Cheney pays a visit to Vicenza (Photo Op with 173rd Airborne)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=20100

Vice President Dick Cheney conducted a swing through American military communities in northern Italy on Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking member of the U.S. government to visit soldiers at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza in the process.

Cheney was warmly greeted at a packed base gymnasium.

“I’m wearing this jacket today, because the general said he’d kick my butt if I didn’t,” Cheney told the crowd, explaining the Army windbreaker he was wearing.

<snip>

One of the most welcome surprises he brought with him was news that the Vicenza-based 173rd Airborne Brigade’s jump into Iraq on March 26 has been certified as a combat jump. As a result, all will be able to add a gold star to their airborne wings.

About 1,000 members of the brigade parachuted into northern Iraq to form a second front in the country days after the U.S.-led assault had begun in the south.

The vice president also helped re-enlist four soldiers and pinned Purple Hearts on two more.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Hey, he stole *'s Thanksgiving outfit... did he bring any turkeys

with him, other than Lynne, that is?