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VP visits troops at Balad AB, LSA Anaconda

  • Published
  • By by Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --  Vice President Dick Cheney visited Balad Air Base and Logistics Support Area Anaconda to speak with servicemembers stationed here March 18.

Before addressing the base populace during a rally, the vice president sat down to breakfast with a select group of military members.

"It was an honor to be able to represent my service, the Navy, during breakfast with Vice President Cheney," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Powell, leading petty officer for customs at Balad. "It was good to see he is a real person and genuinely cares for us and what we do."

During a joint servicemember's rally at Holt Stadium the vice president spoke to troops about his appreciation for what they do and how they are making a difference.

"I want you to know that we appreciate you and your comrades; we never take you for granted," Vice President Cheney said. "We are inspired by the tremendous work that all of you have done on this deployment and I bring greetings from home and good wishes to all of you on behalf of the President of the United States George W. Bush. On the president's behalf, I want to thank all of you for being part of an extraordinary American team here in Iraq."

The vice president also discussed the importance of the Balad and Anaconda missions.

"This is one of the biggest bases in the country and the work that goes on at Balad and Camp Anaconda, around the clock, seven days a week, is absolutely critical to the mission America has undertaken here. Balad [itself] is one of the busiest airports anywhere and it is the main staging area for the massive logistical operations that we need in this theater," he said.

The words of praise were well received by the group of mixed servicemembers, including Senior Master Sgt. Richard Garcia, who as the 332nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight superintendent, knows first-hand about the busy operations tempo on Balad's flightline.

"I think it's always inspiring for leadership to meet with the people who are actually executing policy and to let them know that their leadership is right there with us," said Sergeant Garcia. "We believe in the cause and what it stands for, we all have a mission and together we can make a difference. We all come together each day and provide front line troops with the equipment necessary to promote the nations policies and beliefs."

The vice president's speech contained words of praise for the execution of duty military members accomplish while deployed.

"From the very beginning, we have had high expectations of the men and women serving here," he said. "We've given you a lot of work to do, and often times a very small amount of time in which to do it, you more than met our expectations.

"Each one of you has accepted serious duties in a challenging part of the world and the job you do here has a direct impact on the security of the United States," he said. "The work we are doing right now provides the best chance for the security for our friends, allies and partners and for the people of the Middle East region."

Not only were the actions of the military members lauded, but their friends and families were as well.

"Service above self is the military way of life and that goes, of course, for everybody back home who has a loved one in the armed forces," he said. "Especially in wartime, our military families understand full well what it means to make sacrifices for the good of the country."

Vice President Cheney's visit coincided with the 5th anniversary of the week the U.S. led a coalition to liberate Iraq from the regime of Saddam Hussein.

"Tyranny in Iraq was worth defeating and democracy in Iraq is worth defending," he said. "All Americans can be certain, we intend to complete the missions so that another generation of Americans doesn't have to come back here and do it again.

"You, as veterans of this fight, will always be honored and respected for what you have done to defend your country," he told the crowd. "When you look back on this deployment, you'll be able to say that [while you were] here, you did some of the hardest work of your life, some of the most important work of your life, some of the best work of your life and you did it all for your country."

At the end of his speech, the vice president awarded two Bronze Star Medals for valor to Army Soldiers for their heroic acts.

"I can't describe the feeling I had when he awarded me the Bronze Star," said Spc. Veronica Alfaro, 2nd Platoon senior medic, Bravo Company. "It is definitely a moment I will always remember and cherish; I will never forget it."

This visit also served as a way to inspire the deployed servicemembers.

"I think it is crucial for leadership, from the president all the way down to the first sergeant, to get out and meet with the troops, especially when, someone at this level, comes to a combat zone to talk to them," said Army 1st Sgt. Michael Mendoza, 244th Aviation Brigade Forward acting command sergeant major and first sergeant. "One of the basics of being a leader is to get out there with the troops and talk to them. Having the opportunity to hear from a leader, especially at this level, is a great honor."