OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) -- Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon will travel to Europe next week with House Speaker Paul Ryan. Their trip is a political mission to improve U.S. relations with European allies after an outbreak of global terrorism. Bacon, of course, is a former air force general. Wednesday evening he held a town hall meeting for metro veterans.
“We have to go after ISIS because they want to kill us. They're going to target us,” Bacon told the crowd.
The small group of veterans listened intently as freshman Congressman Don Bacon spoke about terrorism --- and the recent airstrike on Syria. Bacon said he supports the strike but, for now, does not support further action against the Syrian government -- especially the use of ground troops.
“I just think we need a clear strategy. I have not seen a clear strategy that makes sense,” Bacon said.
Bacon will travel to the United Kingdom which is still reeling from last month's deadly terror attack in London.
“The mission of that is to give reassurance to our allies that we're going to be a good ally,” he said.
Bacon's trip will be led by House Speaker Paul Ryan. Ryan could be considered one of Bacon's allies. He came to Omaha last year to help energize Bacon's election campaign.
“He contacted me about a month ago and said 'hey, you're a 30 year Air Force general, NATO experience, would you like to come along on this codel?’ And I was like ‘sure, I'd love to. It sounds interesting.”
The trip is called a “codel” – short for “Congressional Delegation.” Bacon, Ryan, and six other house members will travel to four different NATO countries. The goal is to show NATO the U.S. has its back.
“I think they’re a vital alliance. And the reason is we serve with them all over the world right now. They've proven themselves serving with us in the Middle East,” Congressman Bacon said.
Bacon also answered questions from veterans, including several about their healthcare and struggles with the VA Health System. Bacon assured those vets he would take their problems directly to the head of the VA in Washington.
Bacon will kick off a series of town hall meetings later this month. He will hold a meeting at Gretna High at 9 a.m. on April 29th and at Millard West High 10:30 a.m. on the April 29th. Bacon also said he will hold town halls in Bennington, Elkhorn, North Omaha, Papillion & South Omaha in the coming months.
He and other members of congress have faced criticism for hot holding meeting earlier in the year.