Congressman Loebsack Visits Troops Preparing To Deploy To Afghanistan

Press Release

Congressman Loebsack (D-IA) spent this Thanksgiving with troops preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, visiting with wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, and speaking with troops stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base. To bring Iowans and other Soldiers a piece of home during the holidays, Congressman Loebsack hand delivered letters from schoolchildren throughout the district. To help our servicemembers connect with their loved ones back home, Congressman Loebsack brought calling cards provided by the USO.

"I was humbled to be able to share Thanksgiving dinner with our servicemembers who are spending the holiday away from their loved ones while defending our country abroad," said Congressman Loebsack. "During my trip, I was able to meet with many servicemembers, some of whom are about to deploy to Afghanistan, some of whom are stationed in Ramstein, Germany, and others who are recovering at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Celebrating our country's values over the Thanksgiving holidays with our men and women in uniform was truly inspiring."

To help bring Iowans and other Soldiers some holiday cheer, Congressman Loebsack asked school children from throughout the district to write letters to the troops. The letters came from Horace Mann Elementary in Ottumwa, West Middle School in Muscatine, Penn Elementary in North Liberty, Taylor Elementary and Polk Elementary in Cedar Rapids.

"I was honored to hand deliver letters written from children throughout the district," added Congressman Loebsack. "The gratitude towards our troops in these letters was touching and I would like to thank each and every child who spent time writing to our brave Soldiers."

Additionally, Congressman Loebsack met with the leaders of the United States European Command, and some of our NATO partners and leadership. EUCOM is charged with fostering our security relationship with NATO, and the EUCOM Commander is also the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Loebsack regularly meets with military leaders, as well as our troops.

The trip also focused heavily on the families of troops who are deploying to Afghanistan. Congressman Loebsack was able to meet with several family members of those who are deploying, and discuss family support programs.

"It was an invaluable experience to meet with the families of the troops who are deploying to Afghanistan and discuss the family support programs in place for them," said Congressman Loebsack. "It was extremely important to me to discuss this issue, as I strongly believe that families deploy alongside our servicemembers and deserve all of the support we can provide them before, during, and after a deployment."

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