No one could be any prouder of this country’s accomplishments in the “War Against Terror” than the members of the 101st Airborne, stationed at Fort Campbell. Their commitment and vigilance thousands of miles away are the very actions that have preserved our freedoms to this day.
Since January, members of the 101st have been welcomed home from tours of duty each week. In airports, grocery stores, and shopping malls they are graciously thanked for their service. If you haven’t had a chance to thank a soldier for their service lately, please do so. Our troops, active-duty and retired, deserve our thanks.
The events of the past few days gave the troops returning to Fort Campbell this week added satisfaction and pride in their mission. Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Quieda had been killed. It was also the 101st’s own 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (The Night Stalkers) that executed the plan to deliver the Navy SEALS Assault Team to Bin Laden’s compound. Mission Accomplished!
Yesterday, May 6th, President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden arrived at Fort Campbell. The President met privately with the assault team and then publicly addressed the members of the 101st. Click here to see the transcript of his address:
A Presidential visit to a military installation, such as Fort Campbell, is a very special event, regardless of anyone’s political preference. I was surprised to learn that President Barack Obama is the sixth US President to visit Fort Campbell. This is the second time President Obama has met with members of the 101st, the first time in Afghanistan.
Here is the history of Presidential Visits to the post, from the website www.welcometoclarksville.com:
The post received particular attention from George W. Bush, who visted three times while president and made a Fort Campbell appearance one of the final events of his years as commander-in-chief.
2008: Bush spoke to an audience of about 7,500 soldiers at Hangar 9 on Nov. 25, 2008, before having lunch with 11 soldiers from 101st Airborne Division at Son’s Cafe.
During his speech, in reflecting on his years in office, Bush said, “Above all, I’m going to miss spending time with men and women who have volunteered to serve the United States of America, the fine men and women who wear the uniform.”
2004: Bush made his second visit to Fort Campbell March 18, 2004, following a difficult but victorious 101st Airborne deployment in Iraq.
Bush addressed more than 12,000 members of the 101st Airborne Division, along with 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group troops.
He was introduced by then-commanding general of Fort Campbell Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus. Bush had lunch with a group of soldiers and went to the post’s Pratt Museum to meet with the families of 46 soldiers who were killed during the global war on terrorism.
2001: Bush first visited Fort Campbell for a Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 22, 2001, two months after the 9/11 terror attacks. More than 10,000 soldiers at the Division Parade Field greeted the president with chants of “USA” and cries of “Hooah” and “Air Assault.”
Bush told the soldiers that terrorism will be snuffed out and the Screaming Eagles should be ready if they’re deployed to fight the “evil ones.”
Several 5th Special Forces Group soldiers were already in Afghanistan, helping to root out the Taliban regime. Two months later, in January 2002, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne deployed to Afghanistan.
2000: President Bill Clinton arrived briefly at Fort Campbell aboard Air Force One, shook hands with well-wishers, and was flown via Marine One helicopter to an Owensboro, Ky., appearance.
1992: President George H.W. Bush landed at Fort Campbell in 1992 for a speech at Austin Peay State University. The former president also stopped at the post later that year on his way to a campaign rally in Paducah, Ky.
1985: President Ronald Reagan came to Fort Campbell for the Gander memorial after more than 200 soldiers died in a plane crash over Newfoundland.
1984: Reagan made a stop at Fort Campbell on his way to Bowling Green, Ky., to inspect Mammoth Cave National Park.
1966: President Lyndon Johnson came to Fort Campbell to inspect weapons captured from North Vietnamese soldiers.
Compiled from Leaf-Chronicle archives.
Yesterday, Friday May 6th was “Military Spouse Appreciation Day.” Even though the official day has passed, it is never too late to show appreciation to the spouses and family of our brave service men and women.
Now is also an unprecedented time for military families to purchase a new home. Normally I would not throw a “home sales message” into a post of this context, but I also feel we have an obligation to inform, espeically when the information can change a financial future.
We all know that Veterans can purchase a new home without a down-payment using a VA Loan. The State of Tennessee has made that loan eligibility even more attractive with its “Homeownership for the Brave” program for active duty and retired military, and those that have served in the armed forces.
The interest rate savings are tremendous and I will be sharing more information and savings examples in a future posting. In the meantime, if you would like more information on this exciting program, please call me at 615.593.6340.
Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019 direct 615.593.6340. Specializing in new homes in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, Tennessee
nashvillehomesblog.com 