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Presenter: Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, CJCS |
Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 1:53 p.m. EDT |
(Briefing on Operation Tribute to Freedom. Participating were Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Army Maj. Gen. Anders B. Aadland, director, Installation Management Agency, and executive director, Operation Tribute to Freedom Committee. The slide shown at today's briefing can be found on the Web at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2003/g030612-D-6570C.html.)
Myers: Well, good afternoon, everybody. While operations in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, more than 100,000 of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have returned from overseas. As they do, many communities from around our country are paying tribute to the efforts and sacrifices these brave men and women have made in our global war on terrorism. In fact, we've been inundated with requests from hundreds of communities -- actually, I think the number is closer to -- up to a thousand now -- communities, companies and individuals asking how they can show their support and say thanks for the great job our young people have done and continue to do.
We have established Operation Tribute to Freedom as a way for the military to support as many community efforts as possible. The first of the Operation Tribute to Freedom events began on Memorial Day weekend, I think a natural starting point to reflect on the sacrifices of our military members and their families.
This Saturday, all Major League Baseball teams will fly flags that were flown over the Pentagon to recognize our troops. And there are numerous Operation Tribute to Freedom events taking place across the country over the next several months that include hometown parades, 4th of July fireworks, veterans meetings, community dinners, and many other types of tributes.
Of course, many Americans around the nation have already paid tribute to our troops in so many ways, and we thank them very much for their support. Some have placed yellow ribbons on mail boxes, hosted a parade or, like one family in St. Jacob, Illinois, they have taken over their neighbor's lawn care until he returns from Iraq. What a deal that is. I think they bring new meaning to the term "neighborly." In fact, it was just last weekend, I was out about 40 miles west of here, went through a couple of small towns, and it was amazing the number of American flags and yellow ribbons that were displayed, I think all part of recognizing the sacrifices that our armed forces make.
The official Tribute to Freedom Events scheduled for this summer, and beyond, will continue that support for our fighting forces.
Q: Is there any indication -- I'm sorry -- going back to the same issue, any indication of casualties on either side?
Myers: In that particular event, we had one wounded.
Q: One --
Myers: One on the U.S. side.
Q: U.S. side. Is there any indication on the other side?
Myers: There were a number killed -- large number.