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SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (May 20, 2008) - Speaker of the House,
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader, Rep. Steny Hoyer and
Reps. Adam Putnam, Howard Berman, Jan Harman, Gary Ackerman, Alcee
Hastings and John Larson visited Sather Air Base to visit with
deployed members, May 17.
Airmen and Soldiers from around the country, from California to
Connecticut, gathered to meet the visiting representatives.
"We have a variety of opinions on the policy of war in our
group," said Ms. Pelosi. "But, we're all in total agreement about
the respect, regard and appreciation we have for each and every one
of you."
The speaker went on to tell members of Team Sather of newly
reformed veteran's benefits, particularly the 21st Century GI
Bill.
"I was impressed with the GI Bill and no troop left behind
education package," said Senior Master Sgt. Debra Kelly, 447th
Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, deployed from Lackland
Air Force Base, Texas. "It was an honor to meet her. She also said
she would call my mother in San Antonio; I was impressed with
that."
After a brief introduction from each of the member of the House,
the group mingled with members of Sather AB.
"It was great to see the representatives take time out of their
busy schedules to show support for the Airmen and Soldiers of
Sather Air Base," said Col. Fred Cheney, 447th Air Expeditionary
Group commander. "We took the opportunity to showcase our
integrated team and gave a great "Tuskegee Airmen" reception to our
distinguished visitors."
The group of representatives started their Baghdad trip with
meetings in the International Zone with Prime Minister Nouri
Al-Maliki and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, among others.
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