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Palin speaks at son's Iraq deployment ceremony

by Rebecca Palsha
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- Over the next month more than 4,000 soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division will leave for Iraq.

At their deployment ceremony Thursday, the mother of one of the soldiers bid them goodbye as she continues to gain national attention.

Gov. Sarah Palin, the vice presidential candidate spoke at her son's deployment ceremony Thursday, at Fort Wainwright.

In the sea of faces there were fathers, and husbands.

"I am honored. My husband is doing this nation a tremendous service and I'm honored to be just a part of it," said one military wife.

And there are sons, which is where Gov. Sarah Palin comes in.

"Every soldier who leaves us today, it is a choice that defines you and always will. Wherever you go in your time of service and beyond it will always be to your credit that you wore the uniform of the United States of America," said Palin in her speech to the soldiers.

One of the members in uniform was Palin's son Track. His battalion is the Grey Wolves in which they are leaving for Iraq during the next month.

"As you depart, don't mind us: your parents, your friends, and your family. And if we allow for a few tears or if we hold you just a little closer once more before you are gone, because we are going to miss you. We can't help it. This is one of the moments when we have to face the fact that you may not need our protection anymore. In fact, you're the ones who will now be protecting us," said Palin.

More than 4,000 soldiers will be gone for about a year. Palin put the national spotlight on their deployment.

"I think it might put a little more face on it but I feel that in the past few years what we've done as a nation, I think people are aware of the sacrifice our troops are making," said one person at the deployment ceremony.

Now that Palin is running for the second highest office in the country, the country is learning more about Alaska.

"People know that we are up here and our soldiers are being deployed, and there are families up here. People think there isn't much in Alaska," said another military wife.

The military says Palin's son Track being overseas will not cause any undue harm or stress to any of his fellow soldiers.

Private First Class Track Palin's mission while he is over there will be to protect his commander.

Contact Rebecca Palsha at rpalsha@ktuu.com