Many Thanks - Love, The Heart of El Paso
by Mayor John Cook

Many years ago, I can recall my return to our great country after serving it through service in the U.S. Army. It was an age of bellbottoms, new thinking and Vietnam. The memories are still vivid – coming home from fighting an unpopular war only to be greeted by a mob of anti-war protestors. That was my welcome home. Today, as mayor of a city whose intimate friend and neighbor is a military installation, I have kept close tabs on military affairs.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, over 700,000 soldiers have deployed from and returned to Fort Bliss. We have the distinct privilege of serving as home to some of the Army’s premier units. One of these is the distinguished 4th Brigade of the 1st Cavalry, a combat brigade that lost 31 soldiers during their 17 months in Iraq. On Christmas day, the last of the Cav returned from their overseas assignment. In witnessing this very emotional arrival home, I could not help but recall my own homecoming.

I contemplated long and hard about how future sons and daughters of America would be treated upon returning from war. My eldest son served during Desert Storm and is still on active duty today. When your children and grandchildren are old enough to serve in our military, one can’t help but look at things from a personal perspective. Will they be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve for their service and sacrifices?

My appreciation for the military runs deep, a feeling I know is shared by the vast majority of El Pasoans. Since our city maintains such a cohesive sentiment, what better way to say thank you and welcome home to the courageous members of the 4-1 Cavalry, members of the 3-43 ADA and all the Fort Bliss men and women who unselfishly served their country than right from the Heart of El Paso?

I am proud to say that our city’s Downtown – the Heart of our City – will play proud host to an event – the Welcome Home Heroes Parade. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 27th at 12:00 noon. I encourage all El Pasoans who are proud of their country and our military to come out and show your appreciation.

4-1 Cavalry – Many Thanks. Love, The Heart of El Paso.

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A Message From The Governor
by Governor Rick Perry

As Governor of Texas, it is an honor to extend greetings to all present at the Welcome Home Parade in honor of the soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team 1st Cavalry Division, the Long Knife Brigade, on their return to Fort Bliss. This parade represents an excellent opportunity for those across Texas and the nation to pay tribute to your exemplary service.

As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and as the son of a World War II veteran, I know that the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces serve this nation with boundless pride, expertise and professionalism, seeking to make a difference for this great nation and all who call it home.

4th Brigade Combat Team, you represent one of the units of action throughout the Army that developed in Fort Bliss. Since your activation in Noel Field in 2005, you have served with conviction, enduring in your defense of America, and unrelenting in your courage and commitment. You represent the efforts of team work and dedication to holding high the flag of these United States. Your hard work in Iraq came about from your loyalty to the Soldiers Creed to become American soldiers that are true guardians of freedom and to protect the American way of life. You triumphed as heroes and have provided us with lessons in selflessness and sacrifice.

As I join my fellow Texans in expressing our unwavering support to you and your families, know that we will never forget your service or the importance of the cause that you defend: a world safe for democracy.

Never should we forget to extend our deepest respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Patriots unsurpassed, they and their families will forever be revered and respected for all that they gave in answering their nation’s call. Forever, their fortitude remains exemplary to a grateful nation; forever, their memories will live on as Americans from one generation to the next continue to pay tribute to their patriotism without parallel.

First Lady Anita Perry joins me in extending our appreciation to you and your loved ones as we wish you the best for the future. I commend your efforts, sacrifices and triumphs. With patriotism beyond measure, you have made a grateful nation proud. May God continue to bless America, and may God continue to watch over you.

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Gratitude from a Veteran and Congressman
by Representative Silvestre Reyes

As an American, the U.S. Representative for El Paso, and especially as a Vietnam combat veteran, I want to extend my deep gratitude to the members and families of 4-1 Cavalry and 3-43 Air Defense Artillery Brigade for their service in Iraq and their sacrifices here at home. I am so proud to celebrate and honor them at the City of El Paso’s parade on February 27. As I was once a young soldier returning home from a combat situation, I know this can be an overwhelming time for them. To our servicemembers and their families: please know that I am here not only to celebrate your return, but to assist you in any way I can.

El Pasoans and Americans should be extremely proud of the extraordinary work of these fine Fort Bliss soldiers. The 4-1 Cavalry served for over 14 months in Iraq, three months longer than initially expected. They carried out a difficult but critical mission to help build Iraqi security forces. I had the privilege of speaking to 4-1 at their deployment ceremony at Fort Bliss before they left for Iraq. This was a difficult speech for me. I knew they were leaving the safety of El Paso for the danger of Iraq. The strength displayed by the members and families of 4-1 at this tough time reinforced to me the professionalism and dedication of these El Paso heroes.

I also had the opportunity to visit with members of 4-1 Cav while they were serving in Iraq. I was honored to visit with our soldiers. Even while working in the stress of a combat situation, “GI humor” prevailed and morale was high. They carried out their duties with steadfast determination. I also want to recognize the exemplary leadership of their commander, Colonel Stephen Twitty.

