Political Quotes

“I humbly rise today to welcome home the heroic soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division's Task Force Rakkasan after a year's deployment in Afghanistan. Mr. Speaker, this morning we read aloud the document we are all sworn to protect and defend. None defend that document and our freedom better than those deployed in harm's way. Many of the members of the Rakkasan have been deployed five times since September 11. They are part of the most deployed unit in the history of the U.S. Army. They have my profound gratitude for that service. These brave soldiers served in and around Khost, Afghanistan. Together with their Afghan allies, they took 2,000 insurgents out of the fight and cleared the way for expanded Afghan governance. The Rakkasans arrived in a region that was controlled by the Taliban. They leave an area where children are free to go to school, play cricket, fly kites, all activities that the Taliban forbade. Tomorrow, Tennessee will welcome these heroes home. We will open our arms and embrace them and thank them for their service and their sacrifice. We will also remember those who are not returning. I hope that my colleagues in this body will take a moment today to reflect on how our service should honor the service of those who serve us so well. ____________________”