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Skriven 2005-08-22 23:33:16 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0508222) for Mon, 2005 Aug 22
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Fact Sheet: President Bush Honors America's Veterans and Soldiers
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 22, 2005

Fact Sheet: President Bush Honors America's Veterans and Soldiers



Today's Presidential Action:

Today, President Bush Addressed The Veterans Of Foreign Wars In Salt Lake
City, Utah. The President honored the service and sacrifice of the veterans
who defended America's freedom in the past, and he paid tribute to the
heroes in our armed forces today who are advancing freedom in the War on
Terror.

President Bush Honors American Veterans
  þ America's Veterans Have Set A Brave Example For All And Deserve Our
    Thanks. America's veterans defended our country when America needed
    them most. They triumphed over brutal enemies, liberated continents,
    and defended our freedom and our lives. America's veterans have earned
    the thanks and support of a grateful Nation. We also remember those who
    did not return as well as those whose fate is unknown. We honor those
    families who have lost a loved one in the defense of freedom, and we
    will never stop searching until every missing member of the Armed
    Forces is accounted for.
  þ President Bush Is Committed To Giving Veterans The Benefits They Have
    Earned. Since the President took office, the Administration has
    increased spending for veterans by 24 billion dollars - a total of 53
    percent. In the President's first four years in office, spending for
    veterans increased twice as much as it did in the eight years of the
    previous administration.
      þ Health Care For Veterans Is A Top Priority. The President
        recognizes the importance of health care to veterans and has made
        it a priority to improve the current system. Since taking office,
        President Bush has increased the VA medical-care budget by 51
        percent, and these resources are being used to make real
        improvements for veterans. Over the past four years, total
        outpatient visits have increased by 11 million, and the number of
        prescriptions filled has increased by 18 million. Since January
        2002, the backlog of disability claims has decreased by 20 percent.
      þ VA Facilities Are Being Modernized And Expanded. More than 1.5
        billion dollars has been spent modernizing and expanding VA
        facilities so that more veterans can get care closer to home.
      þ President Bush Was The First President In Over 100 Years To Sign
        Concurrent Receipt Legislation. This law ensures today's veterans
        are eligible for the military retired pay and VA disability
        compensation. President Bush has also expanded grants to help
        homeless veterans find the shelter they deserve in the country
        whose freedom they fought for.

President Bush Has Outlined A Comprehensive Strategy To Win The War On
Terror
  þ Protecting The Homeland. President Bush has reformed our intelligence
    services to stay a step ahead of terrorists, while establishing new
    financial and diplomatic tools to cut off their financial support.
    Funding for homeland security programs has more than tripled since
    2001, and more than $14 billion has been provided to support police
    officers, firefighters, and other first responders. The USA Patriot Act
    has enhanced information sharing between law enforcement and
    intelligence personnel, updated the law to adapt to changes in
    technology, and allowed the critical tools that have been used for
    years in cases against organized crime and drug dealers to be used in
    the fight against terrorists.
  þ Fighting The Terrorists Abroad Before They Can Attack Us Here At Home.
    September 11th taught us that retreating within our borders will not
    keep us safe. That is why American men and women in uniform are taking
    the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Horn of Africa,
    and elsewhere. Iraq is a central front in the War on Terror as
    terrorists there try to block the advance of freedom. As Iraqis forge a
    new constitution, Iraqi soldiers are increasing their capabilities to
    fight our common enemy. As the Iraqis stand up, Americans will stand
    down.
  þ Advancing Freedom To Ensure American Security. In the long run, victory
    in the War on Terror requires changing the conditions that give rise to
    violence and extremism. President Bush is determined to fight the
    terrorists' ideology of hate and fear by spreading hope and freedom to
    troubled regions of the world. New democratic governments in
    Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon have encouraged democratic reformers in
    places like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In the heart of the Middle East,
    President Abbas has rejected violence and taken steps toward democratic
    reform, while Prime Minister Sharon and the Israeli people took a
    courageous and painful step toward peace between Israelis and
    Palestinians by removing settlements in Gaza and parts of the northern
    West Bank. As people in the Middle East and across the world advance
    peace and regain freedom, America will be more secure.
  þ Like Past Threats To American Freedom, The War On Terror Has Demanded
    Great Sacrifice And Courage. Since September 11th, we have known that
    the War on Terror would require great sacrifice. We have lost 1,864
    members of our Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 223 in
    Operation Enduring Freedom. Each of these men and women has left behind
    a grieving family and a heroic legacy of freedom for generations of
    Americans. And each of these Americans has brought the hope of freedom
    to millions who have not known it. We will honor their sacrifice by
    finishing the task they gave their lives for.
  þ Veterans Understand That The Rise Of Liberty Is Critical To Our
    National Security. Veterans understand the power of freedom because
    they have witnessed it with their own eyes. They have seen that
    democracies do not fight each other, and that liberation leads to
    peace.

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