Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
Secure Borders - Honest Elections About forty-seven years ago as a US Army Reservist, I was assigned to the 322nd Military History Detachment. This unique unit was attached to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Jeff exploring Fort Campbell Kentucky. Our job was to write a history of the 101st in civilian Vietnam. My CO, Major McKenzie, leadership in told me years later that our work whose hands (mostly his work) was archived at the American Fort Campbell’s Don F. Pratt Museum. people have During a writing assignment to nearby placed their Clarksville, Tennessee, I was allowed destiny. on post to visit the museum in search of this historical manuscript. The curator of the museum was out, so I was unable to locate the document. To my chagrin, I found the road leading But before departing, my escort to Fort Campbell’s gate littered with treated me to a tour of the post. There tattoo shops, massage parlors, pawn were few soldiers present because shops, check cashing stores, title loan the 101st was in the field training. I stores, beer joints, and “adult” novelty learned later, according to a Pentagon shops. I have always believed the announcement, that elements of the presence of some such establishments, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) anywhere really, poses a national had been ordered to deploy to Europe. security threat. But perhaps this Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division threat is especially keen near military and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team installations. In my view, the proximity have been notified to begin movement of prurient businesses to American to Europe as soon as this summer. Soldiers besmirches the honorable, By the time you read this, the 101st heroic mission our servicemen and may already be in Eastern Europe. women face. Our warfighters deserve The deploying units will join V Corps better. In fact, they deserve the in support of the US commitment absolute best. Not the crumbs. And to Europe and NATO Allies as part of certainly not the current incompetent the ongoing response to the invasion
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of Ukraine. Following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, whoever’s actually running the Biden Administration wants new wars. So, we pivot to Ukraine and Somalia. As Major General JP McGee, Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division explained, “Over the last six months we conducted two division-wide training exercises, greatly increasing the readiness of our Soldiers, units, and Families. As we have for the last 80 years, the 101st Airborne Division stands ready to deploy anywhere to support and defend the Nation and our Allies. The contributions and sacrifices that our Families make in support of our Soldiers are critical to our success. They are an integral part of the Screaming Eagle Team and we are committed to supporting them while deployed. Since D-Day, June 6, 1944, this division has repeatedly answered the Nation’s call in every major conflict. Once again, Screaming Eagles head to Europe. The Screaming Eagles of today are ready to support our Allies to preserve the long-lasting stability in Europe that our predecessors fought and died to secure.” It disturbs me to see our brave young warriors deployed like pawns; not, as I see it, “to preserve the long-lasting stability in Europe” as General McGee states. But to secure the borders The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
