[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 25 (Tuesday, March 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E276-E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AIR ASSAULT) ON ITS RETURN FROM 
                        OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2004

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroes of the 
Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). This famous division 
needs little introduction. Brave members of the ``Screaming Eagle'' 
division have fought for their country in countless towns and cities in

[[Page E277]]

the 62 years of the division's service to America. In earlier wars, and 
in places such as Normandy, Eindhoven, Bastogne, and the A Shau Valley, 
thousands of brave Americans have fought while proudly wearing the 
emblem of the 101st on their left sleeve.
  Today I honor a new generation of heroes from the 101st. After almost 
a year overseas in the Persian Gulf and in Iraq, thousands of the brave 
men and women of this storied unit have returned home. Of course, 
thousands of other US troops--soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines--
have also served in Iraq or serve there today, including more than a 
thousand members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard. However, 
today I pay special tribute to the members of the fabled ``Screaming 
Eagle'' division in honor of their return to Tennessee.
  These soldiers have seen a great deal since they were last home at 
Fort Campbell. First came the excitement of a rapid deployment and 
intensive training in Kuwait. For veteran and new recruit alike, this 
was a time of mixed emotions. On one hand, I'm sure they all felt the 
excitement of being on the verge of doing what they've trained for 
years to do: fight and win our nation's wars. At the same time, the 
thought of real combat was surely a source of worry and concern. 
Throughout the division, soldiers asked themselves the same question 
that soldiers have asked for centuries: When the time comes, will I 
measure up? When my buddies need me, will I be there for them? And most 
importantly--will I make it home?
  Then came the first phase of the war in Iraq--the drive to Baghdad. 
During this phase of the war, the 101st fought in dozens of towns and 
cities. As is often the case in war, they encountered challenges they 
did not expect. But, as is also often the case in war, the fighting 
spirit and ingenuity of the American soldier overcame these challenges. 
In back alleys, across barren desert, on vital bridges, in tall 
buildings, and lowly huts, the troops of the 101st Airborne Division 
lived up to the reputation of previous generations of ``Screaming 
Eagles.'' On the road to Baghdad they added new towns--like Karbala and 
Najaf--to the already long list of places where members of the 101st 
Airborne Division have made us proud.
  Once Baghdad fell and Saddam went into hiding, the war entered a new, 
and in some ways more difficult phase--a guerilla war against remnants 
of Saddam's regime. For this phase the 101st was assigned an enormous 
and diverse section of northern Iraq, where they had the challenging 
dual mission of continuing to fight the enemy while also starting Iraq 
on the long road to democracy and economic reconstruction. Though it 
should not come as a surprise, the soldiers and leaders of the 101st 
showed that they were once again up to the challenge. The 101st 
succeeded in missions as diverse as building schools, training 
policemen, repairing utilities, and distributing new currency--all the 
while continuing to conduct combat operations against insurgents.
  The members of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) clearly 
deserve our thanks for their fine service in Iraq, but so does another 
group of patriots--the families at Fort Campbell and elsewhere that had 
to stay behind. So, while I congratulate the men and women of the 
``Screaming Eagle'' division, I want to also add my personal thanks to 
the family members and friends of the brave troops who served in Iraq.
  Mr. Speaker, I think I speak for all members of Congress when I 
congratulate the 101st Division on a job well done in Iraq, and I pray 
for the safe return of all our troops serving overseas.

                          ____________________