By Jeff Barnard
Associated Press Writer
 
November 10, 2009
 
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Gov. Ted Kulongoski has made another surprise trip to Iraq to visit Oregon National Guard troops.
 
Speaking from Baghdad, where he was attending a barbecue with soldiers, the governor said Tuesday he was making good on a promise to visit before the holidays when he sent troops off for their latest deployment.
 
The governor says morale is high, and he has been talking with troops about efforts to ease their return to daily life after their time in Iraq is over.
 
Kulongoski adds the Iraqis he has spoken with seem very positive about the future, and that when he flew over Baghdad at night in a helicopter it looked much like any other city.