TANNER REMARKS ON 'WEEK OF THE EAGLES'

WASHINGTON – Congressman John Tanner made remarks in the Congressional Record Wednesday in honor of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, a portion of which is in the 8th Congressional district, which Tanner represents in the U.S. House.

RECOGNIZING THE MILITARY FAMILIES OF THE 101^ST
AIRBORNE DIVISION DURING “THE WEEK OF THE EAGLES”

 HON. JOHN S. TANNER
OF TENNESSEE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army, based at Fort Campbell, a portion of which I am honored to represent in this chamber. This week marks the biennial celebration known as “The Week of the Eagles,” when we acknowledge the immeasurable contributions to our country from the current, veteran and fallen members of the 101st Airborne Division and their families, all of whom have made great personal sacrifices in service to our nation.

The inspiration for the book and television mini-series “The Band of Brothers,” the Screaming Eagles have historically played prominent roles in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. They were instrumental in successes in Operation Anaconda, a tough early front in the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan. They have also answered the call of duty repeatedly to serve in Iraq, and many of these courageous men and women will deploy to Iraq again later this year.

The tradition of “The Week of the Eagles” began in 1973 when the Screaming Eagles returned home from the Vietnam War and held a community festival to showcase the division’s combat readiness. The celebration was resurrected in 1996 by 101st Airborne Division Commander Major General William Kernan to remember those service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States Army. We now celebrate “The Week of the Eagles” biennially to both honor the fallen troops and their families and showcase the readiness of the 101st Airborne’s mighty combat units.

I trust that, even if there is healthy difference of opinion among some of our colleagues and the international community about the civilian leadership of the United States Armed Forces, every member of this body supports those families who are bravely serving our country and is proud of the families of the 101st Airborne Division, whose efforts throughout the division’s long and storied history have served our country well.

Madam Speaker, I join you and our colleagues in the House of Representatives in honoring the 101st Airborne Division, thanking the Screaming Eagles and their families for their dedication and patriotism, remembering those 101st Airborne members who have given their lives in service to our country, and recognizing “The Week of the Eagles.” 

Tanner serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and as chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714