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WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is in Iraq, a Pentagon spokesman said Saturday. "He's there to express his appreciation to the troops and to thank both the troops and their families for the sacrifices they are making," said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, a Defense Department spokesman. Rumsfeld's trip follows an emotional farewell Friday at the Pentagon, where the defense secretary defended his record on Iraq and Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2006 -- A group of American seamstresses is working to apply an old-fashioned skill -- sewing -- to help today’s wounded veterans. The nonprofit group “Sew Much Comfort” includes more than 2,000 people who sew specially made clothing for wounded servicemembers, who often find clothing off the rack doesn’t accommodate a variety of medical devices. Sew Much Comfort is a member of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, which highlights grassroots and corporate efforts to support U.S. troops and their families. Several of the groups set up tables at the end of the America Supports...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2006 -- They represented a cross-section of America -- thousands of men, women and children of all ages, races and backgrounds from every corner of the country -- and came together yesterday during the second annual America Supports You Freedom Walk here to pay tribute to those killed on Sept. 11, 2001. Two soldiers who understand firsthand the loss of Sept. 11, 2001, cross Memorial Bridge during the America Supports You Freedom Walk. Army Spc. Cindy Davis from Headquarters Company at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, lost two uncles, both firemen, in the World Trade Center....

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2006 -- Amid the thousands of walkers at the Pentagon yesterday commemorating the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and the nation’s past and present veterans, was a group that looks to help those veterans in a very tangible way. The American Legion’s “Heroes to Hometown” program, which was represented at the end of yesterday’s America Supports You Freedom Walk, is a group that works to provide a seamless transfer for severely injured veterans from the hospital to their hometowns. “We wanted to be a part of this, of course,” David L. Marsh, assistant director of...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2006 -- White Sands Missile Range, N.M., yesterday became the first U.S. city to hold a local Freedom Walk to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and honor veterans past and present. More than 30 military and civilian employees at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., gather for the Sept. 7 Freedom Walk to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and to honor veterans, past and present. Photo by Jose Salazar  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. More than 30 military and civilian employees at the massive range,...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2006 -- Tens of thousands of Americans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are preparing to put on their walking shoes during the next few days as they participate in Freedom Walks to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor veterans, past and present. More than 30 military and civilian employees at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., gather for the Sept. 7 Freedom Walk to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and to honor veterans, past and present. Photo by Jose Salazar  '(Click...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2006 – Chicago will remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the nation’s past and present veterans with a Freedom Walk on Sept. 10 at the north lawn of Soldier Field. The event is one of more than 120 similar events planned this weekend in all 50 states to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the attacks. Chicago felt a deep-seated need to hold a Freedom Walk, Eric Schuller, senior policy advisor to Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, said. “Chicago’s kind of the heartland of the United States,” he said....

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 – Waxhaw, N.C., will be awash in red, white and blue Sept. 9, as the town holds a Freedom Walk and “Waving Patriotism” event to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and honor servicemembers, past and present. Hosted by Flags Across the Nation, a nonprofit group that promotes patriotism, the events and walk will begin with a welcome ceremony at 11 a.m. near the town’s Memorial Wall and fire station and conclude at 5 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to write letters and create patriotic art for the troops. They can also brush up on flag...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 -- Columbia, S.C., will remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and honor servicemembers past and present with a Freedom Walk Sept. 11, according to a news release from the city. The walk will begin at the State Capitol at 11:30 a.m. and conclude at City Memorial Park with a wreath-laying ceremony. Participants will include members of the general public, public service representatives, state and local government officials and representatives of all military services, the release said. Jenny Sanford, wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, is scheduled to...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 -- Army Sgt. J.R. Schultz spent much of his down time in Iraq writing songs with his buddies. The endeavor paid big dividends when he entered the Dallas Songwriters Association’s “Songs From the Soul of Service” amateur songwriting contest. Army Sgt. J.R. Schultz was one of about 150 servicemembers who submitted original songs for the Dallas Songwriters Associations’ “Songs From the Soul of Service” amateur songwriting contest. He had two first-place songs, and a third song took a second place. “You Know Me,” his first-place entry in the country category, went on to take the grand...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 – The northwestern suburbs of Chicago will hold a Freedom Walk on Sept. 9 to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor the nation's veterans, past and present. "We just really feel that on this five-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, it's extremely important that we honor, in a very visible way, the victims of 9/11, … our military and our police and firefighters," Dirk Beveridge, the event's lead organizer, said. The walk will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Metra train station in downtown Barrington. The walk will be...

