Posted by
Ron Devito on Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:55:50 AM
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Alaska Army National Guard officials
will visit Alaskan soldiers who are serving overseas. Governor Palin
announced on June 24, 2009 that she "will make hospital visits, attend
promotion ceremonies and observe training exercises through the
weekend" (Overseas, 2009, ¶1).
Federal clearance was received
for Governor Palin, Alaska Adjutant General Craig Campbell and Alaska
Command Sergeant Major Gordon Choate to travel for the Alaska National
Guard visit (Overseas, 2009, ¶2).
"These troops are our fellow
Alaskans,” Governor Palin said. “They are making major sacrifices for
all of us. General Campbell and I will show our support and
appreciation for our troops on behalf of all the people of Alaska"
(Overseas, 2009, ¶3)
"It is critical for the families that we
give them as much information as possible to lessen the worry and build
strength at home," said Lt. Gen. (AK) Craig E. Campbell, Adjutant
General of the Alaska National Guard. "When the family is strong, the
soldier is strong and the mission is completed with a high degree of
success" (Overseas, 2009, ¶4)
The U.S. Department of Defense has
requested that no additional details of Governor Palin’s travel plans
be released at this time for security reasons (Overseas, 2009, ¶5).
Commentary
This
is a major trip -- likely of the size and scope of the Kuwait trip
Governor Palin made in July 2007. This author's avatar - a tight
close-up of the first picture he ever saw of Governor Palin -
originated from that trip. Governor Palin conceived Trig either just
before or after that trip, so it was a major milestone in her
professional and personal life.
This forthcoming trip will be
equally significant. Governor Palin has complete command over the Army
National Guard in her state -- as each governor does in theirs. This
trip; therefore will be a significant command experience item for her.
Like
the last time, Governor Palin will be standing alongside her troops in
training and other activities, eating the same food they eat in their
cafeterias, visiting the wounded, and bearing witness to promotions.
She will not be watching from afar -- no Transformational Leader ever
does. She will be right in the thick of it with them.
Governor Palin is going to once again show this administration and us how commanding armies is done....
References
Governor Palin to visit Alaska troops overseas. (2009, June 24). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 25, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1931