Features

Bush visits soldiers, promises better pay

The Associated Press
Tuesday February 13, 2001

FORT STEWART, Ga. — President Bush, in his first trip with all the trappings of commander in chief, told U.S. soldiers Monday that “America is not serving you well” and promised morale-boosting pay increases, better housing and health care. 

“I’m proud to lead you,” Bush told hundreds of soldiers and their families on a cold, wind-swept marching field. “And I’m committed to serve you.” 

It was a day filled with firsts for the new president: his first major trip as president, his first flight aboard the Boeing 747 Air Force One and the first official playing of “Hail to the Chief.” It was the first of four presidential trips this week designed to promote Bush’s national security policies, including a Friday stay in Mexico. 

Bush reviewed the troops with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld – the president’s steps keeping time with a military hymn, battle flags dipping as he passed each unit.  

Cannons pounded out a 21-gun salute, the first for Bush as president. 

Less formal later, the president visited cramped quarters and ate lunch with the troops. 

“Our nation can never repay our debt to you, but we can give you our full support and my administration will,” Bush said in his brief remarks. 

He announced a $310 billion proposed Pentagon budget for 2002, up $14 billion from the current figure. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said $5.7 billion of the new money will improve the quality of life for troops; the rest will help other projects keep pace with inflation. 

Going to the troops: 

• Pay increases, with $1.4 billion given to the Pentagon to decide how to divide it. The increases would come atop the 4.6 percent across-the-board pay hike in the current budget. 

• Health benefits, with $3.9 billion set aside to eliminate most deductions and fund a mail-in pharmacy. 

• $400 million to improve military housing. 

“While you’re serving us well, America is not serving you well enough. Many in our military have been over-deployed and underpaid. Many live in aging houses and work in aging building,” Bush said, each point punctuated by thunderous applause. 

“This is not the way a great nation should reward courage and idealism,” he said.  

“It’s ungrateful. It’s unwise. It is unacceptable.” 

Some Republican congressmen have expressed surprise that Bush has tabled requests for huge spending increases at the Pentagon until Rumsfeld completes a strategy review. 

 

Hoping to ease concerns about his commitment, senior administration officials have said they expect Bush to seek additional military funding after Rumsfeld’s review is completed, most likely this summer. Bush’s first three trips this week are also an attempt to show that his interest in the Pentagon isn’t flagging. 

He shook hands with dozens of soldiers, both here and at Hunter Army Airfield, and played to the crowd in a speech laced with familiar references. He shouting “Hooah!” — the traditional Army greeting — and addressed 3rd Infantry soldiers by their beloved nickname, “Dog-faced soldiers.” 

The reception was warm, especially compared to the tepid greeting former President Clinton received on his first military-related trips. Clinton’s highly publicized efforts to avoid the Vietnam War and his early push to end the ban on gays in the military got him off to a rocky start with the Pentagon brass and some troops. 

Bush avoided the Vietnam War by serving in the Texas Air National Guard, a point that wasn’t raised by a dozen soldiers questioned about their new commander in chief. 

“I like the fact that he wants to raise my pay and improve my living conditions,” said Army Pvt. Don Dills of Gulfport, Miss. 

Jostling for a presidential handshake, Army Pvt. Eric Foiles of Cadott, Wis., paused to say, “I’m hoping he might be able to get us out of the places we don’t need to be. I think we’re spread too wide of an area.” 

Bush lined up with soldiers at a mess hall, dining on lasagna, mashed potatoes and strawberry cake after his entry was greeted by a standing ovation.” 

Master Sgt. Karen Stepp, who served Bush lunch, said she hopes the president keeps his word on pay. 

“Morale is soldiers’ food — you have to feed them,” she said. “Hopefully while he’s in, we can continue to see increases. Hopefully it’s not just a one-time shot.” 

Bush seemed to revel in the day. Boarding Air Force One — the same plane his father flew as president — Bush had a quick look around the familiar aircraft and went to its office, where he donned a presidential flight jacket and did some work, Fleischer said. 

He was accompanied by several lawmakers, including two Democrats: Georgia Sens. Sen. Zell Miller and Max Cleland. 

In his only other flight as president, Bush spoke behind closed doors to lawmakers after flying to Pennsylvania on a small military plane. Aides said he had not requested “Hail to the Chief” sooner because he believes it should be reserved for formal occasions. 

At the opening of his remarks, Bush offered a silent prayer for the victims of the Japanese fishing boat that sank after being hit by a U.S. submarine off Hawaii.