Jeff Flake: “that was an extraordinary meeting, to see, as we were able to do, to talk with the clerics who were repressed so much…”

“that was an extraordinary meeting, to see, as we were able to do, to talk with the clerics who were repressed so much over the past couple of years. The gentleman had a previous slide there when we were in the C-130 with the troops, and it reminded me of perhaps the most special time in Iraq was being able to meet with the troops at Tallil Air Base. We were able to go to the mess hall, and I was looking for any Arizonans who might be present. It turned out there were a number of them. In fact, I ran into a cousin of mine from my hometown that I did not know was there, and another one from my hometown, and pretty soon there were a dozen or so. The 222nd National Guard unit out of Flagstaff was there and doing a great job. They had been there about 11 months and obviously were anxious to get home and see their families. But what struck me was how they felt that they were there for a cause, and that morale was high, despite what some will tell us. It was a very difficult post for them to be in, obviously, very difficult and dangerous circumstances. But they were proud to do it, and they were proud to serve and anxious to see their families and be reunited once again. There were a lot of highlights on the trip and that was certainly one, to meet with the troops. And then we went to Baghdad and were able to meet with other troops from Arizona as well. Arizona is well represented in Iraq, and they are doing a great job; and I was just proud to be associated with them.”