Foreign Invasion?

Visiting military officers learn about grape farming

Foreign military officers participating in the U.S. Army War College study program pose on a grape picking machine at the Rick and Michael Manzella vineyard in Portland. Rick Manzella is on the left and Michael Manzella is shown on the right with his dog, Rogue.

PORTLAND - Military representatives from 42 foreign countries who are currently taking part in the U.S. Army War College's study program paid a recent visit to this area to learn about grape farming operations.

The goal of this visit was to provide the participants with an understanding of U.S. economy and a free market society.

The topics covered economic issues such as land and tax system reform, private enterprise and initiative, spurring balanced trade, independent management and labor negotiations, factors affecting industry and agriculture production and the role of environmental protection.

The visitors met with National Grape Cooperative representatives in Westfield, toured the Cliffstar plant in Dunkirk and saw a grape farm in action at the Portland vineyards owned and operated by Rick and Michael Manzella.

Each year, Chief of Army Staff General George W. Casey Jr. invites his counterpart in foreign countries to send a qualified officer to take part in the one-year Masters of Strategic Studies program at the U.S. Army War College at the Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania.

These officers focus on three major components including an opportunity to study, research and write on subjects of significance to security.

The Department of Defense mandates that each officer be exposed to a variety of culture programs through a broad balance to the U.S. government, economy, military, private institutions and the American way of life.

Finally, and perhaps most important, the interpersonal aspect of the program are the contacts with and the establishment of mutual understanding and good, working relationships with their fellow officers and the U.S. officers.

This year's class is scheduled to graduate in June 2009.