DoD Announces America Supports You Program
November 19, 2004

The Department of Defense announced today the launch of America Supports You, a nationwide program to showcase and communicate American support to the men and women of the Armed Forces.

In announcing America Supports You, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Charles Abell said that thousands of Americans, including individual citizens, businesses and organizations, have spearheaded activities and projects in their communities to show their support for Americas Armed Forces, especially those serving in harms way.

These activities of support have a positive impact on the morale and spirit of those who serve, said Abell. He said the America Supports You program will showcase these community activities and projects on a new website http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil so that the American public and the U.S. military serving at home and overseas will know firsthand how much the American people appreciate their service and sacrifice.

Teenager Shauna Fleming of Los Angeles created one of the projects highlighted on the new AmericaSupportsYou web site. Fleming, a 15-year-old high school freshman, launched a campaign called “A Million Thanks,” a year-round campaign to show U.S. military men and women, past and present, appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication and service through letters, emails, cards, prayers and thoughts.

Flemings story is one of many that will be profiled on the AmericaSupportsYou

website in the coming weeks and months. Americans are invited to log on to the website and share details of activities supporting the troops that are taking place in their communities. Everyone who shares their story will receive a dog tag with the America Supports You logo, while supplies last.

Representatives of veterans and service organizations also joined DoD at the launch, including Edward A. Powell Jr., USO, president and chief executive officer; Raymond Felsecker, American Legion, assistant director of the National Security Foreign Relations Commission; and James R. Mueller, Veterans of Foreign Wars, senior vice commander-in-chief.

They join other organizations and associations supporting the campaign through the distribution of promotional materials and development of community-based activities.

For more information about America Supports You, please log on to http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil .