"In Massachusetts, a contractor named John Gonsalves says --heard about a soldier who had lost both legs in an RPG attack in Iraq. So he started Homes For Our Troops, a non-profit dedicated to building and adapting homes for disabled veterans with special needs. John says, ‘The war on terror is something the American people should all be a part of, not just the people on the front lines in Afghanistan and in Iraq.’ He says, ‘We have a responsibility to do more for our veterans who are out there fighting every day and putting their lives on the line."

President George W. Bush
Camp Pendleton, California
December 7, 20044

• PRESIDENT BUSH VISITS USO CARE PACKAGE FACILITY AT FT. BELVOIR.  On December 10, 2004, President and Mrs. Bush showed their support for our troops and their families by helping assemble USO Care Packages at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. “But I hope our troops understand that with this package comes a lot of support and a lot of affection from not only a husband or a wife, or a mom or a dad, but equally important, an average citizen who you never met, somebody who deeply appreciates your service, somebody who understands the mission, and somebody who stands solidly with you as you work to make the world a better place,” President Bush said….
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• USA FREEDOM CORPS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE TO ENCOURAGE AMERICA’S YOUTH TO VOLUNTEER.  U.S. Department of Education Secretary Rod Paige was joined on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 by Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps Desiree T. Sayle and Corporation for National and Community Service CEO David Eisner to launch a new website designed to show elementary and middle school students how they can start making a difference by volunteering. The new website, www.usafreedomcorpskids.gov, also includes resources, ideas, and information to help parents and teachers engage America’s youth in their communities….
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• NEW FIRE CORPS PROGRAM LAUNCHED.  Fire Corps, a new program to support fire departments by encouraging citizen advocates to serve in non-emergency roles, was launched at a White House event on Thursday, December 9, 2004. Desiree T. Sayle, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps was joined at the launch by Matt Mayer, Chief of Staff, Office of State and Local Government Preparedness, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Chief R. David Paulison, United States Fire Administrator, U.S. Department of Homeland Security….
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• PRESIDENT BUSH RECOGNIZES CALIFORNIA WOMAN FOR DEDICATION TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE.  President George W. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Kathryn Ostapuk when he arrived in Miramar, California, on Tuesday, December 7, 2004. Ostapuk, 24, is an active volunteer with MarineParents.com, a non-profit web site launched in 2003 to provide parents and loved ones of deployed Marines a central gathering place for information and support. Ostapuk dedicates approximately 30 hours a week to the web site, moderating a chat room for spouses and girlfriends of deployed Marines ….
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Honor volunteers in your community with the
PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

Please visit www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307 for more information.

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Americans of all ages are serving others in countless ways, by mentoring a child, caring for an elderly neighbor, teaching someone to read, or donating food and clothing to those who need them. No matter where you live or what interests you, you can find ways to volunteer in your community or overseas.

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