Buchanan to join group on trip to Afghanistan

Six members of Congress will be going to Afghanistan soon to see the troops, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's office said Tuesday.

Buchanan will be part of the bipartisan group, his office said. Buchanan and other members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee will join members of the House Armed Services Committee to visit the troops and meet with military officials.

"I am anxious to talk with the troops, gauge morale and listen to their concerns," Buchanan said. "I want to be sure they are getting the training, equipment and support they need to do their jobs."

The congressman discussed the trip Tuesday with members of his veterans' advisory committee, including retired Brig. Gen. Jerry Neff, Don Courtney and Matt Bruce of Bradenton; Sarasota County Veterans Commission members Rich Swier and Andy Hooker; Florida Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) legislative chair and national legislative committee member Lee Kichen and Harlan Twible of Sarasota; and Norm MacLellan and Don O'Nesky of Venice.

This is Buchanan's second trip to Afghanistan. He went to Iraq and Afghanistan in April 2007.