Bush to Meet With National Guard Members (Fort Polk)

YahooNews ^

[Happy2BMe]

By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - After trying to quell stories about his Vietnam-era military record, President Bush (news - web sites) is seeking to move beyond it by meeting with National Guard members in Louisiana.

Bush was spending Tuesday at Fort Polk, La., giving a speech to thank troops there for their service and sacrifice, White House aides said. Two soldiers killed by a roadside bomb while on mounted patrol in Iraq (news - web sites) last week were assigned to Fort Polk.

In the address, Bush also was reminding troops about the stakes in the war on terrorism and in Iraq.

Fort Polk is home to a regiment due to return soon from a year of service in Iraq. The 4,000-strong 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Iraq since last March, is to return sometime in March or April. It is to be replaced by a brigade from the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a larger troop rotation announced earlier by the Pentagon (news - web sites).

After the speech, Bush was lunching with National Guard members at the base. Thousands of Guard troops have trained at Fort Polk in recent months.

The president's visit is bound to serve as a reminder of a story that consumed the White House last week: Bush's record of service in the Texas Air National Guard in the early 1970s.

At issue is whether he showed up for service in Alabama after receiving permission to serve there temporarily in 1972-1973. Bush says he recalls serving there, but there is scant documentation proving it.

Late Friday, the White House released hundreds of pages of documents it said comprised Bush's entire military record, but the records offered no definitive answers.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) has kept silent on the flap in recent days, but he used Bush's trip to Louisiana to criticize the president's treatment of the military.

"With Kerry, veterans will have a veteran in the White House who fights to make sure they get the benefits they deserve," Kerry said.

Kerry said Bush's policies had threatened to undermine troops' pay, health care and battlefield protection.

"John Kerry will keep America's promise to those who served their country bravely," the Democratic presidential front-runner said.

The base Bush was visiting houses the Army's Joint Readiness Training Center for training exercises with the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

Fort Polk is also home to a variety of units — the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment affiliated with the XVIII Airborne Corps, and the Warrior Brigade, which contains several units with early deploying wartime missions. Medical, dental and military police commands are also assigned to the post.

The Fort Polk has played a role in the war on terrorism by providing training for the Army's light infantry and special operations forces and by deploying troops to Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. Fort Polk soldiers also participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[Happy2BMe]

God bless our men and women on the front lines of freedom!

[Happy2BMe]

2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment ping!

[prairiebreeze]

After trying to quell stories about his Vietnam-era military record, President Bush (news - web sites) is seeking to move beyond it by meeting with National Guard members in Louisiana.

Scott Lindlaw Wanker Alert! ping

Prairie

[Russ]

Kerry criticized Bush's trip to Daytona. Now he criticizes his trip to Louisiana. I guess the president is expected to stay hidden in the White House and not campaign. The more I see and hear Kerry the more I have to label him a PUNK!

[beckysueb]

I hope this meeting will be televised and President Bush works his magic with the Gaurd soldiers like he usually does. This causes such patriotism in Americans but sadly, such hate in liberals.

[cripplecreek]

This is really starting to look like a carefully conceived plan to push the democrats further out on the edge.

[2banana]

Gawd, not FT Polk. One of the worst army bases in the middle of nowhere...

[fuzzthatwuz]

"the more I have to label him a PUNK!"

Perhaps an opportunistic, sociopathic, pampered, lying, phony, "PUNK" would be more descriptive. Ah, but I repeat myself!

[mystery-ak]

I hope they televise this....btw..Mike did Basic and AIT at Polk....what a hell-hole...I hope the Army has re-vamped it since we've been there.

[MJY1288]

The longer the Democrats and their water carriers (AKA the press) keep harping on this issue, the more people will see through John Kerry

[beckysueb]

"John Kerry will keep America's promise to those who served their country bravely," Like Bill Clinton did???

[deport]

....what a hell-hole...

---

Explain please?

[HankReardon]

Kerry said Bush should have been working on the economy instead of going to Daytona. Does Kerry really think President Bush does not have an economic team? Just what we need, another President who's so impressed with his smartitude he thinks he can do it all. Four more in 2004!

[mystery-ak]

Ft. Polk is a hell-hole or at least it was...if the US had an a$$ it would be Polk....I hope it's changed....just ask any one who has served there!

[beckysueb]

Notice the media simply cannot do a story on Bush without inserting that traitorous slob into it and trying to make him look better than Bush! And those comments coming from a leftist commie pinko like Kerry! Please!

[G L Tirebiter]

Ft. Polk is a hell-hole or at least it was...

The U.S. Army is not famed for it's real estate selections - with the exceptions of the old Coastal Artillery sites like Ft. Monroe and the Presidio - most Army base locales won't make any Top 10 Vacation Spot lists.

[CedarDave]

"With Kerry, veterans will have a veteran in the White House who fights to make sure they get the benefits they deserve," Kerry said. Kerry said Bush's policies had threatened to undermine troops' pay, health care and battlefield protection.

Bull! It was under Clinton and the RATS where cuts were made in programs and manpower such that our military needs were not met. Under President Bush, the military has received attention that is bringing it back to the fighting force needed to confront 21st century challenges.

[TADSLOS]

Fort Polk itself has undergone sweeping improvements in its facilities. It remains an isolated locale, however, and nearby Leesville, well..., it's still just Leesville.

[mystery-ak]

Glad to hear that about Polk....I remember Leesville....still hasn't changed, huh!

[anniegetyourgun]

All the more reason for the Prez to visit. It seems he cares about the forgotten in forsaken places.