VISITING OUR MILITARY BASES
Texans rightly brag on many things, particularly our state's contributions to the U.S. military. In protecting the freedom we enjoy each day, our troops proved once again they are the best-trained, best-equipped military in the world.
The Lone Star State has the largest number of active-duty service members in the military. More than 114,000 are based here. We are home to the most soldiers (64,000) and Air Force members (43,000) in the United States. The Navy has 6,000 personnel here and there are 1,700 Marines. In all, one in ten active duty personnel calls Texas home.
In April, I criss-crossed the state on a weeklong tour of our military installations. As Chairman of the Senate Military Construction Subcommittee on Appropriations, it is my job to ensure our bases have the facilities they need to sufficiently house, train and support our troops. This trip gave me an opportunity to meet with commanding officers to review on-going projects and assess their needs for new construction and improvements to existing facilities.
And while that's important business, Operation Iraqi Freedom gave this tour added significance. I also took the opportunity to pay tribute to our troops, whose bravery and dedication is exceptional. Their sacrifice, and that of their families, is testament to the mettle of this generation.
While our troops protect us and defend our way of life, they miss out on births of their children, tee ball games, anniversary celebrations and babies' first steps. They are separated from family and friends for days, weeks and months. And they serve in the harshest conditions of intense heat, blinding sandstorms and little sleep.
This visit came at an incredibly poignant time. On the eve of my tour, seven former prisoners of war (POWs) rescued in Iraq returned to Texas. Weeks earlier, the eyes of the world focused on Fort Bliss, after members of its 507th Maintenance Company were captured, and on Fort Hood, home base of two downed Apache pilots. I remained in close contact with the families of these POWs throughout their captivity, to ensure their needs were met and to offer support and encouragement.
To get the chance to meet the fine former POWs hospitalized at Fort Bliss and see the smiles on their faces was pure joy.
I admire the strength, both mental and physical, it took for the POWs to survive behind enemy lines. In fact, it's the commitment and caliber of our young men and women in uniform that struck me as I toured each base.
This spirit was best exemplified by the special operations team which rescued the young soldier Jessica Lynch from her captors. Upon learning that Americans were buried near the hospital where Pfc. Lynch was held, and having no shovels, the soldiers used their hands to dig up the graves, literally racing the sun in order to leave before daylight exposed them to the enemy. Americans never leave our own behind.
At each stop on the tour I was reminded how vital a role these Texas installations play in protecting our national defense. The bases and their communities made extraordinary contributions to the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and showed the world America's steely resolve and determination in the face of those who would destroy us. Our overwhelming victories affirm the critical role they play in preparing our troops for battle, and I could not be more proud to call Texas home.
May 2, 2003