'America Supports You' links American public with the troops

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Department of Defense officials launched a nationwide program, America Supports You, and Web site to showcase the many activities taking place across the nation in support of the troops. The Web site, which highlights organizations and individuals coordinating local and national support efforts, has logged nearly a million hits since its inception Nov. 19.

Individual citizens, businesses, schools, veterans groups and others have visited www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil to register their activities, send a message to the troops and identify programs of support in their own communities.

Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, said that while the Department of Defense knew that many of these programs existed, the site has become a useful tool in "helping to link people and programs, and more importantly, to share these stories of support with the people who need to hear them most -- the men and women serving overseas. The feedback from our troops has been tremendous, just as the outpouring of support from the American people has been overwhelming.”

Americans can visit the site and register their activities, large or small, supporting the troops. Everyone who registers receives an official America Supports You dog tag that can be worn as a visible symbol of support for the troops. The dog tags have been seen across the country, worn by celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Wayne Newton, and worn by everyday citizens at national events, such as the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade, the Fiesta and Rose Bowls and the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square.

Ms. Barber also suggests that businesses, schools, churches, corporations and individuals add a link to the site from their Web sites.

“Servicemembers and their families have told us how much they are inspired by the messages of support from all across the nation that are posted each day. Whether you post a message on the site, or team up with a local group organizing care packages, each and every activity sends the message loud and clear: ‘America Supports You,’” she said.