Upon meeting with family members of 4-1 Cav here at Fort Bliss last August, I had the chance to talk with relatives of those deployed in Iraq, who deserve just as many accolades and gratitude as their deployed loved ones. Even at this difficult time in their lives, when they carried the endless stress of worrying about their loved ones who were exposed to such danger, they were strong and determined.

While we celebrate this return, we also mourn and honor the 31 fallen members of 4-1 Cav. Let us always honor and remember their sacrifice. Opinions vary on the Iraq War, but the service and sacrifice of our military families is one thing upon which everyone agrees. As a grateful community, we humbly thank you.

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The Embrace of the Community
by Commissioner Veronica Escobar

Last month I had the honor of standing alongside other local leaders at Biggs Airfield, waiting to welcome home two airplanes full of troops from the 4-1 Cavalry who were returning to El Paso from deployments overseas. It was cold outside that evening, but there were hundreds of family members bundled up, waiting to see their loved ones. There were mothers holding their babies, and family and friends holding balloons, teddy bears, flowers, posters, banners and photographs. The excitement in the air was palpable and contagious, and I felt very lucky to be a part of the festivities.

This welcome delegation I was a part of had the special job of greeting and shaking every soldier’s hand as they came off the airplane. “Welcome home,” “It’s good to have you back,” and “Thank you for serving,” was all we had time to say. It was a whirlwind event and the soldiers were eager to get off the tarmac and into the arms of their loved ones. During our quick exchanges, I got to look into their eyes, if only for a brief moment. Some of our soldiers looked tired, some looked excited, and some looked scared. Others didn’t look at me at all because, understandably, their eyes were busy scanning the large crowd behind me. Witnessing the actual reunion was the real treat. When the soldiers left the tarmac, they ran to their families; everywhere, there were families embracing, children crying, and parents filled with relief and joy. It was amazing.

I also thought about families who weren’t there that evening because their soldier was still in harm’s way, thousands of miles away or because, tragically, they were mourning the loss of one who would never again return home to their embrace.

So many of these families and the men and women who have just returned will live and work in our community, raise their children here, and become a part of the fabric of El Paso. And there’s simply no better place. We are a community that works hard, enjoys life and loves its families. In this warm border community, there are no strangers only friends. And what I say to our soldiers who are coming back to El Paso is that you will become just as much an El Pasoan as those of us who were born and bred here. And I hope you love it as much as the rest of us do. Welcome home, indeed.

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El Paso’s 10 Year Evolution Now A 10 Year Revolution
by State Senator Eliot Shapleigh

We are on the verge of the best ten years in our community’s history.

Ten years ago, El Paso reeled from the effects of NAFTA. Our economy suffered from the massive loss of manufacturing jobs, a flight of young and educated workers, and a shrinking entrepreneurial private sector. Our quality of life suffered from a lack of vision—a political and business leadership with a history of placing private interests before the interests of our community.

Now today, so much has changed. We are the on verge of the best ten years in El Paso’s history.

When I was elected state senator in 1996, we knew that El Paso would have to re-imagine itself to thrive. We knew we had to begin with a vision of El Paso as a center of medical care and innovation; a laboratory of technology and ideas; and a community of livable neighborhoods, with quality parks and trails.

In 1998, we spearheaded the El Paso Economic Summit to stake El Paso’s future on the “Medical Center of the Americas.”

We funded $50 million of tobacco money in permanent endowments. We passed a BHI bill, along with $140 million in riders, for the two buildings that rise on the MCA today. We worked with business leaders to launch the MCA Foundation. In 2007, we passed funding for the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech and gained approval of a Children’s Hospital at Thomason Hospital. And next session, we will get funding for the medical school’s third building.

Fort Bliss is also growing with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Almost 67,000 troops and dependants will move to El Paso over the coming years.

As Chair of the Senate BRAC subcommittee, we passed the most innovative state ‘military value’ bill in the U.S. Under it, military communities can access $250 million in state funds to build water, wastewater, highway, even health facilities; and we passed a bill to guarantee a year of pre-k to all military children. Our chief community challenge for BRAC in the next years will be building nine new schools and hiring 300 teachers.

El Paso must also continue its fight for clean air. For us to build a 21st-century town, we need to end a 19th-century polluter. What happens to UTEP, Downtown Revitalization and regional technology centers when 7,000 tons of new pollutants stream out the ASARCO stack?

Other cities like Tacoma, Dallas, even Omaha dealt with lead smelters long ago. ASARCO lists $11 billion in Chapter 11 liabilities, most of which we as taxpayers will pay. To build a better El Paso, we need to stop the air permit, re-develop the land and move on to another era.

Over the next ten years, El Paso will experience change and opportunity: Fort Bliss, the Medical Center of the Americas, regional manufacturing and downtown renewal. Much of the dream from a decade ago is now reality. Let’s never forget—El Paso is worth the fight!

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