Senator invites Dover reservist to Washington

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bernie Kale
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del --  U.S. Senator to Delaware Chris Coons welcomed 512th Airlift Wing intelligence officer, Maj. David Strawbridge, to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Wednesday, where they heard the President of Afghanistan speak to Congress and their guests.

Coons and Strawbridge met in January of 2013 in Afghanistan and have maintained communication since that time.

"I was on a mission on the way to a forward operating base but first stopped by the coalition headquarters in Kabul," Strawbridge said. "I saw Sen. Coons was there during a Congressional Delegate visit, so I walked up and introduced myself."

Although they only had a few minutes to chat, Sen. Coons left a package of tastykakes with a thank you note, Strawbridge said.

A year after that encounter, Coons pinned the Bronze Star on Strawbridge during a ceremony in Wilmington, Del., for his efforts during his Afghanistan deployment.

It seemed only appropriate for Coons to invite him to sit in on Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's speech to the U.S. Senate and House representatives, Strawbridge said.

"The speech was well delivered, sincere, compassionate and thankful," Strawbridge said. "I feel President Ghani was genuine in his appreciation for all the U.S. Service member's sacrifices while protecting Afghanistan's new democracy.

Strawbridge was also given a tour of Coons' office and had the opportunity to walk with the senator to the House Chamber.

"We were able to talk about his upcoming trips, his schedule and even our families," Strawbridge said. "It was an incredible opportunity to represent the 512th Airlift Wing in our Nation's Capital."