America Supports You

1. Tampa, Fla., Vice President Dick Cheney wears an America Supports You lapel pin during a June 10 interview with the Pentagon Channel TV and Radio Service at U.S. Special Operations Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base.

2. Branson, Mo., Vietnam veterans check for familiar names at the "Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall," the largest of several traveling replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. The wall was on display during Operation Homecoming USA through June 18.

3. Tikrit, Iraq, WWE Superstar Kurt Angle performs for service members in Iraq at WWE's "Holiday Tribute to the Troops" special on December 21.

4. Washington, D.C., Actress and singer Hilary Duff reads to children of military families during a June 10 Capitol Hill visit.

New on the ASY Team
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has joined the team! WWE is sponsoring a letter-writing campaign to the troops as part of fan activities at the Great American Bash Pay-Per-View, which is airing July 24 from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y. WWE fans are encouraged to visit troops.wwe.coma dedicated military website, and write on-line letters of thanks to the troops that can be read by military personnel and their families around the world. In return, WWE will send these fans a free Great American Bash poster featuring WWE Diva Torrie Wilson.

The Pentagon Memorial Fund has also joined the team. The Pentagon Memorial, when completed, will be a tribute to those who tragically lost their lives on September 11th and also a reminder of the freedom that our brave military men and women are working to defend and protect. To learn more about the Memorial, please visit here

ASY from Coast to Coast and Across the Ocean
Teen singer and actress Hilary Duff visited Washington June 10 on behalf of America Supports You partner the "Armed Forces Foundation," a non-profit organization that supports military families. Duff read a story to military children, signed autographs and took photos with the audience as part of the foundation's National Military Families Week kickoff. Duff said that supporting the military is something that every American should do and that service members are not only saving lives, but are helping our country and keeping our freedom and our liberty. Read more.

Tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans gathered in the Ozark Mountains (Mo.) June 15 for the official welcome home and thank you they never received. Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson, a Vietnam veteran, addressed the group during opening ceremonies for "Operation Homecoming USA," a weeklong program that served as a belated homecoming celebration and time of healing for veterans. Festivities during the week included a parade, military reunions, award ceremonies, golf and fishing tournaments, aircraft displays and concerts by many of the performers who entertained troops during United Service Organization shows in Vietnam. President Bush also thanked the group for their service and sacrifice through a videotaped message that was played during closing ceremonies. Troops currently serving in Baghdad sent thanks via live video feed.

ASY In the News
Host Tony Danza of the Tony Danza Show interviewed "A Million Thanks" founder and America Supports You partner Shauna Fleming. During the segment, Shauna promoted America Supports You and gave Danza a dog tag.

People Magazine named AmericaSupportsYou.mil a resource for individuals looking to show support for the troops.

The Claremore Daily Progress (OK) ran a feature on different state initiatives to support the troops, and Enid, Okla., was mentioned as an America Supports You partner.

Team Member of the Week
Operation Interdependence® is a Civilian-to-Military Delivery System® that provides a means for people of all ages to support our service men and women overseas with a note and a package from home. The organization's goal is to provide each service man or woman with a few treats and a letter from home each month during their entire deployment without overloading the military delivery system, through a secure and streamlined delivery method that is logistically sound. To learn more, visit http://www.oidelivers.org/

Thank You's from Soldiers
"I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. Now that I am deployed, it has become more apparent to me than ever before just what I am fighting for. Whether you support the war or not, thank you for supporting us.”

A1C McCartney, USAF, Denver, CO

“Thanks for all the support that we are getting while we do what needs to be done to make the world safe. Our families thank you for all the support you give them as well.”

Nelson Spafford, Sgt, US Army, North Pole, AK

To read more messages, Click here.
Our troops deserve to be applauded, and so do you!
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America Supports You E-Newsletter

You may use this link to go to the "America Supports You" site.
http://www.defenselink.mil/americasupportsyou/