Mexican troops cross into U.S. for hurricane relief

[thinkfast®]

LAREDO, Texas (AP) -- A Mexican army convoy began crossing into the United States on Thursday to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Carrying water treatment plants and mobile kitchens that can feed 7,000 people daily, the convoy bound for San Antonio is the first Mexican military unit to operate on U.S. soil since 1846.

The first green tractor-trailers, with Mexican flags attached to the tops of their cabs, crossed the international bridge at Laredo at about 8:15 a.m.

The rest of the 45-vehicle convoy was in a staging area on the U.S. side in about 15 minutes.

The convoy will be escorted by the U.S. Army and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

It was scheduled to leave after the leader of the convoy, Gen. Francisco Ortiz Valadez, greeted the head of the U.S. Army unit in charge of the escort, Brig. Gen. F. Joseph Prasek.

Military engineers, doctors and nurses are among the 200 people headed to San Antonio.

The Mexican government was already planning another 12-vehicle aid convoy for this week.

It has sent a Mexican navy ship toward the Mississippi coast with rescue vehicles and helicopters.

Mexico has sent disaster relief aid missions to other Latin American nations, but not to the United States.

In 1846, Mexican troops briefly advanced just north of the Rio Grande in Texas, which had then recently joined the United States.

Mexico, however, did not then recognize the Rio Grande as the U.S. border.

The two countries quickly became mired in the Mexican-American War, which led to the loss of half of Mexico's territory in 1848.

It's great to see other countries pull together to help in a time like this.

[civic95]

It's great to see other countries pull together to help in a time like this.

Yes it is, but beleive me they can use this as a great learning experience for their benifit as well.

[Jaimecbr900]

That's nice to see. About time other countries helped us for a change. Props to them for taking the initiative.

Now watch.....when Mexico gets all the positive publicity....other countries will finally come too. Watch and see.

[Scrappy]

i know germany is helping and now mexico... we are getting love

[thinkfast®]

I always give love to the homeys!!!

sorry, I watched Training Day again last night LOL

[boosted1jz]

i can see it now......



mexico wants their army back says president of mexico..... none of our troops want to come back PLEASE COME BACK

lol

[thinkfast®]

:jerkit:

[HEATON]

That's nice to see. About time other countries helped us for a change. Props to them for taking the initiative.

Now watch.....when Mexico gets all the positive publicity....other countries will finally come too. Watch and see.

MANY other countries are helping or ATLEAST offering, before this was happening. This is from CNN 4 days ago. CNN
ANd like Scrappy said I KNOW for sure Germany is doing ALOT, they are gonn be one of the major suppliers of pumps to get the water out, along with shitloads of MREs.

[RandomGuy]

i love mexicans man... just for this im going to go to taco bell and stimulate the mexican economy.

LOL JP... but mexicans own

[Maverick]

its the least they could do since, 50% of their population is living in Norcross

[HEATON]

Hate to say it, but i wonder how many of them will try and stay in the US? I know we had a small amount of guys here that were part of the German relief Corporation that couldnt go bc they're mpassports werent up to date, and would be illegal in the states. It sounds harsh, but it has to be that way. Think its a worry for the Mexican Army? Or are they too loyal to Mexico, since they are in the army..

[thinkfast®]

yea they are loyal to the army, I'd say more so to the country of Mexico, Presidente Fox is no joke. He's doing a hell of a job cleaning up the mess that was left w/ the last president.. As for them trying to escape, you gringos have nothing to worry about- these guys as well as any foreign aids are being escorted by US Armed Forces, so they aren't going anywhere.