Publication:Chattanooga Times Free Press
Date:Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Section: Front Page Page:1

DISPATCH Iraq

Swapping Tennessee Tales

By Edward Lee Pitts Military Affairs

CAMP CALDWELL, Iraq — A four-star general from Tennessee traded stories about the Volunteer State on Sunday with soldiers wearing the three stars of the 278th Regimental Combat Team.

Oak Ridge, Tenn., native Gen. Burwell "BB" Bell, the commander of U.S.

Army forces in Europe, took time out of a four-day Iraq tour and dropped in Sunday on the Te nnessee-based 278 th, whose "three rivers" unit patch includes three stars designating the grand divisions of the Volunteer State. Gen. Bell, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate, spent about two hours at each of the 278th’s three main bases in the Eastern Diyala province of Iraq near the Iranian border.

While the general’s previous stops in Iraq involved military planning for future deployments here of his Germany-based U.S. troops, his time with the 278th involved more talk of home than war.

"I wanted to see a few people from Hometown, U.S.A.," Gen. Bell, 58, said. "This was a selfserving, fun day for me."

Gen. Bell, who now lives in Heidelberg, Germany, and the men and women he met talked casually of Tennessee like homesick soldiers.

Troops of all ranks debated with Gen. Bell on Tennessee themes such as their favorite hardware stores, must-see state landmarks, the best fishing spots and the merits of certain truck makers.

"He’s a Chevy man, and I am a Ford man," said Staff Sgt. Tony Bruslio, 30, of Kingsport, Tenn. Gen. Bell began Sunday morning with 2nd Squadron soldiers at Forward Operating Base Bernstein and later ate lunch with soldiers from the regiment’s 3rd Squadron out of Forward Operating Base Cobra.

Before his day ended, Gen. Bell had shaken countless hands and presented soldiers with about 500 golden coins, a symbol of recognition in the Army.

During his last stop at Camp Caldwell, Gen. Bell quickly ordered nearly 50 gathered troops at ease after the soldiers snapped to attention when he strode into the mess hall. Gen. Bell went right to the first table and asked every soldier’s name and where everyone was from in Tennessee.

As he worked the crowd, Gen. Bell seemed to have a story to share about every soldier’s hometown.

"I am a police officer in the town where he grew up," said Spc. Robert Woody, 23, of Oak Ridge. "He said he doesn’t have any outstanding warrants."

Sgt. William Newman learned how Gen. Bell once dated a girl from Henderson, Tenn., which is where Sgt. Newman lives.

"We got his love life to his jail life," Sgt. Newman said. "He’s been from one end of the state to the next."

Capt. Mark Smeltzer, a Chattanooga police officer, said he gave Gen. Bell one free speeding pass on the interstate.

"He is easing people’s minds by talking about what they do back home and what their plans are when they get back," Capt. Smeltzer said.

Those from Texas-based 386th Engineer Battalion who are attached to the 278th did not escape Gen. Bell’s teasing.

"We got our reputation when y’all screamed for help, and we sent 50 guys to bail you out," Gen. Bell said, referring to the volunteer soldiers, including former Congressman Davy Crockett, who fought for Texas against the Mexicans at the Alamo.

Gen. Bell told the soldiers he has been tracking the regiment, especially its work training the Iraqi army, a job that thousands of his men will take over in Iraq sometime this fall.

The general said Army leaders in Baghdad have "singled out to me privately (that) the 278th is doing a terrific job."

According to Gen. Bell, those praising the regiment include Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who is commander of the 1st Infantry Division, a part of the Army’s European forces under Gen. Bell’s leadership.

Before the 42nd Infantry Division took over in mid-February, the 278th spent its first months here serving with the 1st Infantry Division, known as the Big Red One.

"You don’t have to worry about the active Army having respect for the National Guard," Gen. Bell said.

He said he set aside an extra day here to thank the soldiers for their service.

"You are an example of the very best of America," Gen. Bell said.

He said the citizen-soldier concept of the National Guard best fits with the current role of training Iraqi citizens to become police officers, soldiers and political leaders.

"They have skills beyond the military," Gen. Bell said of the typical 278 th soldier. "They are here in Iraq, and they’ve got all the skills the Iraqi people need." Gen. Bell told the troops they are upholding the tradition of a powerful reserve component in the Army that has preserved the country for more than 200 years.

"Our nation is made up of people, not armies, not governments, not businesses," he said. "A volunteer is the greatest tradition in the state of Tennessee … as long as we are willing to do that, we are going to be fine."

E-mail Lee Pitts at lpitts@timesfreepress.com

U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika - Gen. Burwell "BB" Bell talks with soldiers of the 278 th Regimental Combat Team at the chow hall at Camp Caldwell, Iraq.

U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Alan Mingledorff - Gen. Burwell "BB" Bell talks to Capt. Mark Smeltzer, a member of 2 nd Squadron, 278 th Regimental Combat Team and a police officer from Chattanooga, at the Camp Caldwell dining facility.

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