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Bush: Servicemembers Depend on Families' Support
American Forces Press Service ^ | Oct 25, 2005 | Gerry Gilmore

Posted on 10/25/2005 4:44:33 PM PDT by SandRat

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2005 – U.S. troops serving in the war against terrorism "all rely on the love and support of their families," President Bush said at a gathering of military spouses at Bolling Air Force Base here today.

Military members are deployed worldwide defending "our freedom and our security in the first war of the 21st century," Bush said. American servicemembers are performing dangerous missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq "with skill and courage and compassion," Bush said.

All of America "is proud of the men and women who wear our uniform," Bush said, adding, "And so am I."

Bush also said that all servicemembers need the support of their mothers, fathers, husbands and wives. Family members send care packages and e-mails to deployed servicemembers and "provide the daily encouragement for our folks overseas," Bush said.

Bush acknowledged that today is a trying time for military spouses and noted that many have been apart from deployed loved ones. "Many of you have endured long separations from your husbands and wives," Bush said. "You miss them and worry about them, and all the while keep things running at home."

By standing behind their deployed husbands and wives, military spouses are serving as well, Bush said. The American people are grateful for "the strength and sacrifice of our military spouses -- and so am I," Bush said.

American servicemembers are sacrificing for their country, and military spouses deserve "full support in return," Bush said. Servicemembers and their families deserve the best-possible pay, Bush said, noting he'd increased basic military pay by 21 percent since 2001. Military members and their families also deserve affordable, comfortable housing and good health benefits, Bush said.

Military imminent danger pay has been increased by 50 percent to provide extra compensation for servicemembers deployed in harm's way. And, family separation pay was more than doubled. Base housing for military families has been upgraded, and out-of-pocket housing costs have been eliminated for most families living off base, Bush said.

In addition, it's easier for military families to obtain health care today, Bush said. Tax filing deadlines for deployed servicemembers have been extended. Payments for servicemembers wounded in action have been increased, and education benefits have been improved for the National Guard and Reserve.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bush; depend; families; gwot; iraq; militaryfamilies; oif; on; servicemembers; support; supportourtroops
Transcript of President Bush's Speech

VIDEO

REMARKS

1 posted on 10/25/2005 4:44:35 PM PDT by SandRat
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To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..

Words and Video from Pres. Bush


2 posted on 10/25/2005 4:45:10 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

Finally, let's say it: This is an ongoing, organized campaign against the forces of destruction, mayhem and caos. It is a continuation of the same fight that has been going on with civilization for 10,000 years, since someone first built a wall to keep the bad-guys out.

There is nothing unique about this war. The only difference is that we forgot, for a time, that we needed to fight it and that walls and oceans no longer work.


3 posted on 10/25/2005 5:16:51 PM PDT by Wiseghy (Discontent is the want of self-reliance: it is infirmity of will. – Ralph Waldo Emerson)
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To: SandRat
I saw the speech on TV and it summed up with a great number of points the justification for the WOT. A great speech but, unfortunately, the first thing mentioned by CNN after the speech was Bush's low ratings in the polls and the 2,000 deaths. They could not seriously comment on this speech... which shows how inane, biased and desperate they really are.
4 posted on 10/25/2005 10:03:40 PM PDT by Blind Eye Jones
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To: SandRat

BTTT


5 posted on 10/26/2005 3:04:48 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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