[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 145 (Friday, November 4, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S12398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION OF FORT CAMPBELL, KY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the men and 
women who make up the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, 
KY. In the war on terror, these soldiers frequently form the front 
lines. I offer them the thanks and prayers of a grateful nation as they 
are in the process of deploying to Iraq once again.
  The 101st has seen action in Iraq before. They led the initial wave 
of forces sent to liberate that country in March 2003. About 19,000 
soldiers in all from the 101st helped bring freedom to the Iraqi people 
and destroy Saddam Hussein's illegitimate regime.
  After the fall of Hussein, the soldiers of the 101st operated around 
the city of Mosul in northern Iraq--I had a chance to visit them there 
in 2003--keeping innocent Iraqis safe and tracking down terrorists. 
Stationed in Iraq for about a year, they undertook some of the most 
hazardous duties yet in the war on terror. Tragically, 73 soldiers from 
Fort Campbell have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to 
date, including four soldiers killed near Baghdad earlier this very 
week.
  My heart goes out to the families of these brave heroes. I believe 
the best way we can respect their memories is to finish their mission 
in Iraq with honor. I have tried to do my utmost in this Senate to see 
that our Armed Forces get everything they need to fulfill that mission, 
and I will continue to do so, as I know my other colleagues will as 
well.
  The 101st Airborne Division, also known as ``The Screaming Eagles,'' 
is one of the most respected divisions in our armed services and 
frequently gets the first call when crisis strikes. They specialize in 
the rapid deployment of soldiers into combat from helicopters.
  The division was founded in 1942 and parachuted into Normandy on D-
Day during World War II. Later, many of its members saw action at the 
Battle of the Bulge. The 101st continued to serve many critical 
missions in Vietnam and the first gulf war. They are the best America 
has to offer, and I might also add, the HBO series ``Band of Brothers'' 
from a few years ago was about the 101st Airborne in World War II. It 
took that storied unit from the beaches of Normandy through to the end 
of the war.
  The 101st Airborne began redeploying to Iraq in September, and by the 
end of this month, about 20,000 of its soldiers will be back in Iraq.
  They will be gone for at least a year. For many soldiers, this will 
be their third deployment since September 11, 2001: The 101st was also 
deployed to Afghanistan soon after the attack of September 11.
  MG Thomas R. Turner, who commands the 101st Airborne, expressed the 
confidence and clarity of vision that all soldiers of the 101st share 
when he spoke at a color casing ceremony recently to signal the 
official departure of his soldiers to Iraq.
  Referring to the 101st Airborne's mission, he said:

       Our end state is clear: An Iraq at peace with its 
     neighbors, and an ally in the War on Terror, with a 
     representative government that respects the human rights of 
     all Iraqis.

  Just as in wars before, our country fights not for land or treasure 
but for freedom. In previous centuries, America has fought to secure 
liberty, end slavery, and stamp out fascism. Our cause today is equally 
just. We fight to defeat the terrorists who would rule by fear. And we 
are fighting to spread freedom, because freedom is the antidote to the 
terrorists' fear.
  As Thanksgiving approaches, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking the soldiers of the 101st Airborne for their extraordinary 
service. Kentucky thanks them as well. We all pray for their safe 
return.
  I yield the floor.

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