Ladies and Gentlemen:
I want to let everyone know that I traveled to Ft. Hood Texas on the 30th of January and returned to MacDill on the 31st. The purpose for the trip was to observe the training of our 2400 Florida National Guard troops (53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team) that are getting prepared for a late February deployment to Kuwait and Iraq. I was most impressed by the diversity of training and the real-life scenarios that were exercised. Ft. Hood trainers have said that the current Florida Guard troops are the best group they have encountered. I observed several training exercises and had a chance to meet with senior staff and the troops as well. The attitudes are positive and our troops are ready!
I was informed that there were no combat casualties in the month of December, 2009, in Iraq.
I am an ESGR (Employer Support Guard and Reserve) Committee member for the State of Florida. I have added a few pictures of my trip at Ft. Hood Texas . Please join me in wishing our Florida National Guard a safe journey and expressing our thanks to their family members!
Cordially,
William Burda, MBA, PHR, LHRM
