[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E477-E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the honorable service of 
the men and women of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States 
Army, who are again answering this nation's call to duty. They have 
already been deployed to the Persian Gulf in preparation for whatever 
conflict may lie ahead.
  While international debate continues over the appropriate course of 
action, Mr. Speaker, it is easy for us to forget about the men and 
women who are already on the front line, preparing for the unknown, 
ready to accept the orders that are handed down.
  There are almost 20,000 men and women stationed at Fort Campbell, 
which sits on the border between Tennessee and Kentucky. Fort Campbell 
is home to the 101st Airborne Division ``Screaming Eagles,'' under the 
command of Maj. Gen. David Petraeus. The 101st Airborne Division has a 
long history of outstanding military service, playing key roles in 
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm.
  From an Apache fighter-helicopter, the ``Screaming Eagles'' fired the 
very first shots in the Gulf War, taking out Iraqi communications and 
paving the way for the ground attack. In the ground war, the 101st made 
the longest and largest air assault in world history into enemy 
territory. About 4,500 ``Rakkasans'' from the division's 3rd Brigade 
also spent six months in Afghanistan, fighting in Operation Anaconda, 
one of the toughest fronts in this nation's war on terrorism.
  Now, the men and women of the 101st are again answering the call to 
duty. The ``Screaming Eagles'' have left behind their families and 
their homes to set up camp in the desert. These brave soldiers know 
that their country may need them, and they are ready to serve.

[[Page E478]]

  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in applauding the dedication and 
duty demonstrated by the courageous men and women of the 101st Airborne 
Division of the United States Army. Their love for our country, the 
safety of its people and the protection of its liberties, is what makes 
this nation free and great.

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