Posted on 01/10/2007 11:44:08 AM PST by AmericanMade1776
Sgt. John Sandberg learned of President's Bush's visit to nearby Fort Benning through a news broadcast, and even though he's unlikely to meet his commander in chief personally, he believes the visit will lift the spirits of the 33,000 soldiers stationed there.
Bush's visit was planned for Thursday, a day after the president was expected to announce that he'd send another 20,000 troops to Iraq to curb sectarian violence and give the Iraqi government more time to get established. The surge is opposed by Democrats who now control Congress.
Soldiers visiting shops along Victory Drive, a strip that caters to the military, seemed oblivious to the Washington politics as they dined in fast-food restaurants and shopped for military equipment.
"It'll be a great morale booster," said Sandberg, 31, of Marshville, N.C., as he sat in a barbershop Wednesday getting a close-cropped haircut.
(Excerpt) Read more at ledger-enquirer.com ...
Retired Maj. Gen. Kenneth Leuer, a former Fort Benning commander, said a presidential visit is a highlight for the soldiers stationed at Fort Benning.
"I think that speaks highly of what Fort Benning means to the national defense," he said. "It is a great feather in the cap for Fort Benning and Columbus."
Another former post commander, retired Lt. Gen. Sam Wetzel, said the troops will be very excited about the visit.
"They'll be very pleased, because they're fighting the war he directed," he said. "It shows the troops that he supports them 100 percent. It's going to be a great day for Fort Benning."
The Fort Benning-based 3rd Brigade Combat Team is scheduled to deploy to Iraq this spring. It will be the outfit's third deployment to the war zone.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/local/16414947.htm
Units Present at Fort Benning
Unit, Command
US Army Infantry Center, TRADOC
29th Infantry Regiment, TRADOC
Henry Caro Noncommissioned Officer Academy, TRADOC
Ranger Training Brigade, TRADOC
4th Ranger Training Battalion, TRADOC
Infantry Training Brigade, TRADOC
Basic Combat Training Brigade, TRADOC
U.S. Army Garrison, Installation Management Agency (IMA)
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
D Troop, 10th Cavarly, 3rd Brigade Combat Team
1-15 Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team
2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team
317 Engineer, 3rd Brigade Combat Team
1-10 Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team
14th Field Combat Support Hospital, 44th MEDCOM
283d Army Band
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, TRADOC
75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Martin Army Community Hospital, AMEDD
DENTAC, USA DENTAC
US.Army Marksmanship Unit, USAAC
17th Air Support Operations Squadron, USAF
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/local/16414947.htm
God bless all our troops and ongoing gratitude to them. I enjoyed my time at Fort Benning.
God Bless you and your service to this Country!
I think there are nearyly 33,000 troops at Fort Benning.
"enjoyed"
Not usually associated with Ft. Benning. ;)
HERE is a good one to read guys!
I went through NCO School there. It was hard work and demanding but some of us enjoyed going to Civil War sites, Warm Springs, Atlanta, etc. Wherever I was stationed whether it be Viet Nam or West Point, I made the most of the situation. I did not like Fort Polk, LA at all.
Thanks, sleuthie. I need a good one just now.
Thank you very much. You made my day.
Did you go to West Point after becoming an NCO or were you stationed there as cadre?
Fort Benning is intertwined into the Columbus, Georgia community, and surrounding area.
Right. During NCO School, Lt Calley of Mai Lai was on trial and we all supported him. He later opened or worked at a jewlery store in Columbus.
Thanks for the FReep mail. The Andersonville site is worth a must for anyone in the Benning area. I liked those ancient mounds south of Benning too. Forgot the name of them. I found Plains good for a short stop.
Lt.Calley married the daughter of the Jewelry store, that is how he got the Job. I am not sure, if they are divorced or not now.
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