| Pawlenty visits troops in Iraq |
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By T.W. Budig ECM Capitol reporter Gov. Tim Pawlenty visited with members of the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company, 34th Infantry Division, in Basra, Iraq, today during a visit to Iraq Pawlenty and several other governors took over the weekend. Three members of the unit, all Minnesotans, were killed on Thursday (July 16) by rocket fire — media reports have Iraqi officials holding a suspect in the rocket attack in custody. Pawlenty, in conference call with reporters this afternoon while speaking from Kuwait, said the members of the small MP unit were “sad and heartbroken” over the loss of their comrades. First Lt. Philip Jergenson, of St. Francis, commands the MP unit, according to the Minnesota National Guard website. Pawlenty spoke with Jergenson and other members of the unit. Although shying from details, Pawlenty said company members spoke of the killed soldiers as the best people they ever met — soldiers they trusted with their lives and would trust with the lives of their families. Specialist (SPC) Daniel P. Drevnick, 22, of Woodbury, SPC James Wertish, 20, of Olivia and SPC Carlos E. Wilcox IV, 27, of Cottage Grove were killed in the attack. According to the National Guard, Pawlenty, when meeting with the MPs, gave a one-word answer when asked by a unit member if he intended to atternd the funeral services. ““Yes,’” said the governor. Words fail in trying to express the sorrow and pain the families of the fallen soldiers must be experiencing, said Pawlenty to reporters. “We don’t walk in their shoes,” he said. Still, his visited to Iraq, Pawlenty’s fourth as governor, was to let Minnesotans serving in Iraq know that they are not forgotten, Pawlenty said. Indeed, they’re heroes, he explained. Beyond this, national guard troops are playing a historic and role in Iraq in importance not seen since World War II, Pawlenty opined. The “Red Bull” or 34th infantry Division, which operate out of Rosemount, has command authority over nine of the 18 providence in Iraq. That the suspect Iraqi officials are holding, according to media reports, has Iranian connection serves to complicated relationships with Iran, Pawlenty explained. Basra, located in southern Iraq, is close to the border between Iraq and Iran and Iran has long exerted a strong influence in the region, according to media reports. While violence levels are down in Iraq, the country is still dangerous, Pawlenty explained. But Pawlenty said the morale of the U.S troops is very good. Pawlenty indicated that he supported the Obama Administration’s plan to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq — the governor indicated a wariness about specific time lines and also said the desires of Iraqis needed to be taken in consideration. According to the Associated Press, some 81 Minnesotans have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pawlenty visits, scheduled this spring, coincides with death of another Minnesota soldier, Air Force Capt. Thomas J. Gramith, 27, from Eagan, who was killed in a crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle jet in Afghanistan, according to media reports. Pawlenty indicated that the captain’s death, as reported, had been the result of an accident. The governor spoke of a permanent, lasting memorial being erected in Minnesota to commemorate state soldiers and sailors who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The commander of the Minnesota National Guard said the loss of its members is felt deeply by the guard. “We mourn the loss of these three soldiers; they were truly part of our National Guard family,” said Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, the Adjutant General of Minnesota, in press release of the three MPs. “Please take a moment to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by these three brave men,” said the general. In addtion to visiting Basra, Pawlenty also visited Bagdad during the trip. Comments (0)
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