Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder made a surprise trip to visit troops overseas, the Associated Press reported. Snyder is with several governors traveling to see how military personnel are living and working. Snyder's trip, which was organized through the Department of Defense, was unannounced. The group, which began its trip Monday, visited Kuwait and Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington before going to Afghanistan today.
Here are some of the details emerging from the trip.
* Snyder sat down for a video interview and conference call with Michigan reporters that was broadcast by the Department of Defense's public affairs division to discuss what he had seen and where the group would be traveling next.
* Snyder indicated he met with a unit of the Michigan branch of the National Guard in Kuwait.
* He indicated he is slated to meet with one of Michigan's larger National Guard units on Thursday before leaving Afghanistan and going to Germany.
* The Detroit News reported Snyder has promised there will be a dedicated component of the planned Michigan jobs website, MItalent.org, that will be catered specifically to assisting military personnel in finding a job when they return to the state.
* He was quick to praise Michigan's troops and the military in general, complimenting the troops on their level of morale. He said the trip was his chance to thank them for their service.
* Governors routinely are offered the chance to go on such trips as part of an initiative by the Department of Defense. The initiative allows governors to visit troops and observe the way military operations are being conducted first-hand.
* Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm took advantage of the option, spending Thanksgiving 2005 in Iraq and Kuwait, according to the Detroit Free Press.
* Snyder is traveling with South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard and Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee. He is scheduled to return to Michigan on Friday.
Vanessa Evans is a musician and freelance writer based in Michigan, with a lifelong interest in politics and public issues.
