Posted on 09/30/2003 3:38:14 PM PDT by Ex-Dem
Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee visited Iraq and the troops supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from Sept. 23 to Sept. 28.
"However important you may think this [Operation Iraqi Freedom] is, it's more important than that," Brownlee told the Soldiers. "We appreciate your service and the sacrifice your families are making."
Brownlee’s visit began with an office call to the Coalition Joint Task Force Seven commander, Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez. Brownlee received an operations overview, and discussed readiness and equipment, and quality of life issues with CJTF-7 senior staff.
Throughout his meeting with division commanders, Brownlee wanted to ensure that they had the adequate number of troops to accomplish their requirements. Since the coalition overwhelmingly took Baghdad in 21 days, various news reports indicated that coalition forces were spread too thin. Not one commander asked for more troops.
"The commanders who I talked to said that they had enough Soldiers to accomplish their current requirements," said Brownlee.
Soldiers had plenty of time to interact with the acting secretary as he had three lunches, three sensing sessions and two dinners with them. Troops routinely spoke of high morale and a desire to complete their missions. Various questions were answered and issues discussed, which included the length of the deployment, particularly for the reserve-component troops.
"We agreed to up to 12 months, boots-on-the-ground and 'up to' means what it says," said Brownlee. "Those that are not needed or required will be redeployed. The theater commanders will determine the requirements."
As Brownlee addressed soldiers, he routinely recounted the
moving story of Sgt. Robert Armstrong of the 4th Infantry Division. Brownlee told the soldiers that during his bi-monthly visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he visited Armstrong, who had lost his left eye and left leg during combat operations. The nurse attending to Armstrong indicated that the young non-commissioned officer had "flat-lined" twice enroute to the hospital and doctors believed he had suffered brain damage. Further, she informed that Sgt. Armstrong would not be able to understand the acting Secretary. Yet, Brownlee insisted on visiting with him.
I felt that he understood me because his right eye focused intently on me and he squeezed my hand as I told him how appreciative we all were for his service, said Brownlee. As I turned to leave, the nurse removed the infection-preventing paper smock from my chest and I looked back giving a modified salute-wave. Sgt. Armstrong crisply returned my salute. The nurse was shocked. As I returned to his bedside, I told him that I would check on him every day, to get better and that we loved him.
Three weeks later, Brownlee returned to see this wounded hero, sitting
upright in his wheelchair, conversing and enjoying his family's company. Brownlee had the honor of presenting him the Purple Heart and as an added surprise, a few NFL legends - Joe Namath, Gene Upshaw and Deacon Jones - happened to be visiting. They joined in the ceremony as well.
"Sgt. Armstrong may have lost his left leg and his left eye but he never lost his courage or his spirit," said Brownlee whenever he addressed the soldiers.
At all of his stops, commanders and soldiers were concerned over the news reports many of their families were receiving back home. Routinely, they remarked that progress was being made, schools were being re-built, power and electricity continued to be restored, but the American people were not being made adequately aware of their success stories since many of the imbedded reporters had left the units.
"The soldiers over here have done a terrific job in providing a secure
environment so that schools are open for the Iraqi children, hospitals and clinics are providing care, businesses are emerging, there is a free press, the Iraqi police are beginning to guard their own streets and local governments are assuming their responsibilities," said Brownlee. The Iraqi people are beginning to enjoy many of the freedoms that Americans sometimes take for granted but I know hold so very dear."
During Brownlee's stop at Task Force Ironhorse, 4th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno reported on humanitarian efforts his soldiers were making. Iraqi leaders throughout the Ironhorse area of operations had their first election, soldiers were training the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and local citizens were providing critical human intelligence to defuse attacks against Americans.
An Iraqi Civil Defense Corps platoon leader said on his graduation day: "We are the future generation that dreamed of visiting the USA or Europe because they are great countries with wide streets, huge hotels, fancy restaurants, and other reasons. We should let Americans and Europeans wish to visit the new Iraq with their families - the free Iraq. I want to thank all you officers, sergeants and trainers. You light up our way and put our foot onto the right direction. I swear to you I will not disappoint you and will work very hard. God is my witness."
Brownlee said he was very impressed with soldiers’ versatility transitioning from warrior to humanitarian in support of the Iraqi people.
On his return from Iraq to Kuwait, Brownlee diverted his aircraft and
changed his itinerary to make a special visit with soldiers from the 53rd Infantry Brigade, Florida National Guard. Some of the soldiers, deployed as separate infantry battalions, had been in theater since August 2002. Brownlee listened as the guardsmen discussed the struggles with their small businesses, family issues and how the deployment was affecting their civilian careers. He told them that he would follow up by monitoring closely as the theater commanders evaluated their troop strength.
"You are a vital part of our total Army force," said Brownlee. "I am very grateful for the sacrifices made by our reserve component, your family's sacrifices and your employers’ dedication."
(Maj. Carl S. Ey serves with the Coalition Forces Land Component Command Forward.)
Soldiers had plenty of time to interact with the acting secretary as he had three lunches, three sensing sessions and two dinners with them. Troops routinely spoke of high morale and a desire to complete their missions.
Bring kleenex for the rest of the story.
Our troops rock!
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Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee has a serious chat with soldiers at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
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