[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2004

  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, the 278th Armored Cavalry 
Regiment having been activated and mobilized as the 278th Regimental 
Combat Team has some of Tennessee's finest soldiers. They are currently 
training in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, before moving to the National 
Training Center in Ft. Irwin, California, for additional training. 
Before departing for their duty location in Northern Iraq they will 
return to Tennessee where they will appropriately have a sendoff on 
Veterans Day.
  Headquartered in Knoxville, the 278th is the only enhanced Armored 
Cavalry Regiment in the National Guard and one of only two in the 
United States Army. The 278th is the largest unit in the Tennessee Army 
National Guard, with units stretching from one end of Tennessee to the 
other. A large portion of the 278th's soldiers live in the 4th 
Congressional District.
  While visiting the 278th at Camp Shelby I talked with soldiers from 
across the 4th District. Every soldier I talked with expressed a 
devotion to family and country. Our troops have the energy and 
patriotism needed to encourage democracy abroad by promoting strong 
American values and ideals. The families should know that their loved 
ones are receiving world class training and equipment.
  In a State that claims Sgt. Alvin York as its native son no one 
should be surprised that Tennessee is appropriately named the Volunteer 
State. This largest callup of Tennessee National Guardsmen only further 
demonstrates our commitment to country. I would like to ask everyone to 
pray for our brothers and sisters who will shortly be put in harm's 
way. May God look after our troops and their families.

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