Culver Makes Trip To IraqFebruary 26, 2010
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa Gov. Chet Culver is in Iraq on Friday meeting and talking with Iowa troops.
“I'm very very excited to be here and we've had some great meetings today with high ranking officials on the ground and Iowa guardsmen and women, and some Iowa reservists as well. We are here to support our troops and I came to Iraq to thank men and women from Iowa who are serving, serving our state and our country proudly,” said Culver.
Culver said he was not able to disclose exactly where in Iraq he was due to security reasons.
The trip was planned and paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense. Culver is traveling with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley. The Defense Department periodically takes groups of governors to visit troops in Iraq.
“It has been a wonderful day here on Iraq. I'm humbled to be here with these terrific Iowa soldiers and I'm going to meet as many of them as I possibly can during my stay here,” said Culver.
He said Iowa national guard troops are very proud of what they're doing. Culver said he's also there to remind Iowans about the sacrifices that the families are making.
“We've seen a lot of real progress here. There will be elections on March 7 so there is a lot of preparation going on related to those free and open elections. I've seen a lot of progress in terms of infrastructure being rebuilt. We're very fortunate that the security is very good right now and we've made a lot of progress in terms of making this a safer place for not only our troops but for the citizens of Iraq,” said Culver.
Culver said he talked with the troops about the Hawkeye and Cyclone football seasons as well their mission.
“The morale is exceptionally high because the troops feel so good about the progress they've made here. Obviously they miss their loved ones back home so we've talked about some of those issues and challenges in terms of that separation,” said Culver. “Most importantly I wanted to convey directly to these soldiers how proud I am of their efforts and their service.”
Culver said the troops feel good about the mission and progress being made. He said the soldiers are focused and committed to their mission.
Culver said that he and the Iowa legislature need to do all they can to support Iowa troops, including an income tax cut, help with housing and healthcare issues. Culver said he's introduced four bills this session that support Iowa troops.
“I think that Iowans across the state will support the fact that the commander and chief of the Iowa National Guard is here on the ground in Iraq supporting our men and women who proudly wear the uniform. It has been a humbling experience. It's a real honor to be here and I'm going to try to see as many Iowa soldiers as I can to thank them for their service," said Culver.
"I'm here of out respect for those Iowa guardsmen and women who have died and who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately we've lost 18 Iowans in these two wars and more than 200 Iowans have been injured and received the Purple Heart. I think it's important that we keep those individuals in our thoughts and prayers and those families that have been impacted by these two wars as well."
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