(The Center Square) – Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb landed in Kenya on Tuesday, and he will be meeting with soldiers from the Hoosier State as part of his trip to the African nation.
According to a release, the trip by Holcomb and his wife Janet will include a Thanksgiving dinner with members of the Indiana National Guard’s Airborne company at Camp Simba. The Seymour-based unit is participating in Mission Overview, a joint assignment between Indiana and Oklahoma National Guard forces. The mission is part of Operation Enduring Freedom, a counterterrorism campaign.
“They serve us at home in urgent times and far away when the orders arrive,” the Republican governor said. “So, this year, while you huddle up with friends and family and celebrate your own family traditions, remember many of our Guard families are separated from one another while defending our values and way of life. Meeting Hoosier Guardsmen stationed in Kenya and seeing their dedication to our state and country firsthand, I’m proudly reminded, our freedom is not free, and it’s their dedication that pays the cost in full.
Indeed, we have much to be thankful for.”
The Indiana National Guard is paying for the trip, according to the governor’s release. Indiana Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles is accompanying the Holcombs.
Holcomb’s stop comes just a few days after two Indiana Republican congressmen visited the National Guard unit during the Veterans Day weekend.
U.S. Reps. Jim Banks and Larry Bucshon returned from their visit to the Horn of Africa on Monday. They also met with soldiers stationed at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti.
Both members are veterans, and Banks also chairs the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee.
“It was an honor to visit our Hoosier heroes serving in Africa as part of Task Force Tomahawk to protect against growing threats from Al Qaeda-linked terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab,” Banks said.