El Paso, TX---

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke hosted a town hall meeting at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas with soldiers and their families after greeting military personnel that were returning from combat.

Bernanke greeted the returning soldiers right off the plane, shaking their hands in the early morning Bernanke's trip to Fort Bliss is his first visit to an Army installation and also the first time he's greeted soldiers returning from combat.

It was also his first visit to the state after GOP presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry said earlier this year Texans would treat him "ugly" if he continued lowering interest rates. Perry and other critics say that policy is akin to recklessly printing money. Another Texan seeking the presidency, U.S. Representative Ron Paul, favors abolishing the Federal Reserve.

Federal officials said the visit is part of outreach efforts by Bernanke but wouldn't say if it was planned before Perry's comments.