Congressman Peters Returns From Afghanistan Today

Press Release

Congressman Gary Peters returned from Afghanistan today after taking part in a bipartisan congressional delegation trip there to meet with American troops and commanders and examine the security, economic and political situation in Afghanistan. Rep. Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve, and other Members of Congress met with top American Commander General Stanley A. McChrystal and other senior military and diplomatic officials from the U.S. and Afghanistan to discuss the current situation on the ground, and spoke directly with troops who have been on the front lines of the fight against the Taliban.

Congressman Peters also had the opportunity to meet with troops from Michigan. Congressman Peters presented the soldiers with three tokens of gratitude: baby wipes, powdered Gatorade mix and Detroit Tigers baseball hats. Baby wipes and Gatorade mix are troop favorites as they contend with a dusty, dry environment.

"Meeting with our soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, especially those from Michigan, was a tremendous experience," said Congressman Peters. "We must continue to make certain our troops in the field have all the equipment and other support they need to protect themselves and successfully carry out their mission. When they return home, they must not be forgotten. We need to ensure service members have the opportunity to reintegrate to normal civilian life and have access to the care they need."

Along with speaking directly with American troops, the delegation was briefed on economic, political and security matters by American Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, General Stanley McChrystal and other top U.S. officials; Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Zalmai Rassoul and other senior Afghan military and government officials; as well as USAID and international development agencies. Many of the delegation's briefings took place in Kabul, but the group also traveled to Kandahar to see a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in action. PRTs consist of military and civilian agencies coordinating on development projects to help stabilize regions of the war torn country.

Congressman Peters departed Sunday, flying from Detroit to Dulles Airport in Virginia where he met the rest of the congressional delegation, which then traveled together to Afghanistan via a layover in Oman. In addition to Peters, the bipartisan delegation included Representatives Glenn Nye of Virginia, Spencer Bachus of Alabama, Scott Murphy of New York and Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner.

For security purposes, Congressman Peters and his staff were not allowed to publicly announce his intentions to travel to Afghanistan or disclose any information about the trip until it had concluded.

Congressman Peters served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. His reserve duty included service in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Congressman Peters again volunteered for active Reserve duty.

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