Schwarzenegger ‘pumps up’ deploying Guard

Schwarzenegger ‘pumps up’ deploying Guard

By Spc. Jacob A. McDonald

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger shakes hands with National Guard Soldiers of the 81st Armor Brigade (Separate) at the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Calif.
Spc. Jacob A. McDonald

FORT IRWIN, Calif. (Army News Service, March 15, 2004) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited the National Training Center and Fort Irwin March 12 to speak to Soldiers of the California National Guard deploying to Iraq.

“I’m here not just as the governor,” Schwarzenegger said. “First, I wanted to come here to talk to you and pump you up before you ship out.”

To pump them up, Schwarzenegger told the Soldiers of his service in the Austrian army as a tank driver. He also expressed his love for the military and his appreciation of American Soldiers.

“I have a great love for the military,” Schwarzenegger said. “I have been very much into the military.”

“I came over here with empty pockets but big dreams,” he said. “I was very fortunate to go way beyond my dreams. Why I was able to accomplish those things is because this is the greatest country in the world; because it is free and you help keep the country free.”

The governor also talked about his recent experiences visiting Kuwait, Iraq and Bosnia.

“There has never been a time when any country has been as powerful as the United States. That’s because you guys have been protecting it for a long time,” he said. “I can only say that I play a machine, but you guys are the true machines. You are the real terminators.”

“The sacrifices you make are appreciated by all of us, not just in California, but all over the United States,” Schwarzenegger said.

“I appreciate the type of work you are doing and the sacrifices you are making. I am proud of all of you.”

The governor spoke to Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor, a California National Guard element of Washington state’s 81st Armor Brigade (Separate). The Brigade was mobilized in November, trained at Fort Lewis, Wash., and now has undergone 30 days of intensive training at NTC in preparation for deployment.

Following his speech, the governor presented the battalion with a California State Flag and a United States Flag, both of which had been flown over the California State Capitol Building.

The Soldiers then presented Schwarzenegger with a jacket. Schwarzenegger took some time after the presentations to shake hands with the Soldiers and sign autographs.

(Editor’s note: Spc. Jacob A. McDonald is a staff writer for the Tiefort Telegraph, Fort Irwin’s weekly newspaper.)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger presents Soldiers

of the 1/185th Armor a California flag and a U.S.

flag that had flown over the state capital building.

1 posted on 03/15/2004 12:52:00 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...

“The sacrifices you make are appreciated by all of us, not just in California, but all over the United States,” Schwarzenegger said..“I am proud of all of you.”

The governor spoke to Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor, a California National Guard element of Washington state’s 81st Armor Brigade (Separate).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1st Battalion — 185th Armor Regiment

California National Guard

Bad news for the bad guys!

8 Going to fight in Iraq? Lessons from an infantry company commander

2 posted on 03/15/2004 12:53:29 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

3 posted on 03/15/2004 12:58:58 PM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl; My2Cents; FairOpinion; South40; doodlelady; Tamsey

4 posted on 03/15/2004 1:10:33 PM PST by onyx (Kerry' s a Veteran, but so were Lee Harvey Oswald, Timothy McVeigh and Benedict Arnold.)

To: msdrby; Darksheare; Wneighbor; SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; Samwise

5 posted on 03/15/2004 1:16:37 PM PST by Professional Engineer (A friendly reminder: Hydrogen Hydroxide is everywhere. WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

I'm the proud mother of an Army helicopter pilot/safety officer stationed at Ft. Irwin. My son was involved in making sure the governor's copters landed safely. He talked to one of the pilots, found out the departure time, picked up my 7 year old grandson and headed back to the helo pad in time to meet Arnold and have their picture taken with him. I got a call from Dillon that evening, saying, "Grandma, guess who I had my picture taken with." It's one of those days they'll never forget. GO ARMY!

6 posted on 03/15/2004 1:50:39 PM PST by Mother of the Bride

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

I may not agree with all of his policies, but Schwarzenegger seems to truly care for the US and its defenders.

Go Guard!

7 posted on 03/15/2004 2:17:28 PM PST by Stonewall Jackson (Eagle Scout class of 1992.)

To: Mother of the Bride

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

Please tell your son thank you for his service on the homefront.

Arnold's unwavering and vocal love and support for our troops is so refreshing.

We could use a few hundred such politicians on Capitol Hill today (and a few hundred more teaching our future journalists)!

8 posted on 03/15/2004 2:18:15 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

"Why I was able to accomplish those things is because this is the greatest country in the world; because it is free and you help keep the country free.”

Isn't it sad that half the people -born- here can't grasp that concept?

9 posted on 03/15/2004 3:44:18 PM PST by Salamander

To: Mother of the Bride

10 posted on 03/15/2004 4:31:21 PM PST by Samwise (I am going to need to be sedated before this election is over.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

The Guard belongs.

Al Querry, on the other hand, is just wrong.

11 posted on 03/15/2004 6:29:19 PM PST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

12 posted on 03/15/2004 7:48:21 PM PST by Alamo-Girl

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794