FONTANA, Calif., Sep. 5, 2006 -- For the sixth time since a California teenager began her quest two and a half years ago to collect and distribute a million thank you letters to U.S. servicemembers, the “A Million Thanks” organization set up its booth at a Nextel Cup NASCAR race. Rick Lalor, manager of motorsports and events for the Automobile Club, and Shauna Fleming, founder of A Million Thanks.org, stand by Mark Martin's No. 6 Nextel Cup car at California Speedway, Sept. 4. Fleming's A Million Thanks booth at the race collected hundreds of thank you letters for U.S. troops...

WASHINGTON, Sep. 1, 2006 – Americans can help the nation’s servicemembers by helping Brittany and Robbie Bergquist and their organization, Cell Phones for Soldiers, win one of three $50,000 Volvo for Life Awards. Cell Phones for Soldiers recycles used cell phones, personal data assistants, iPods and ink printer cartridges, and uses the profits to buy prepaid calling cards for deployed servicemembers. The Bergquists have raised more than $1 million and have distributed more than 100,000 prepaid cards to date. “Winning the Volvo for Life Award would mean that more of our troops can be helped by our organization,” Brittany said...

America Supports You: Groups Honor Troops with CelebrationBy Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2006 -- Waxhaw, N.C., is planning an all-American celebration of freedom to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and honor the nation’s servicemembers. Patte Kennedy, owner of Southsiders, and Tommy Nicholson are all smiles after hanging a collection of patriotic art and “Letters to the Troops” on the walls of Southsiders Deli in Waxhaw, N.C. They were hanging the collection in preparation for Flags Across The Nation's Sept. 9 event. “Waving Patriotism” is being held to remember 9/11 and support the...

I know there have been several articles pertaining to America Supports You, but I wanted to specifically call this out as an opportunity to simply drop the troops a message of support for the job they're doing. I heard an ad on the radio for this and, after posting a message, thought what better way to spread the word than to let the FReepers know we're thinking of them. http://www.americasupportsyou.mil Take care.

On the five year anniversary of the tragic events at the Pentagon, the twin towers in New York City, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the America Supports You Freedom Walk begins a new national tradition to reflect on the lives lost on September 11, renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country and honor our veterans, past and present. Freedom Walks are being held in cities large and small across the country. Washington, D.C. is hosting the second annual America Supports You Freedom Walk on the eve of September 11.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 29, 2006 -- Wrapping up a trip here that also included stops in Alaska and Reno, Nev., Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld met today with volunteers from “Operation Give,” a nonprofit organization that supports children in war-torn and natural-disaster-affected areas of the world. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, center, meets with Operation Give volunteers and thanks them for their contributions during a stop in Salt Lake City, Utah, Aug. 29, 2006. Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “Those of you who volunteer your time are appreciated,” Rumsfeld told...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2006 -- The communication gap between military families at Fort Drum, N.Y., and their soon-to-be deployed servicemembers was bridged before it existed, thanks to Operation Homelink. Lisa Wrenn, with help from sons, Casey, 11, (center), and Cody, 8, carries a computer donated by Operation Homelink on Aug. 23 at Fort Drum, N.Y. Wrenn’s husband, Army Spec. William Wrenn, recently deployed with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Courtesy photo  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Operation Homelink is a member of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which spotlights ways the American people and...

America Supports You Freedom Walks In 91 Cities, New National Tradition Emerges To Commemorate 9/11 WASHINGTON – America Supports You Freedom Walks continue to grow across the nation with 91 cities in 41 states signing on to commemorate the victims and families of Sept. 11 and to honor veterans, past and present. Freedom Walks, a new national tradition and opportunity for citizens to come together to recognize and remember the tragic Sept. 11 attacks on New York City, Shanksville, Pa. and the Pentagon, are being embraced by cities large and small. They are being organized by grassroots efforts, through schools...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2006 – Severely injured servicemembers and their spouses are seeing doors open to meaningful civilian careers, thanks to a partnership between the Defense Department and the private sector. The Office of the Secretary of Defense, DoD’s Military Severely Injured Center and Military.com -- a private organization that provides information and serves as a networking hub for current and former military people, defense workers and their families – are co-sponsors of “Hiring Heroes.” Hiring Heroes helps connect servicemembers with DoD and other federal agencies, as well as civilian companies, with significant positions to fill. But it’s not...