Dec 17, 2003 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

An area congressman will lead a delegation in a visit to Kosovo later this week where U.S. Army National Guard members from the state are taking part in a NATO peacekeeping mission. U.S. Rep Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, said Tuesday that the four-day trip would allow for the delegation to assess the ongoing military presence and troop morale.

“It’s extremely important for me to learn first hand what’s going on on the ground there,” he said. “It is especially important with our National Guard and reservists as they take a greater role around the world.

“We also want to let them know that there is great support for them here at home and from the United States Congress.”

Shuster said the participation by the state’s National Guard in a peacekeeping role has been successful as the local governing body in Kosovo continues to assume more responsibility.

“Our presence there is to help turn it over to civilian control and we are making progress,” said Shuster, adding that the number of soldiers in Kosovo have been decreased since NATO entered the former Yugoslavia in 1999.

According to statistics provided by the Pennsylvania’s 28th Division, approximately 1,100 National Guard members are now serving a yearlong tour of duty in the Balkan region with Pennsylvania overseeing the command of multinational NATO forces. Locally, the 1/110th National Guard unit based in Waynesburg has 90 members serving in Kosovo.

Shuster said past trips, made by he and other congressional members to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba have resulted in legislative action to increase salary and health benefits to those serving in the armed services, including the National Guard.

“They are being shot at as the regular Army, so we have to make sure the benefits and the pay is better than it has been,” he said. “They are (also) putting their lives on the line.”

Several Pennsylvania-based National Guard units are now being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to relieve active military units.

Shuster said National Guard members and reservists have requested he visit the region for a first-hand look at the operation.

Also, he said, a visit to the two military bases at Monteith and Bondsteel would give him an opportunity to assure the soldiers they have not been forgotten as the world focuses on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The unfolding weekend events in connection with the capture of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been a boost for all military personnel serving overseas, speculated Shuster, and could translate into the Saddam loyalists laying down their weapons.

“When the leader of that country gives up without a fight, the Baathists risking their lives have to question whether they are going to continue the fighting,” he said.

As to the fate of the deposed leader, Shuster said he anticipates that the Iraqi citizens would try and then execute Saddam.

“They should; he is a mass murderer, tyrant and one of the most brutal men in the history of the world,” said Shuster.

While he is concerned for the safety of those U.S. forces on the Iraqi battlefield, Shuster said he has the same interest in those maintaining the peace in Kosovo.

“We want them to know what is going on in Kosovo is being heard in the U.S. Congress,” said Shuster.

In addition to Shuster, U.S. representatives Philip English, R-Erie; Timothy Holden, D-Pottstown; and James Gerlach, R-Trappe, a community in Chester County, will travel to Germany to visit with wounded soldiers recuperating from their injuries and then continue on to Kosovo via a military flight.

Shuster said he is willing to deliver letters to the soldiers in Kosovo provided they are received at his Hollidaysburg office by 5 p.m. today.

For more information, call 800-854-3035.