Posted on 01/03/2003 6:42:14 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2003 - There was no mistaking that America's soldiers are firmly behind their commander in chief during a presidential visit to the Army's Fort Hood, Texas, today.
The troops there interrupted President Bush's short speech no less than 24 times with that unique Army seal of approval -- "Hooah!"
Bush spoke to troops from the "great 1st Cavalry Division" and "the mighty 4th Infantry Division" before having lunch with soldiers during a noontime visit.
The president noted 1,300 Fort Hood soldiers are deployed in various locations overseas and another 1,600 are preparing to go.
"In the months ahead, more soldiers from Fort Hood may be given other essential missions," Bush said. "But wherever you serve or wherever you may be sent, you can know that America is grateful and your commander in chief is confident in your abilities and proud of your service."
(Lots of hooahs here.)
Bush reminded the soldiers why America is fighting a war against terrorism. "(The terrorists) don't value innocent life. They're nothing but a bunch of cold-blooded killers, and that's the way we're going to treat them," he said to rounds of hooahs. "They reach across oceans to target the innocent. They seek weapons of mass murder on a massive scale. The terrorists will not be stopped by mercy or by conscience, but they will be stopped.
"And they will be stopped by the will and the might of the United States of America," he said. The continuing roars of approval -- "Hooah! Hooah!" -- were deafening.
Bush outlined the military's successes in Afghanistan and spoke of the challenges ahead in dealing with other rogue regimes.
"In the case of North Korea, the world must continue to speak with one voice to turn that regime away from its nuclear weapons," he said.
Iraq is a "grave threat" to the United States and its allies. The president ticked off a list of things that prove the level of this threat: Saddam Hussein has publicly declared his hatred for America; Iraq has a record for torturing its own people and of aggression against its neighbors; Iraq has used weapons of mass destruction.
"That's why I say Iraq is a threat, a real threat," Bush said. Still, the president said, he hopes Iraq changes course and complies with U.N resolutions mandating the country's disarmament.
But, if not, "America will act deliberately; America will act decisively; and America will prevail because we've got the finest military in the world. (Paroxysms of hooahs.) We are ready," Bush said, over the hooahs. "We're prepared, and should the United States be compelled to act, our troops will be acting in the finest traditions of America."
Related Sites of Interest:
AFRTS Radio Report: President Bush thanks the troops at Ft. Hood AFRTS Radio Report: President Bush: Iraq has chosen defiance over peace 
AFRTS TV Report: President Bush thanks, praises troops at Fort Hood, says crucial hours may lie ahead AFRTS TV Report: President tells Fort Hood soldiers success of America's cause depends on them
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There were stories floating around Hawaii when the bent one was here (frequently causing huge traffic jams) that soldiers were "expected" to be present at some military event Clinton attended. In other words, if you didn't show it wasn't exactly going to look good on your next OER. I don't recall anyone looking forward to going. Nothing like the show of support that Bush is receiving.
Subject: Military Thank You Card
Subject: Military Thanks!If you are so inclined, visit the Department of Defense web page below
and sign a brief message thanking the men and women of the U.S. military
services for defending our freedom. The compiled list of names will be
sent out to our soldiers at the end of the month. So far, there are
only about 1,400,000 names. What a shame.
There should be hundreds of millions of thank yous.
Pass the word that we can honor and support the defenders of freedom.National Military Appreciation Month
http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.htmltakes 10 seconds...literally (please pass it on to your email friends)
God Bless!
"So far, there are only about 1,400,000 names."
Is this figure for one month? The DoD site says that 2,695,400 people have signed to date. Is that for the entire length of Operation Enduring Freedom? If so, more people need to be aware of the DoD webpage.
Here's a quote from a soldier today at my alma mater:
"For God and Country is what I signed the paperwork for," said Pfc. Brad Hastings, 20, originally from Memphis, Tenn. "If I'm called, I'm ready to go."
However, I think they liked more the care packages that I_be_tc and I sent last month, especially the Spiderman, MIBII, and other videos.
God Bless everyone of the men and women serving in the military
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