[Calpernia]

"You find a family who's got a child in the United States military, tell them you appreciate them. Ask them if you can help them," the president said. "You see somebody wearing a uniform, you walk up and say, 'Thanks for serving the country.'"

Bush praised the men and women who are sacrificing for the nation's long-term security. "Ours is a remarkable country where we've got thousands of people signing up, volunteering for the United States military, many of them after September the 11th, knowing full well what they were signing up for," he said.

"And what's amazing about our military is that retention rates are high; people are still signing up," he said. "They want to ... defend the country. And for that, I am grateful."

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!