Free Republic

Talks have been bubbling in recent months about making major route changes to Interstate 14, but the primary organization behind the push says it’s facing resistance from a West Texas representative and the state’s senior senator. Regional transportation lobby group Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance (MOTRAN) has pushed to change the congressionally approved western route of I-14, also known as the Forts to Ports Highway and the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway System. Forts to Ports aims to connect Fort Bliss in El Paso with Fort Hood in Central Texas and Fort Polk in Louisiana. The plan also connects to military deployment ports...

Two Republican congressmen and a military chaplains’ organization are crying foul after the U.S. Army confirmed that an Army chaplain officiated a same-sex wedding ceremony for two female soldiers last month in the base chapel at Fort Polk, La. “The liberal social experiment with our military continues. A same-sex marriage-like ceremony should not have occurred at Fort Polk, especially since the people of Louisiana have made it abundantly clear that our state does not recognize same-sex marriages or civil unions,” Louisiana Republican Rep. John Fleming said on Wednesday. “My frustration is compounded by the fact that a social agenda, which...

The U.S. Army said Friday it will immediately repair barracks at eight facilities in the wake of inspection at bases worldwide. The inspections were done the last week of April and covered nearly 150,000 barracks rooms. They found that 45 repairs needed priority attention, including new heating and cooling equipment, repainting, mold removal and other work. Army Secretary Pete Geren has said that $248 million in emergency funds has been appropriated to fix problems found during the inspections. The Army on Friday identified eight installations that will get priority attention: Fort Polk, La.; Fort Gordon, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort...

FORT POLK, La. (Army News Service, Sept. 16, 2005) -- Not since the end of the Civil War have U.S. Soldiers returned home from war to such devastation and massive rebuilding. After a one-year combat tour in Iraq, Soldiers from the 256th Brigade Combat Team, Louisiana Army National Guard, started arriving at the England Industrial Airpark in Alexandria Sept. 9. Among the first wave of returning Soldiers was Staff Sgt. Scott Andras, assigned to the 141st Field Artillery. Andras and his wife of 18 months Heather, own a home in New Orleans. “We live two blocks off of St. Charles...

The Army's Most Hated Unit ABCNews.com July 6, 2004 They've been called the most-hated unit in the Army - the 1st Battalion of the 509th Infantry - known as the Geronimoes. The Geronimoes are tasked with playing the "enemy" at the Army's Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., putting visiting infantry and special operations troops through their paces. Recently, that has meant playing Iraqi insurgents and terrorists - an enemy whose rocket attacks and suicide bombings are killing U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians almost daily. To play the part, the men of the 509th were allowed to grow...

WASHINGTON - About 21,000 American soldiers in Iraq (news - web sites) who were to return this month to their home bases in Louisiana and Germany will have their tours extended at least three months to help combat the surge in anti-occupation violence, defense officials said Wednesday. The decision, which has not been announced publicly, breaks the Army's promise to soldiers and their families that assignments in Iraq would be limited to 12 months. The affected soldiers already have been in Iraq for a year. In addition, about 1,000 soldiers in transportation units based in Kuwait will be extended beyond...

"Over the last 29 months, many terrorists have learned the meaning of justice," President Bush said today in his weekly radio address on progress being made in the war on terror. "The terrorists are on the run, with good reason to fear what the night might bring," he said, pointing out that nearly two-thirds of al Qaeda's known leaders have been captured or killed. The president spoke proudly about his visit Feb. 17 with soldiers and family members at Fort Polk, La., where some 10,000 troops have trained and deployed in the war on terrorism. He also turned his comments...

(Talon News) -- If President Bush were feeling the least bit threatened by the controversy surrounding his military service record it didn't show Tuesday as he stood before thousands of National Guardsmen and their families at Fort Polk, Louisiana. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told a skeptical reporter that the visit had been planned in advance of Democrat attacks on the president's military history. Fort Polk is home to members of the Second Calvary now deployed in Iraq. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the post has trained and deployed more than 10,000 troops to fight the...

This White House is known for going to great lengths to create meticulously crafted, visually resonant backdrops for the president when he's traveling -- backdrops that telegraph the message of the day even if you're not paying attention to the words.For instance, when Bush went to a window and door factory in Tampa on Monday, Mike Allen noted in The Washington Post that the White House actually brought its own windows. "Strengthening America's Economy" was emblazoned on two fake windows that revealed an inviting blue sky. (See this AP photo.)A couple weeks ago, on Bush's trip to Charleston, S.C., Allen...

