Several U.S. Senators,
Representatives, and Governors, led by John McCain and Steve Feingold came to
visit Sunday.
As part of the General’s special staff, I was able to meet each of the nine
elected leaders. Senator John McCain led the group. He was dressed
in a blue polo shirt and faded blue jeans; his shock of white hair under a tan
baseball cap. I shook each of their hands and introduced myself as “Bryan
Salas of Virginia.” One’s home state was important as they all were
interested in meeting one of their constituents. There were no Virginia
representatives on this trip.
We
gave them a brief on the overall situation and then listened to their concerns
and questions. It was a pleasure to hear them speak in a courteous and
collegial manner, unlike the paradigm of political conflict developed by the
media.
Despite
their disparate political backgrounds, each wanted America to be successful in
Iraq, to ensure we had all the equipment and support we needed to be
successful. Our general was frank in his discussion with them, as
he never sugar coats anything but is always even-handed.
From
the conference room we went to the dining facility where Marines and Sailors
from the representatives’ home states waited to eat lunch with them. The
atmosphere in the chow hall was electric. Senator McCain is a living
legend in the military due to his time as a POW in Vietnam. We were
packed in there shoulder-to-shoulder and back-to-back. I sat at the same
table as New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District
Representative. I could not hear as the noise in the hall was deafening
and the New Mexico residents deserved their time with him.
One
Marine had McCain’s book and asked for a photo with the Senator. Then the
floodgates opened of Marines and Sailors with cameras lining up to get their
photo with him. He obliged all without complaint. I don’t think the
poor man had a chance to eat.
Then
the Sergeant Major barked at the Marines to break it up as the group had to
go. The crowd parted, and the group was swept away in white Suburbans in
a cloud of the ever-present dust to the helo port.
