FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska (CNN) – Sarah Palin left the campaign trail and stepped back into her role as Alaska governor on Thursday when she spoke at a ceremony honoring 4,000 Alaska-based troops who will deploy from Fort Wainwright to Iraq in the coming weeks.
Standing in formation among members of the 1st Stryker Brigade’s 25th Infantry Division was Palin’s eldest son, Track, who went unmentioned by the governor in her brief remarks. Palin had agreed to speak at the deployment ceremony several months ago, before she was tapped as John McCain’s running mate.
Though the speech wasn’t a political event – press credentials were issued by the military base - that didn’t stop dozens of national reporters and photographers from descending on this military base in Fairbanks, home to between nearly 12,000 soldiers and their families.
“As you depart today,” Palin told the infantrymen, “don’t mind us - your parents, your friends, your family - if we allow for a few tears, or if we hold you just a little close once more before you’re gone. Because were going to miss you. We can’t help it. We are going to miss you.”
Palin said victory in Iraq is “within sight.”
“You and others like you will be there to see the mission through,” she said. “You will be there to win. You will see victory.
Track Palin signed up to join the army on Sept. 11, 2007. During his 12-month deployment, Palin’s unit will provide protection to reconstruction teams participating in the rebuilding of the country, according to Major Chris Hyde, the public affairs officer for the brigade.
Hyde, who called Track Palin “a low profile individual,” said he had not heard any securty concerns about having the son of a prominent political figure in the brigade.
“The decision to put him in that role was made before Gov. Palin was picked by McCain,” he said. “If anything comes down from headquarters we will comply, but I wouldn't even want to speculate. I wouldn’t say yes or no. That’s just my opinion. We will do well with Track Palin whether he's there or he's not.”
From CNN Politics
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" Palin said victory in Iraq is “within sight.” " - Enough said.
" You will be there to win. You will see victory. " - Didn't know War was a game.
She and McCain talk and act like George Bush.
If Sarah Palin is a small town Mayor, why not go to other cities and get a mayor who knows what this country need. After watching her on TV tonight, you can tell she knows NOTHING about what's happening in this Country. McCain might as well had pick a barber (they know more than what she knows).
god bless her son
No matter your political ideologies, it must be hard to watch a son go to war.
she's still reckless, clueless
Good luck to her son.
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This real American woman and a real American hero will win the White House in November!!! All of these bloggers who posted on other stories and the FORMER Senator from Rhode Island should be ashamed. THEY are the crazy whackos, not Palin. The Clintons are about as liberal as this country will elect, and the crazies of the Democratic Party gave them the shaft!!! McCain-Palin in 08!!!!
It is very shameful, that Palin is using this deployment for political gains. She is not the only mum to send a kid to Iraq. There are more than 4000 parents who have sent and lost their love ones without this publicity. Just as John McCain is abusing his POW status so is Palin following suit. Birds of the same feathers. War mongers.
Enough is Enough
As a parent I'm sure that this must have been a hard thing for her to do. God bless all our troops and bring them home safe and soon.
May God bless and protect Track Palin and all those who serve our country as well.
OBAMA/BIDEN
plans from GOD huh palin?!!!!!! you are crazy to say its GOD plan for wars you are not the person were looking for i am voting for Obama now thank you for changing my thoughts about you.
Senator Biden's son is also going to Iraq, but all we hear about is Palin's son. I'm really getting tired of the bias.
I find it increasingly frightening that Sarah Palin is continuing to support a fallacy, even denounced by the Bush administration, linking 9/11 to Iraq in part of her speech. This woman has no shame for those that perished on this day and in war that was fought on lies.
As a military retiree I am offended. If this is not a move for political gain, then I am the pope. Very sad. John, I once respected you.
I hate the fact that she is parading her son around to win votes
sara it is easy to say victory when you have no clue what you are talking about.
Today she said in her interview: "I'm so proud of my son's strong & independent decision"
What about your daugter's right to decide? & other people's daughters?
And she thinks the war is god's plan? umm.... sure... if George Bush is your god!
Provocative and dangerous. Turn away!
Nice photo op for the pitbull with the lipstick. I wish her son a safe journey toIraq and wish his mother a safe trip back to Alaska where she belongs. She doe not belong as VP
Does anyone remember what happened to Prince Harry when it was revealed that he was going to Afghanistan? The threat to his own and the troops he served were instantly at risk, beyond the normal risk. They ended up pulling him out.
Is it wise to let the world know that her son, possibly the son of our nation's VP (shutter the thought), will be in Iraq?
There is no victory in Iraq. How do you fight a concept enemy like "terror?"
McCain can tout victory all he likes, as can Palin, but withdrawing (maybe) 8,000 troops while sending more in is hardly a victory.
She also believes we have every right to invade a sovereign nation and attack in search of terrorists. So I guess some other country who feels threatened can do the same to us? Just more of the same. We must not be fooled by the lipstick and the high heels, and the POW stories. These two will do nothing to help the economy, but they will help big oil (Palin is married to an oil man) and themselves. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
this woman didnt even know what the bush doctrine was until charles gibson had to explain it to her,this woman is so unqualified,it appears to me the bush people has gotten inside her head real good
True American Hero.
As opposed to Obama, true world hero.
Ms. Palin please stay in Alaska.
So Many were deployed so Few were celebrated ,, great PR Palin
Obama / Biden 08