Thread: GOOD NEWS form the Border

By FRANCES KUO / WCNC
E-mail Frances: fkuo@WCNC.com

Video On Demand
Watch this story

NEW video at this hour
FORT MILL, S.C. – It's the first mission of its kind for some local Army National Guard soldiers. Dozens of guardsmen from Fort Mill and Rock Hill recently returned from helping the federal government's latest move to fight illegal immigration: building a fence along Arizona's border with Mexico.

It's a mission far from the battle lines to which the soldiers are accustomed.

"It's quite a change of pace from our usual annual training," said Staff Sgt. James Morris of the 178th Engineer Battalion based in Fort Mill.

For months, the U.S. government has been building a fence along the U.S./Mexico border to fight illegal immigrants and drug trafficking.

Recently, the government looked to guardsmen from Fort Mill and Rock Hill for help.

"It's actually deterred the drug trafficking and so forth tremendously throughout the different areas," said Morris.

The soldiers spent three weeks in three border towns in Arizona, putting up 12-foot metal fences and 1,500-pound vehicle barriers.

The soldiers say the new additions have proved a welcome change for the locals.

"We felt a pretty good response from them, they were very receptive. We didn't have any problems. Everybody we met were very kind to the Guard and very supportive," said Morris.

Some challenges were similar to ones the soldiers faced on the front lines.

"The heat and the wind was a big part," said Morris. However, unlike some of their experiences on the battle lines, the results of this mission are clear.

"It definitely seems to make a large difference because if you can see maybe some of the areas that are just starting to build more of the project, you can tell a huge difference," said Morris.

The border fence is causing outrage among Mexicans and others. Some compare it to the Berlin Wall and are urging a fierce fight against it.


http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/sto ... b5b3c.html

It's actually deterred the drug trafficking and so forth tremendously throughout the different areas," said Morris.

It definitely seems to make a large difference because if you can see maybe some of the areas that are just starting to build more of the project, you can tell a huge difference," said Morris.

It does make an IMMEDIATE difference! Rep. Duncan Hunter said it would and now we have another example of an area that has stopped the drug trafficking and smuggling. The fence WORKS as a deterrent!

Thanks to all the guard that built this part of the fence. Let's build it all now!![quote]

Originally Posted by CCUSA

It's actually deterred the drug trafficking and so forth tremendously throughout the different areas," said Morris.

It definitely seems to make a large difference because if you can see maybe some of the areas that are just starting to build more of the project, you can tell a huge difference," said Morris.

It does make an IMMEDIATE difference! Rep. Duncan Hunter said it would and now we have another example of an area that has stopped the drug trafficking and smuggling. The fence WORKS as a deterrent!

Thanks to all the guard that built this part of the fence. Let's build it all now!![quote:3hwvd26b]

[/quote:3hwvd26b]

ASAP!!