President George W. Bush will meet Billy C. Colwell, Sr., when he arrives at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on Thursday, March 18, 2004. Colwell, a U.S. Army Veteran, is an active volunteer with the Fort Campbell Armed Services YMCA.

Earlier this year, the USA Freedom Corps – President Bush’s initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation – celebrated its second anniversary. Since January 2002, President Bush has met with more than 260 individuals around the country, like Colwell, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Knowing first-hand what it is like for young soldiers and families to adjust to military life, Colwell began volunteering with the Fort Campbell Armed Services YMCA. As chairman of the YMCA Board of Directors at Fort Campbell, Colwell raises awareness about YMCA programs available to military soldiers and their families, assists with building maintenance and upkeep, raises funds to benefit YMCA programs, and works closely with the organization’s executive director to help in any way he can. Colwell also serves as president of the West Kentucky and Tennessee chapter of the 101st Airborne Division Association. Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom, Colwell and his wife have volunteered at all hours of the day to meet soldiers as they departed and returned from service in Iraq in order to demonstrate community support and thank them for their service to our nation.

President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House to foster an American culture of service, citizenship and responsibility. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the call to 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 information on the USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.

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