Charles Norwood: “our Nation is at war. Thousands of the fighting men and women of our Armed Forces are serving on the battlefields of…”

“our Nation is at war. Thousands of the fighting men and women of our Armed Forces are serving on the battlefields of Iraq, defending freedom, liberating the Iraqi people, and making our world a safer place to live. Today I rise to recognize and commend all of these courageous service personnel, but wish to pay particular tribute to the brave soldiers serving in the 319th Transportation Company. The 319th, part of the larger 375th Transportation Group out of Mobile, Alabama, is an Army Reserve unit based in my hometown of Augusta, Georgia. The 319th has a proud history. During the Vietnam War, the 319th Transportation Company logged over a million miles, delivered over 92,000 tons to the battlefield, and was ambushed by the enemy on seven separate occasions. Today, for the Reservists serving in the 319th, the voyage from Wrightsboro Road Reserve Center in Augusta to the war zone of Iraq began this past January with a short trip to nearby Ft. Stewart for specialized training.”