Patrick In Afghanistan Amid War-Zone Trip

Gov. Deval Patrick was in Afghanistan Friday as part of his visits with Massachusetts troops stationed in the Middle East.

Patrick says he met with soldiers at Camp Phoenix and members of the regiment of Sgt. Robert Barrett, the Fall River native killed by a suicide bomber while training Afghan police in April.

"I have appreciated so much the opportunity to tell our own Massachusetts soldiers and airmen how much we appreciate what they are doing on our behalf and that we are thinking about them back home," Patrick said.

The governor also says he's particularly impressed by the difficult conditions the soldiers are working under, including wearing 80 pounds of gear under high-heat conditions.

"It's really taxing, it's very demanding, and they do it with a spirit and a commitment that is absolutely inspiring," he said.

Patrick and four other governors were briefed on the war effort by Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry.