Office of the Governor: STATEMENT AFTER OBSERVING MEMBERS OF THE 50th INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM AT FORT BLISS

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

August 02, 2008

Contact: Sean Darcy
Jim Gardner
609-777-2600


TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today addressed New Jersey National Guard members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) at Fort Bliss outside El Paso, Texas before heading back to New Jersey.  Prior to his departure, he offered the following statement.   

"First of all, the thing that did not surprise me was the high morale and great attitude of all these men and women. There are a lot of fired up people doing the job of serving this country. I am proud of them.  

“What did surprise me was how many of these folks are on their second and third tours. So many people have been asked to do so much, and a very limited group has taken on a very heavy burden. I think we have a responsibility, particularly in New Jersey, to support these families and get these soldiers back to work.

  "There are not a lot of words that can match up with the service and commitment that these young men and women demonstrate every single day. These men and women are serving our country and protecting our freedoms and I thank them.  

“We are honored by their service; and we have a moral obligation to stand up and make sure that their families are secure, that we provide the kind of support for what their mission is. And when they come home they have every opportunity to make sure that their economic lives are everything that they should be. We pledge that here today. I thank the Chamber of Commerce, all the employers, and all the legislators who have renewed that commitment here today. God bless you all.”