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Ustwo · 09-14-2004, 10:32 PM

Exerpts of Bushes speech to the 126th National Guard Association of the United States conference.

Quote:

"I know this time of call-ups, alerts, mobilizations, and deployments has been difficult for Guard members and their families and employers," the president said. "When our nation must call on you, we owe you some things in return."

The government is working to provide the nation's weekend warriors with at least 30 days notification before they are mobilized, the president said, and to give them the best estimate as to the length of that mobilization and to minimize repeat call ups.

Bush noted that more than $14 billion has been spent for construction, maintenance and support for U.S. Guard and Reserve facilities, health care benefits have been increased, and that he has asked Congress to increase the monthly educational benefit for Guard and Reserve forces mobilized for more than 90 days by 40 to 80 percent, depending on the length of their mobilization.

"America needs the service of our Guardsmen and women, because we are living in dangerous times," Bush said. "My most solemn duty as president is to protect the American people. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch."

In Afghanistan and Iraq, Bush vowed that U.S. troops will only stay as long as it takes to put those countries on the road to democracy. That includes training new armies and helping with elections.

"And then our troops will return home with the honor they have earned," Bush said.
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An AP-Ipsos poll last week found Bush was the choice of 53 percent of likely voters and Kerry the choice of 43 percent. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader took 2 percent. In the poll, veterans and their families said Bush was stronger and more honest than Kerry.