VISIT WITH FLORIDA TROOPS SERVING IN THE MIDDLE EAST FIGHTING THE WAR ON TERROR

Last week, I participated in a Department of Defense sponsored mission,
visiting Florida troops serving in the Middle East. I arrived in Kuwait on
Friday where I toured an up armor facility and had dinner with troops from
throughout the United States stationed at Camp Virginia. Friday evening, I
traveled from Kuwait to Baghdad, Iraq. I had breakfast with troops then
traveled to Balad where I toured a hospital and enjoyed lunch with Florida
troops. I'm extremely proud of all the men and women serving our country to
protect our freedoms and democracy. The spirit and confidence among the
troops is high and the progress that's been made in Iraq is undeniable.  It
is an honor to be able to express Florida's gratitude for the service of
these great men and women.

I continued my visit in Afghanistan. There, I attended a reception with
Afghan governors in Kabul. The next morning, I had breakfast with troops at
Camp Eggers before being briefed by U.S. military officials. Following
breakfast, I visited with Florida National Guard troops and then joined the
other governors traveling on the trip, Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack, Indiana
Governor Mitch Daniels and West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, for a meeting
with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Florida proudly supports the service men
and women who have made incredible sacrifices to defend the security and
ideals of our great country. I'm honored to visit soldiers in the Middle
East as the United States continues its commitment to the Global War on
Terror.  Florida can be proud of the men and women of its National Guard for
the significant contribution they are making to the establishment of a
stable government in Afghanistan.

Pictures from the visit can be found at http://www.flgov.com/middleeast.
 

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Volume 8, Issue 16
Copyright(c) 2006 State of Florida
 
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