Joe Wilson: “This last weekend I was grateful to visit our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I saw firsthand the growing success in…”

“This last weekend I was grateful to visit our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I saw firsthand the growing success in Baghdad during a visit with Major General Joseph Fil, commander of forces in Baghdad, to a neighborhood joint security site. We saw shops open, normal traffic, and civilians unafraid. This evidence of success was repeated in a visit to Ramadi, where enthusiastic American and Iraqi troops have deposed the al Qaeda terrorists. In Kabul, I was briefed on training of Afghan police by the 218th Brigade of the South Carolina Army National Guard led by General Bob Livingston. As a 28-year veteran of the 218th, I know the competence and resolve of our troops. Additionally, in Jalalabad, American and Afghani provincial reconstruction teams are promoting security, governance, and economic development. With eight visits to Iraq and four to Afghanistan, I am more convinced than ever that to protect the American families we must stop the terrorists overseas. Our dedicated troops deserve our support of this vital mission. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.”