Bush Calls on Public to Support Troops

American Forces Press Service ^ | Linda D. Kozaryn

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, July 4, 2006 – President Bush today called on the American public to do their part in supporting the nation's men and women in uniform.

"Across our country, Americans are coming together to help our deployed forces and their families -- and we can do more," Bush said during an Independence Day speech at Fort Bragg, N.C. "I ask every citizen to consider making a contribution to the men and women who defend us, because every one of us owes our freedom to these courageous Americans."

"On this 4th of July, I ask all Americans to take a moment and consider what you might do to support the men and women who wear our nation's uniform," the president said. "If you're interested in helping, go to a Department of Defense Web site called www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. That's where you can find a place to volunteer, an opportunity to help."

Bush said he met last week with leaders of military support organizations from across the country. Today, he told the troops at Fort Bragg, N.C., "America stands with you."

"These groups are sending letters to our troops and offering scholarships for the children of our fallen and severely wounded soldiers," he said. "And they're providing millions of dollars in assistance to families of servicemen and women in need."

The president recalled meeting Emily Dieruf of Versailles, Ky., who lost her husband, Marine Cpl. Nicholas Dieruf, in Iraq.

"Emily Dieruf has dedicated her life to helping our servicemen and women and their families in difficult times," Bush said. "She travels the country raising funds for a group called USA Cares, and together, they provided more than $1.4 million in assistance to our military families. The president also recalled meeting Mary Harper, whose five children and one son-in-law are in the Army and have served in Iraq. "Mary was concerned about our troops not receiving mail from home, and so she started something called Operation ShoeBox," Bush said. "Today, she has 500 volunteers working with her, shipping between 500 and 700 care packages a week to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and other fronts in the war on terror.

"People like Mary and Emily represent the heart and soul of our nation, and they make this country proud," Bush said.

Last year, he noted, more than 6,400 members of the Fort Bragg community served as volunteers, putting in more than 725,000 hours of service to their friends and neighbors at this base. They coached Little League teams, comforted children who miss deployed parents and helped returning soldiers readjust from life in a combat zone to life at home. "As you stand with one another here at Fort Bragg," Bush said, "you need to know, America stands with you. We support you."

Related Sites:

President Bush's Remarks at Fort Bragg, N.C.

America Supports You

USA Cares

Operation ShoeBox

Related Articles:

President Salutes Those Who Serve as Nation Celebrates Freedom

Bush Vows Troops Will Not Have Died in Vain

[SandRat]

For us here on FR it's a Call to Serve to Proselytize to the unbelievers among us.

[stand watie]

YEP!

free dixie,sw

[JOE43270]

SandRat I've been in support forever. God bless the BEST of the BEST. That's what our people are.

[CrazyIvan]

I think it was Churchill (Winston, not he fake Indian) who said that there was more to be learned sometimes by what was assumed than what was debated. Having to ask a populous to support their military is like having to ask people not to molest children.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Bump THAT, SandRat!!!!!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"On this 4th of July, I ask all Americans to take a moment and consider what you might do to support the men and women who wear our nation's uniform," the president said. "If you're interested in helping, go to a Department of Defense Web site called www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. That's where you can find a place to volunteer, an opportunity to help."

http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil

[aft_lizard]

thanks for the ping.

[Defender2]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk
Check out this thread and go to posts #21, 31 and 32.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1660186/posts?q=1&&page=21

Happy Independence Day, Tonk!!!!:-)

D2

:-)

[Gucho]

Bump! Thanks for the ping Tonk.

[Coop]

How 'bout that? I'm wearing my America Supports You t-shirt from last year's September 11th commemmorative walk. :-)

My special thanks to so many here who truly go above and beyond to support our troops in a variety of ways. May you continue your selfless service and, perhaps even more importantly, inspire others to follow your lead!

Freedom isn't free.

God bless our troops!

[DakotaRed]

Having to ask a populous to support their military is like having to ask people not to molest children.

Unless you are in the Main Civil Liberties Union that is actively opposing a proposal for a Support The Troops license plate, with proceeds to help families of deployed troops. Seems they are most worried that anti-war advocates may not receive equal exposure by the state.

Separation of Politics and State Now?

[Coop]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1660357/posts?page=11#11

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the ping and your continuing volunteer service Tonk.

Happy Independence Day to all and God Bless America.

[Coop]

One of my favorite examples of how a couple of people (in this case, kids) can truly make a difference in the lives of our armed forces and their families:

Cell Phones for Soldiers

The Cell Phones for Soldiers program was started in April of 2004 by 13-year-old Brittany Bergquist and her 12-year-old brother Robbie of Norwell, Massachusetts. After hearing a news report about a local soldier who ran up a massive phone bill calling home from Iraq, they decided they wanted to do something to help. Brittany and Robbie donated their piggy bank money, collected snack money from their friends at school, and with $21.00, they went to the bank to open an account. The South Shore Savings Bank of Hanover, Massachusetts donated $500.00 to help them get started.

Their goal is to help our soldiers serving overseas call home. They hope to provide as many soldiers as possible with prepaid calling cards for now with an ultimate goal of providing banks of satellite phones, video phones and VOIP communications. Through generous donations and the recycling of used cell phones from drop-off sites across the country, they have already distributed thousands of calling cards to soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Marine Corps Times photo

[jazusamo]

What a great idea that Brittany and Robbie came up with, they can be very proud having started this program. Thanks for the post and link, they have just gained another donor.

[Coop]

Good for you. :-)

[DakotaRed]

Obvioulsy, children with good parents.

Let's hope the coming generations keep producing such people.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[BillF]

Funny, I didn't see you at the Sept 11th walk. I must have been looking for the Nude Swimsuit Model that you had led me to believe had something to do with the walk. :)

Thanks for the ping.

Thanks most of all for your service in the military and also your considerable activities since getting out.

Hope that you had a great 4th!