[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1675-E1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WELCOME HOME 1175TH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2004

  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to welcome back the 
1175th Transportation Company of the Tennessee National Guard. The 
soldiers, who deployed to Fort Knox, Kentucky in February 2003, had 
been in Kuwait and Iraq since April 2003. When they returned home in 
mid-May 2004 they were surrounded by loved ones who hadn't seen them in 
over a year.
  The transportation company was involved in various aspects of 
transportation, convoy operations and supply missions. Within the first

[[Page E1676]]

96 hours of arriving in Kuwait they pulled their first mission--not an 
easy feat. Often, they drove Humvees mounted with .50 caliber machine 
guns, escorting vital equipment throughout Iraq. The unit logged some 
2.3 million miles in the 13 months they were overseas.
  I am very proud of the safety and performance record of the 1175th. 
They served with distinction by implementing the largest track vehicle 
movement since World War II not once, but twice in the matter of a few 
months, while training in the U.S. They also had the best safety record 
and operational readiness status of the other 15 plus transportation 
companies working in Iraq/Kuwait.
  Iraq is hot, dry, and dusty. Sometimes temperatures reached upwards 
of 135 to 140 degrees. Knowing the numerous dangers and environment it 
surprised me to read and hear statements from soldiers such as Sergeant 
Tommy Adcock say, ``Our Country has taken care of us, now it's payback 
time.''
  It is sad that the 1175th lost two of its own. Staff Sergeant Nathan 
Jerome Bailey and Staff Sergeant David Leroy Lyod lost their lives 
defending a country they cared so deeply about. We need to remember 
that our countrymen are making the ultimate sacrifice in defense of 
this country. These men and women have served honorably and with 
distinction. What makes our country so great are all of the brave 
Americans that step up and defend this great nation. For that I say 
thank you and God Bless.

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