 California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger talks with Spc. Ferrell Mapp, a resident of Richmond, Calif., and a member of the California National Guard, 49th Military Police Brigade, during a breakfast event held on Camp Victory, Baghdad, Nov. 17. At right is Brig. Gen. Donald Currier, commander of the 49th, and close aide to the governor in his civilian job. Photo by Sgt. Kenneth Bince, 49the Military Police Brigade. Schwarzenegger said he visited the Fairfield, Calif.-based 49th Military Police Brigade (MPB) troops to show his support and bring attention to the California Guardsmen's service to their nation. "He's been wanting to visit the troops for the last few years but hasn't had the opportunity," said Schwarzenegger’s communications director, Matt David. "He thought now would be a good time to make a short trip over there." Schwarzenegger visited the 49th as the brigade is two months into their deployment here. Their mission is to direct more than 5,000 service members as they train and develop the capabilities of the Iraqi Police (IP), building on the training the 49th provided the IP during a previous deployment here in 2005/06. Schwarzenegger addressed the Soldiers of the 49th, thanking them for their sacrifice. "All of you are doing a tough job,” he said. “You and your families are sacrificing a lot for our country. America is a great nation because men and women like you have defended America for hundreds of years." Brig. Gen. Donald Currier, commander of the 49th MPB, commented on how valuable the governor's visit was to his troops' morale. "Time is more important than money, and Gov. Schwarzenegger is always very generous with his time when it comes to our troops," Currier said. "What he shared with our Soldiers this morning will go a long way." Spc. Ferrell Mapp, of Sacramento, expressed his excitement and echoed the sentiments of his commander. "This morning was fantastic,” he said. “It's great that he came all the way out here to show us how much he supports us." Schwarzenegger previously visited troops on USO-sponsored tours to Bosnia in 2002 and Iraq in 2003. (By 1st Lt. William Marquez, 49the Military Police Brigade) |
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