Vice president thanks Airmen and service members in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck
  • 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq Public Affairs
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq (AFNS) --  A crowd of more than 200 service members, many of them Airmen, and civilians deployed in support of Operation New Dawn listened to Vice President Joe Biden during his recent stop at Al Faw Palace here.

"It makes me feel like we have the support of the people back home," said Staff Sgt. Pearl Alomar, an Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq personnel specialist. "He came here just to talk to us."

The vice president spoke about the continued risk to the lives of American service members and the sacrifices made by their families.

"We do our normal jobs every day," said Staff Sgt. Catherine Banks, an intelligence analyst. "This visit reminds us how our leaders feel about what we're doing."

It was Mr. Biden's second trip to Iraq in the past four months. In September 2010, he represented the U.S. for the start of OND.

"This shows Airmen that our leaders are connected to what's going on in the theater," said Maj. Christopher Dupre, the U.S. Forces-Iraq Information Operations branch chief. "It gives us a sense of where we're going as we reposture forces and get the mission done."

During the speech, a group of service members stood behind the vice president.

"We have two of our hard workers, Airmen who stand up and volunteer for anything regardless of the task," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Thornton, a 321st Air Expeditionary Wing first sergeant. "We selected the best from our unit to represent us."

Mr. Biden said the nation owes more to the men and women in uniform than it will ever be able to repay them, as he delivered his message of thanks from Americans at home.

"I've been to change-of-command ceremonies with generals," said Sergeant Banks. "It's not often you get to see the vice president."