1 July 2005. Thanks to A.

Bush's Fort Bragg Address "Was Conducted as Directed...In the Silent Mode."

Today's (June 30, 2005) New York Times features an article by David E. Sanger, "Troops' Silence at Fort Bragg Starts a Debate All Its Own":

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/30/politics/30speech.html

In this article, Fort Bragg public affairs officer Captain Tom Earnhardt suggests that the silence of the troops during President Bush's June 28th speech may have been the result of "some guys" taking instructions not to turn the event into a pep rally "too far." This is a misrepresentation. Those in attendance were under direct orders to remain silent (with the exception of the on-cue applause). This fact is confirmed by the following forwarded e-mail message by XVIII Airborne Corps commander Major General Virgil Packett to his acting Chief of Staff, Colonel David Quantock (which was in turn further forwarded). MG Packett states, "The address was conducted as directed...in the silent mode."

___________________

From: Quantock, David COL
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 11:47 AM
To: Aycock, Al COL; Knight, Gary; Okita, Michael COL; Bush, Hans E. LTC; Battle, Jonathan MAJ; Caravalho, Joseph COL; Chambliss, John COL; Daknis, Steve LTC; Ellis, Jeffrey LTC; Larsen, Henry COL; Maul, Ronald A COL WAMC-Ft Bragg; Meredith, Paul COL; O'Hara, Thomas LTC; Schroeder, Michael LTC; Smith, Stanley LTC; Akin, George LTC; Alderson, Hugh; Brown, Tommie; Chase, Jonathan; Figueroa-seary, Jose MAJ; G2 Deputy (Mr. Felix); McAlister, Beverly; Rezendes, Mary MAJ
Cc: Ransom, Nancy; Peck, Tina; Allen, Marie; Smith, Linda
Subject: FW: closing report

All,

See below…this is the message that MG Packett sent to GEN McNeill and LTG Vines at the conclusion of the Presidential event last night…

On a personal note, I wanted to thank all of you for the tremendous team effort that went into pulling off a visit of that magnitude while also taking care of a Congressional delegation…everyone jumped in and worked extremely hard…and I never heard the words “I can’t do that”…it was always, “lets see how we can make it work…” All that team effort turned into exceptional mission accomplishment! Hopefully you can get a little break over the 4th and have a safe holiday!

ATW!

q

COL DAVID E. QUANTOCK
Acting Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps
Comm (910)396-3201/3621 DSN: 236-XXXX/XXXX

___________________

From: Packett, Virgil MG
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 9:56 AM
To: Quantock, David COL
Cc: Peck, Tina
Subject: closing report

Chief, pls send this closing report to our local commanders/staff. tnx, vlp

....here is the note sent last night..........

Sir, (President of the United States) POTUS is wheels up from Pope AFB, 2112 hrs. All went well.

POTUS visited with 33 Gold Star Families comprised of 97 family members. He spent over three hours with the families. Common theme throughout the visits from the families is that they are behind the president and his policies. Clear message to stay the course. One request for help to get US citizenship from an Australian wife. There was not a single complaint about support from the military or community. Lots of tears.

The CODEL was separate from the visit to the Gold Star Families and included Sen Burr, Congressmen Hayes and McIntyre. USASOC/Corps/Installation briefs, windshield tour and dinner at the O'club prior to attending the address.

The address was conducted as directed...in the silent mode. After the address the media questions were dominated with querries about why the military was so subdued. Told them this was not a pep rally, but a policy statement which demanded the dignity and respect in which it was delivered.

Will be at FORSCOM HQ tomorrow for the DCG's GOFITF.

The installation worked very well together to pull this off. vr, Duz