Thompson Visits Iraq, Afghanistan

By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
One of the strongest impressions Congressman Glenn Thompson got during his visit to Iraq and Afghanistan is that the men and women serving there are proud Americans who hope other Americans are proud of them.

Thompson was part of a Congressional delegation that traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait Thursday through Sunday. On Monday, he arrived in Budapest, Hungary, where he hosted a conference call with reporters in the US.

Thompson said one man from Pennsylvania "about my age … returned to active duty, took a leave from teaching so he could go and make a difference there."

He said he also talked to sons and daughters of people in Mifflin, Centre, Venango, Lycoming and Potter counties. He added that he's sure he talked to people from other counties, but he didn't get their hometowns.

"The Fifth District obviously is well-represented in heroes that are serving there," Thompson said.

He did say, however, that he didn't get a chance to meet with our local National Guard troops because a "pretty significant sand storm" rolled into Iraq at the same time his delegation did.

He said the only way to get to our local troops – one of whom is a former Eagle Scout of his – is by helicopter, and the storm grounded all the helicopters.

He added that one of things the troops want from him is to get the word out that they're making progress.

"They don't always feel the good things are reported," Thompson said, adding that they want people to understand how successful things have been.

One thing Thompson is hoping to make progress on is "eradication of the poppy crop, which fuels the heroin trade, which funds the terrorists."

He said members of the Drug Enforcement Agency are there "aggressively working on a strategy for dealing with the heroin, which is, frankly, what's funding the terrorists and the insurgents and the Taliban at this point."

Thompson said it's a "challenging situation," but he's looking forward to pursuing it further.

One of the challenges, he explained, is that alternative crops like wheat and corn draw moisture from the soil. In the 1930s in America, he said, that problem led to the Dust Bowl which forced people – mostly from Oklahoma and Texas – to move to California and other states in search of better conditions.

Thompson, who is a member of the House Agriculture Committee, said they have to work on developing alternative crops and infrastructure needs so the Afghanis can move ahead.

He noted that Afghanistan was considered a "food basket" for that part of the world 40 years ago, and he would like to "return it to being an area that has a strong agri-business component that does not include drug trafficking."

Thompson noted that conditions in Iraq are improving more quickly than in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan makes Iraq look "like a vacation spot" because of the poor conditions there.

But, he said, the buildup of the Afghan army and national police will help the situation.

He said the US commanders' plans are consistent with the president's plan for troop withdrawal.

He said it's still a fragile, volatile and dangerous area, adding that they know they need additional troops to use a similar strategy to the one used in Iraq.

Thompson said the 17,000 additional troops by July that President Obama promised is a "great start" to do what needs to be done.

He did say there were some light moments during the trip.

General Ray Odierno's roommate at West Point was from Centre County so Thompson, a Centre County native, took him some Penn State paraphernalia.

As he was walking into the general's office, a number of staff members in the outer office chanted the familiar "We are … Penn State!"

Pictured, Congressmen Platts and Thompson with Pennsylvania soldiers; Congressman Thompson with Specialist Hetrick, of Lewistown Pa.; Congressman Thompson with General Ray Odierno, Commander, Multi-National Force Iraq.
(Photos courtesy of Congressman Thompson's office)