Gov. Douglas visits troops, raises Vermont battle flag

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –  Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas  met with Soldiers from Vermont currently deployed to Afghanistan and raised the Vermont battle flag at Task Force Wolverine, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) headquarters here July 24.  

Douglas, along with four other state governors, visited Bagram as part of a Department of Defense sponsored governors’ delegation tour to visit deployed Soldiers from their home states and receive briefings about the Coalition Forces’ mission in Afghanistan.

Douglas arrived at Bagram Airfield late Friday afternoon, where he visited and talked with Soldiers during dinner, thanking them for their service and dedication to their state.

Douglas said that Vermont loves the “Green Mountain Boys” and that the Soldiers should be proud of all they have done.

“Vermont has your back,” said Douglas.

The following morning, Douglas raised the Vermont battle flag and assisted with the raising of the United States and Afghan flags.

“To the best of my knowledge, Gov. Douglas is the first sitting governor to raise the Vermont battle flag in an active war zone,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dwight D. Harrington, brigade historian for the 86th IBCT (Mtn). “In a war zone, it is an honor for a Soldier to raise a flag. It was a double honor to have the governor assist us today.”

After raising the flag, Douglas joined the TF Wolverine Soldiers for breakfast, and encouraged the troops to keep up the good work and to let families back home know that they are doing alright.

Douglas visited Bagram as part of a multiple country tour, including Kuwait and Iraq. Before leaving for his tour, Douglas visited Vermont National Guard Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington who were injured in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan July 2.