President George W. Bush will meet Herbert Rettke when he arrives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Thursday, August 29, 2002. Rettke, a U.S. Army veteran, works as a full-time volunteer for the Oklahoma City Veterans Administration Medical Center.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who are answering the call to service, and will recognize Rettke as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Since retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in 1992, Rettke has served 12,000 hours as a full-time volunteer with the Oklahoma City Veterans Administration Medical Center. Rettke also volunteers his time as state chairperson for the National Veterans Service Commission of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, where he organizes events and entertainment for veterans hospital patients. Rettke has also worked with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, helped to organize a children's summer camp and has participated in fundraising activities.

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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