Tim Enright has shed his corporate attire for Army fatigues. Earlier this year, the sales executive with QuickHire, a division of Monster Government Solutions, was called up for a tour of duty with the United States Army, which begins in Kuwait and wraps up in Iraq. His hiatus from private sector responsibilities began by spending most of January training in Ft. Hood, Texas. He’s currently completing additional training in Ft. Polk, Louisiana, and expects to ship out to the Middle East at any moment. As a lucky charm and companion, Enright is taking Trumpasaurus along with him and promises to...

<p>NEW ORLEANS — Seven foreign nationals, including five Iraqis, were arrested at a Louisiana Army base after officials found they had criminal convictions including child molestation, authorities said Tuesday. The individuals were employees of a government contractor hired by an Army center at Fort Polk, according to a statement from the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.</p>

WASHINGTON - President Bush swooped into a National Guard base yesterday to deliver a chest-thumping defense of the Iraq war and his stewardship of the fight against terror. "My resolve is the same as it was on the day when I walked in the rubble of the twin towers," he told National Guard members and their families in Louisiana, sounding a message he's banking will get him reelected. "I will not relent until this threat to America is removed - and neither will you," he said to wild whoops from a sea of green uniforms. Bush, whose own Guard service...

<p>Soldier: ''He has kept to his message on war and terror''</p> <p>FORT POLK - Greeted Tuesday with cheers at this Army base that has deployed more than 10,000 troops to Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11, President George W. Bush declared, "With people like you, there is no doubt the enemy will be defeated and freedom will prevail."</p>

FORT POLK, La. — Snapping a sharp salute before cheering soldiers, President Bush put his credentials as wartime commander in chief on display Tuesday against suggestions he ducked his military duty as a child of privilege during the Vietnam War. Cheers of "USA, USA" and enthusiastic applause greeted Bush as he took an outdoor stage at this military base that has trained and deployed more than 10,000 troops to Iraq and Afghanistan since America was struck by terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. "My resolve is the same as it was on the day when I walked in the rubble...

President Bush credited soldiers and their families at Fort Polk, La., today with "serving with skill and bravery in the war on terror" and leaving "no doubt that the enemy will be defeated and freedom will prevail." The commander in chief thanked troops at this northwest Louisiana post that has trained and deployed more than 10,000 troops in the war on terror. Among those deployed are more than 3,400 members of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and about 800 troops from the Warrior Brigade, made up of the 46th Engineer Battalion, the 83rd Chemical Battalion, the 115th Field Hospital and...

President Bush headed to Fort Polk, Louisiana today to spend some time with our some of America's finest soldiers. The President spoke of the continued war on terror, and how America will not back down when faced with terrorism. Bush also spent the morning in Tampa, Florida where he participated in a meeting with small business owners. Meanwhile, First Lady Laura was at Bentonville High School, in Bentonville, Arkansas today to promote teaching. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya!

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush rallied and broke bread Tuesday in Louisiana with troops heading to Iraq, praising their sacrifice and vowing a relentless pursuit of terrorists until the threat to the country was eliminated. "The American people appreciate this sacrifice, and our government owes you more than gratitude," he said to cheering soldiers at Fort Polk. "We do not take freedom for granted in America," he continued. "And we do not take for granted the courage of those who face danger and do the fighting." Fort Polk is home to the Army's Joint Readiness Training...

Bush Visiting Louisiana Army Base After Controversy Over His Military Record By Scott Lindlaw Associated Press WriterPublished: Feb 17, 2004 FORT POLK, La. (AP) - Feb 17, 2004 Bush was giving a speech to thank troops - full-time soldiers and National Guard members - for their service and sacrifice, White House aides said. Twelve soldiers assigned to Fort Polk. La., have died in Iraq, including two soldiers killed by a roadside bomb while on mounted patrol last week, according to Paula Schlag, a base spokeswoman. Bush was to meet privately with the relatives of fallen soldiers, then have lunch with...

FORT POLK, La. (AP) -- Snapping a sharp salute before cheering soldiers, President Bush put his credentials as wartime commander in chief on display Tuesday against suggestions he ducked his military duty as a child of privilege during the Vietnam War. Cheers of "USA, USA" and enthusiastic applause greeted Bush as he took an outdoor stage at this military base that has trained and deployed more than 10,000 troops to Iraq and Afghanistan since America was struck by terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. "My resolve is the same as it was on the day when I walked in the...

Bush Meets With Troops in Aftermath of Controversy Over His Military RecordBy Terence Hunt The Associated Press Published: Feb 17, 2004 FORT POLK, La. (AP) - Snapping a sharp salute before cheering soldiers, President Bush put his credentials as wartime commander in chief on display Tuesday against suggestions he ducked his military duty as a child of privilege during the Vietnam War. Cheers of "USA, USA" and enthusiastic applause greeted Bush as he took an outdoor stage at this military base that has trained and deployed more than 10,000 troops to Iraq and Afghanistan since America was struck by terrorist...