Quigley Visits Troops in Afghanistan
Congressman returns with admiration for troops, better understanding of situation on the ground
WASHINGTON - This Thanksgiving, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) returned home after a six-day congressional delegation trip to visit and thank American troops in Afghanistan. Quigley attended numerous briefings and demonstrations focused on increasing the safety and protection of troops handling improvised explosion devices (IEDs), which have been the cause of numerous casualties in both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
"Members of Congress need to see firsthand the result of our actions. It's one thing to take a vote on defense in Washington when you can't see the impact on the other side of the world," said Rep. Quigley. "Once you go and meet the guy whose job it is to dismantle an IED, your perspective changes, and it becomes more difficult. It shouldn't be easy, though. It's certainly not for the troops. No matter how many briefings I read or television accounts I watch, nothing comes close to breaking bread with Illinois soldiers and observing their daily lives."
Quigley and three other members of Congress maintained a rigorous itinerary of briefings and tours while overseas. In Afghanistan, Quigley met with the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Division in Kandahar and with Marine Corps General John Allen, Commanding General for International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker. The trip also included a stop at the United States Navy's 5th Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain to discuss Iran's growing influence in the Persian Gulf region and our efforts to address the threat.
"The extraordinary technology at our troops' disposal is matched only by their bravery in the face of indescribable danger. While visiting our service men and women was a tremendous privilege, I hope the next time I see them is at home."
BELOW: Rep. Quigley (center) has lunch with servicemen from Illinois in Kandahar.
BELOW: Rep. Quigley (center) suits up with members of the IED dismantling team in Kandahar.
BELOW: Rep. Quigley (center) is briefed aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
Quigley recently authored an opinion piece arguing for the end of the war in Afghanistan and moving us one step closer to solving what Admiral Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff identified as the number one threat to our national security " the national debt. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have already cost Americans an estimated $2.3 trillion, with future costs for veterans and their families estimated at an additional $884 billion.
High resolution photos are available upon request. Additional pictures can be found online.