Sen. Jim Inhofe Visits Oklahoma Troops in Afghanistan

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, visited Oklahoma members of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan over the weekend to wish them a happy new year. He took letters from students of Grove Valley Elementary in Edmond.

“It is an honor to spend New Year’s with our troops in Afghanistan again this year,” said Inhofe.

“Our men and women in uniform and their families sacrifice so much to protect our nation and defend our freedoms. The Christmas and New Year’s times are especially difficult times to be deployed.

“The members of Oklahoma’s 45th IBCT have been doing a great job securing and clearing a very difficult area of Afghanistan, and I look forward to seeing our brave Oklahomans once again while getting an update on the ground.”

Grove Valley Elementary school principal Debbie Straughn said, “Grove Valley Elementary was honored to design cards for the men and women who sacrifice so much for all of us in the United States.

“At a recent assembly I talked to the children about making cards for troops overseas. I explained to them that these men and women wouldn’t be able to be with their families during the holidays. It would be a difficult Christmas without loved ones. Therefore, as a school we could brighten their holidays by sending them some cheer from students in Edmond, Oklahoma. Children were very excited about the project. They skyped with Senator Inhofe two years ago when I testified before an EPW committee hearing in Washington. The children remember Senator Inhofe and wanted to help him deliver good tidings from Oklahoma children who wish our troops well!”