Patty's Travel Blog - China

Statement

Day One - January 11, 2010

We arrived at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska from Washington D.C. at about 2 PM on Sunday. We were met by Lieutenant General Dana Atkins, Commander of the Alaskan Touring the Port of AnchorageCommand, and his wife Laura who hosted a briefing on Elmendorf and its importance to the region and nation. I was really pleased to hear their Wounded Warriors Unit was up and running well and that they were making strong preparations for their returning Stryker Brigade members.

Alaska Senator Mark Begich then joined us and we met with officials from the Port of Anchorage and were briefed on port operations. Several business and community leaders discussed their busy port activities and its position as a major hub between Asia, the lower 48 states and Europe. We toured the Port in the bitter cold but it was certainly worth getting an in-depth look at this critical trade link with China and all of Asia.

Lt. General Atkins hosted our delegation for dinner in his home on the base. It is actually the same home that President Nixon hosted the first meeting with Japanese Emperor Hirohito after WWII. We had a lively conversation ranging from the need for icebreakers for our Coast Guard, to options to open the Northwest Passage for Commerce, to the capabilities of Elmendorf Air Force Base, to where the best place to fish is. And we were entertained by a group of Airmen who sing for the community. They each had served all over the world in various capacities for the Air Force. They were a great reminder for us of the great talent in our services!

Headed tomorrow to Beijing!

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