Soldiers to discuss any issues they had and to have photographs taken with their constituents.
"It was really amazing meeting Congressman Mike Conaway," said Sgt. Tess Krause, from Crosby, Texas, a supply sergeant of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company. "I didn't expect to meet a congressman when I deployed to Iraq."
The representatives were then flown to Combat Outpost Carver where they had a brief of the Salman Pak area by Lt. Col. Michael Shrout, a native of Renton, Wash., and the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment.
The congressmen then toured Salman Pak to include the 1,600-year-old Ctesiphon Arch and a local market. Before returning to the COP, they talked with Abu Bahar, the mayor of Salman Pak
Arriving at COP Carver in time for dinner, the members of the House were once again able to sit down and talk with Soldiers about their lives here in Iraq.
"It has been great coming and visiting the Soldiers here in Iraq," said Congressman Joe Courtney representing the 2nd District of Connecticut.
Coming to Iraq and visiting with the Iron Brigade gave these members of the House of Representatives the chance, however briefly, to become familiar with some of the same experiences and sights the people they represent have every day as they serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
| Date Taken: |
12.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: |
12.21.2008 06:45 |
| Story ID: |
27960 |
| Location: |
BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: |
296 |
| Downloads: |
263 |
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