Seraphim
03-18-2004, 02:45 PM
Video on link
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3&u=/ap/20040318/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_2
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040318/capt.cdh10203181830.bush_cdh102.jpg
President Bush (news - web sites) waves as he arrives to address troops at Fort Campbell, Ky., Thursday, March 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A year after he sent troops to Iraq (news - web sites), President Bush (news - web sites) thanked thousands who have returned home for "a job well done" and said the United States must persevere in the war against terrorism.
"Welcome home!" exclaimed the president, wearing a military-style jacket as he spoke Thursday to thousands. Troops in camouflage uniforms responded with roars of "hoo-ah" as Bush spoke under a brilliant sunshine at this sprawling Southern Army base.
After the pep talk for the troops, Bush was meeting privately with survivors of some who never made it home.
He also walked the chow line with his wife, Laura, and with soldiers, picking out fried shrimp, corn and broccoli. Bush passed on the prime rib, but marveled at one soldier's slab of beef: "Whose steak is that? That's half a cow!"
Scores of soldiers sat ramrod-straight as Bush then entered the mess hall. The president bowed his head with them for a prayer, then dug in.
Bush gave the speech in the same outdoor field where he addressed troops in November 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington; so Thursday's outing brought him full-circle.
Bush told the soldiers they were serving "at a crucial hour in the history of freedom."
"In the first war of the 21st century," he said, "you're defending your fellow citizens against ruthless enemies. And by your sacrifice, you're making our country more secure."
"You have delivered justice to many terrorists, and you're keeping the rest of them on the run," Bush said.
Interviews with troops here suggested that Bush retains the strong support of the rank and file in the military, although many have lost comrades in Iraq. Fort Campbell has the third-largest military population in the Army. It also has lost the most soldiers in the Iraq campaign: Of the 564 U.S. service members who have died in Iraq, 60 have been from Fort Campbell. Hundreds have been injured.
"It's about time we got somebody in a key position to do what we need to do" in leading the military, said Sgt. Jerry Tucker, who served in Iraq.
But Staff Sgt. Jon Meyer said he wanted to hear Bush say he would send more troops to Iraq to bolster the current force. Soldiers in Iraq felt short-handed "any time you went into a village or city," Meyer said.
Many soldiers here are still grieving for fallen friends.
"When my buddy died, it was the saddest day of my life," said Spc. Brian Belue. "But I know he died for a great cause and I know he was proud to give his life for his country."
Bush was to meet with the families of more than 40 soldiers who died in Iraq. Sixty soldiers from Fort Campbell died in that country, and 14 from the base died in Afghanistan (news - web sites).
The trip Thursday was part of Bush's campaign to persuade Americans to give him another four years as commander in chief, at a time when military leadership occupies center stage in the presidential campaign.
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Bush's intention Thursday was to place his political strong suit — national security — on full display.
By a 2-to-1 margin, polls show that voters approve of the way Bush is handling terrorism. However, those surveys suggest the public remains divided about the Iraq war.
But new trouble with allies on Iraq shadowed Bush here.
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, a key U.S. ally, said Thursday he may withdraw troops early from Iraq and that Poland was "misled" about the threat of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s weapons of mass destruction.
As he walked the meal line here, Bush brushed off a reporter's question about Kwasnieski's comments. "I'm here to eat dinner," the president said, shaking his head.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3&u=/ap/20040318/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_2
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040318/capt.cdh10203181830.bush_cdh102.jpg
President Bush (news - web sites) waves as he arrives to address troops at Fort Campbell, Ky., Thursday, March 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A year after he sent troops to Iraq (news - web sites), President Bush (news - web sites) thanked thousands who have returned home for "a job well done" and said the United States must persevere in the war against terrorism.
"Welcome home!" exclaimed the president, wearing a military-style jacket as he spoke Thursday to thousands. Troops in camouflage uniforms responded with roars of "hoo-ah" as Bush spoke under a brilliant sunshine at this sprawling Southern Army base.
After the pep talk for the troops, Bush was meeting privately with survivors of some who never made it home.
He also walked the chow line with his wife, Laura, and with soldiers, picking out fried shrimp, corn and broccoli. Bush passed on the prime rib, but marveled at one soldier's slab of beef: "Whose steak is that? That's half a cow!"
Scores of soldiers sat ramrod-straight as Bush then entered the mess hall. The president bowed his head with them for a prayer, then dug in.
Bush gave the speech in the same outdoor field where he addressed troops in November 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington; so Thursday's outing brought him full-circle.
Bush told the soldiers they were serving "at a crucial hour in the history of freedom."
"In the first war of the 21st century," he said, "you're defending your fellow citizens against ruthless enemies. And by your sacrifice, you're making our country more secure."
"You have delivered justice to many terrorists, and you're keeping the rest of them on the run," Bush said.
Interviews with troops here suggested that Bush retains the strong support of the rank and file in the military, although many have lost comrades in Iraq. Fort Campbell has the third-largest military population in the Army. It also has lost the most soldiers in the Iraq campaign: Of the 564 U.S. service members who have died in Iraq, 60 have been from Fort Campbell. Hundreds have been injured.
"It's about time we got somebody in a key position to do what we need to do" in leading the military, said Sgt. Jerry Tucker, who served in Iraq.
But Staff Sgt. Jon Meyer said he wanted to hear Bush say he would send more troops to Iraq to bolster the current force. Soldiers in Iraq felt short-handed "any time you went into a village or city," Meyer said.
Many soldiers here are still grieving for fallen friends.
"When my buddy died, it was the saddest day of my life," said Spc. Brian Belue. "But I know he died for a great cause and I know he was proud to give his life for his country."
Bush was to meet with the families of more than 40 soldiers who died in Iraq. Sixty soldiers from Fort Campbell died in that country, and 14 from the base died in Afghanistan (news - web sites).
The trip Thursday was part of Bush's campaign to persuade Americans to give him another four years as commander in chief, at a time when military leadership occupies center stage in the presidential campaign.
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Bush's intention Thursday was to place his political strong suit — national security — on full display.
By a 2-to-1 margin, polls show that voters approve of the way Bush is handling terrorism. However, those surveys suggest the public remains divided about the Iraq war.
But new trouble with allies on Iraq shadowed Bush here.
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, a key U.S. ally, said Thursday he may withdraw troops early from Iraq and that Poland was "misled" about the threat of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s weapons of mass destruction.
As he walked the meal line here, Bush brushed off a reporter's question about Kwasnieski's comments. "I'm here to eat dinner," the president said, shaking his head.