Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, presents Tech. Sgt. Phoebus Lazaridis, 8th Air Support Operations Squadron, with the Bronze Star medal for his actions while deployed to Afghanistan during her visit to Aviano Air Base Feb. 14. Speaker Pelosi and the eight U.S. Representatives with her are visiting Italian leadership and meeting with service members stationed in Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Patrick Hyde)
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, talks with Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, as they walk toward the Army's Personnel Alert Holding Area at Aviano Air Base Feb. 14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Patrick Hyde)
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke to an audience of Aviano Airmen Feb. 14 about the importance of their military service and how much she and other Americans appreciate and value what the U.S. military does and represents. The visit to Aviano Air Base is the first stop for Speaker Pelosi and the eight U.S. Representatives with her who are visiting Italian leadership and meeting with service members stationed in Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Patrick Hyde)
U.S. Congressman George Miller, 7th District, Calif., talks with Aviano Air Base Airmen Feb. 14 following a Bronze Star medal presentation by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Congressman Miller is one of eight U.S. Representatives accompanying Speaker Pelosi during her visit to Italy to meet with Italian leadership and military service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor)
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, takes a photo with Col. Filippo Zampella, commander of the Italian Air Force, "Pagliano e Gori" Airport, and his wife Antonietta during her visit to Aviano Air Base Feb. 14. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Patrick Hyde)
Airmen from the 724th Air Mobility Squadron team up to catch, park, deplane and service an aircraft Feb. 14 at Aviano Air Base. The aircraft is carrying Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and eight U.S. Representatives. This is the first stop on their visit to Italy to meet with Italian leadership and military service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor)
Airman 1st Class Dejamison Norman, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron, prepares to refuel an aircraft at Aviano Air Base Feb. 14. The aircraft is carrying Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and eight U.S. Representatives. This is the first stop on their visit to Italy to meet with Italian leadership and military service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor)
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, (front row center with maroon coat), and eight fellow U.S. Representatives take a group photo with Italian and U.S. mililtary leadership from Aviano Air Base following the completion of their visit to the base Feb. 14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Patrick Hyde)
by 2nd Lt. Brian Wagner
31st Fighter Wing public affairs
2/14/2009 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The U.S. and Italian commanders here welcomed a U.S. Congressional delegation led by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Aviano Air Base Feb. 14, the first stop of their visit to Italy.
The delegation was greeted by Col. Filippo Zampella, commander of the Italian Air Force, "Pagliano e Gori" Airport, and Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander.
During their visit, Speaker Pelosi presented Tech. Sgt. Phoebus Lazaridis, 8th Air Support Operations Squadron, with the Bronze Star medal for his actions while deployed to Jalabad Airfield, Afghanistan from Dec. 2007 to August 2008 as tactical air control party. They also received a briefing from base leadership and a walk-around tour of an F-16 Fighting Falcon.
"I know I speak for my colleagues when we say nothing is a greater source of pride, nothing can surpass the privilege we have this morning, then to come and thank you and recognize what you all do -- to protect our country and keep our people safe," said Speaker Pelosi. "We thank you for your service, your sacrifice, your courage, and your patriotism."
Speaker Pelosi passed on a message from President Barack Obama thanking Aviano airmen for their hard work, dedication, and service to country.
Accompanying Speaker Nancy Pelosi are U.S. Representatives John Larson, D-Conn., George Miller, D-Calif., Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., William Pascrell, Jr., D-N.J., Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., Edward Markey, D-Mass., Michael Capuano, D-Mass. Also in attendance was the U.S. House of Representatives Sergeant of Arms Wilson Livingood.
Following their stop at Aviano, the delegation will be visiting various locations around Italy to meet with Italian leadership and meet with other service members stationed here.
