President George W. Bush will meet Laura Froehlich upon arrival in Riverside, California, on Wednesday, October 15, 2003. Froehlich, 54, is a former member of the U.S. Air Force and an active volunteer at March Air Reserve Base since 1986.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Froehlich, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

For the past 17 years, Froehlich has volunteered several times each month at March Air Reserve Base, sending off and welcoming home Air Force, Marines and National Guard flights. It is estimated that she has shaken 60,000 hands of military men and women departing and arriving home. Froehlich organizes the volunteers meeting the flights as well as donations of extra supplies for the soldiers, including snacks, drinks and toiletry items. Froehlich also helps to raise funds for Family Day at March Air Reserve Base and has participated in the military appreciation picnic at the base for more than ten years. As past president and former chair of the board of directors of the Morning Optimist Club of Moreno Valley, Froehlich has dedicated countless hours organizing events and raising funds to benefit the Ronald McDonald House and other youth programs and scholarship initiatives.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to volunteer service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world. Interested volunteers can find opportunities in their own neighborhoods through the USA Freedom Corps web site at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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