Four members of the U.S. House of Representatives came to Camp Phoenix in Kabul on Sunday as part of an official congressional visit to Afghanistan.
The delegation was led by Congressman Steve Israel (NY 2nd District) from Long Island and included Congresswoman Shelly Berkley (NV 1st District) and two more New Yorkers, including Congressman Michael Arcuri (NY 24th District) from Utica and Congressman Thomas Reynolds (NY 26th District) from Williamsville.
Congressman Israel serves on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Arcuri serves on the House Rules and Transportation and Infrastructure committees and Congressman Reynolds serves on the House Ways and Means Committee.
Their trip included a planned visit with President Hamid Karzai and U.S. and coalition leaders within a compressed itinerary. But a visit to Camp Phoenix to see members of the New York National Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII was a priority.
They arrived at noon at Patriot Square, where headquarters, security force and logistical staff were waiting. The New York congressmen serve districts on Long Island and in Central and Western New York, where many 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team soldiers and their families live.
The chance for the troops to see and speak with their representative while in Afghanistan was a memorable experience. Many remembered appearances at sendoff ceremonies back in New York. Several joined the congressmen for lunch in the dining facility and a group photo opportunity with an armored vehicle.
“I have met and spoken with Congressman Israel before,” said Sgt. Michael Cantley of Smithtown, Long Island, who presented the congressman with an American flag that he personally flew at Camp Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2008.
Sgt. Cantley was among hundreds of New York National Guard soldiers who served on state active duty at the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, performing search and rescue operations. He was deployed in 2005 to Iraq as a member of the Fighting 69th Infantry.
“I wanted him to have this flag,” Cantley said of his presentation to Congressman Israel. “I wanted to be the one to give it to him.”
“It was an honor to meet him,” said Staff Sgt. Linda Nosbisch of Lancaster, who wanted to thank Congressman Reynolds for helping to preserve the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base, which is home to the New York Air National Guard’s 107th Air Refueling Wing, now converted to a transportation wing. “My son is in the 107th.”
“Congressman Arcuri lives near my parents,” said Capt. Joel Abelove, who is originally from Utica but now lives and works in the Albany area.
“I used to see him at conferences because he used to be a prosecutor, too,” said the military lawyer and former Rensselaer County deputy prosecutor with the Judge Advocate General office.
“This has been a really great visit for us,” said Col. Ray Shields, task force chief of staff. “Our soldiers got to see their congressional representatives, who brought along a strong message of support for our people and the job we are doing. Visits like these really help us understand that we are not being forgotten and that our work is invaluable to the nation.”
Shields concluded by saying, “It's inspiring to have four congressional representatives from New York and Nevada visit us 7,500 miles from the U.S. during a critical time back in Washington. We really appreciate their visit and personal attention.”
Lt. Col. Paul Fanning is submitting photos to accompany this blog in a gallery, "Pictures from the Front." To view the most recent photos, which accompany this blog entry, click here. To view the entire gallery, click here.
