US Iraq commander visits Ft. Benning

Petraeus and vets at wreath-laying ceremony.
(Dave Bender)

On a visit to Ft. Benning Friday afternoon, senior US Army commander in Iraq, Lt.-Gen. David Petraeus, paid tribute to the 555th "Triple Nickels" Battalion, at the unit's 65^th anniversary.

The 555th was the army's first all-African-American paratroop infantry unit.

Speaking before the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, Petraeus told GPB News that the unit helped further the goals of blacks in America:

“They've inspired generations of Americans; they stood in the door for their race, they broke down barriers, they made opportunities possible for future generations, and my admiration for them is flat-out enormous.”

After addressing the some 100 of the unit's vets and family, Petraeus laid a wreath at the unit's pedestal at the Paratroopers Walk.

Earlier, four paratroopers, trailing red smoke, para-glided down from a helicopter hovering above the crowd. The veterans cheered, "Hoo-ah," and applauded as each of the paratroopers touched down alongside the ceremony area.

Smoke jumpers landing next to Paratrooper's Walk.
Training jump towers are visible in background.
(Dave Bender)

Petraeus visited the Fryar Drop Zone to watch his son, Stephen, make his fifth and final jump as he graduates from Airborne School.

"I'd like to introduce our latest Airborne trooper," Petraeus said as his son, a 20-year-old member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Army ROTC program, beamed.

Petraeus and son, Stephen. (Dave Bender)

Stephen Petraeus said he's looking forward to his father's much-anticipated appearance before Congress on Monday.

"My dad is a jumpmaster and a master parachutist," he said. "I hardly think he's nervous about giving a speech."

Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington noted that Petraeus' address to vets did not mention recent events in Iraq, or his coming testimony on troop withdrawals from Iraq before Congress:

“I don't know why he didn't mention it today, but I'm sure that's on his mind, that's he's going to be answering a lot of questions in the next week or so."

(With the Associated Press)