Jon Tester: “during a trip to Baghdad this past January, I had the opportunity to meet with several members of the Montana National…”

“during a trip to Baghdad this past January, I had the opportunity to meet with several members of the Montana National Guard's 163rd Combined Arms Battalion. That day, I told them that I was proud of each and every one of them, from unit commander LTC T.J. Hull and SGM John Wood, right on down the line. Through courageous service to our country, they were making tremendous sacrifices on our behalf, and they were representing the very best of Montana. This month, these folks have been coming back home to Montana from their demobilizing station in Washington State. Today, I join their families, their friends, and their neighbors in welcoming the last group of those citizen soldiers back to Montana. Job well done, soldiers. And I thank you. For nearly a year, these 600 Montanans served in some of the harshest conditions imaginable--escorting numerous convoys across dangerous terrain and conducting other critical security missions throughout Iraq. At one point over the last 12 months, this unit accounted for more than half of Montana's best and brightest serving overseas. They gave up the comforts of their families, their homes, and their communities to bring stability to a nation on the other side of the world. Through it all, they showed courage in difficult times. They remained strong. And they were always in our thoughts and prayers. Now they are home.…”