Courtesy Photo | First lady Laura Bush is introduced to service members at Ali Al Salem Airbase,...... read more read more
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By Gunnery Sgt. Chris W. Cox and Sgt. 1st Class Paul Tuttle
1st Sustainment Command Theater
ALI AL SALEM AIRBASE, Kuwait – First lady of the United States, Laura Bush, visited with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines Thursday as a part of her Middle East tour of countries to promote women's rights and health issues.
The staging area through which more than 700,000 U.S. troops flying into and out of Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, was transformed from a military marshalling area into a venue packed waiting for the first lady. Tents normally used as waiting areas were emptied of chairs, desks and even walls to make room for a stage where Mrs. Bush addressed the hundreds of assembled service members.
She told the troops they earned the respect and gratitude of the American people and of the president of the United States for what they have accomplished.
"At the heart of your mission to protect America's freedom is securing the freedom of others," she said. "Because of our men and women in uniform, 50 million people who once lived in tyranny can now choose the future direction of their countries – and their own lives."
She reminded them that Ali Al Salem is the first base that Kuwaiti and American flags flew side by side and spoke of the progress of Kuwait as an emerging democracy in today's world and Kuwaitis' gratitude for America's assistance in establishing it.
"Two years ago, Kuwaiti women achieved the right to vote," she said. "Yesterday, I met with women political leaders who are working to expand their representation in Kuwait's parliament."
She said, "During our meeting – more than 15 years after American troops helped drive Saddam Hussein's army from Kuwait – a Kuwaiti government official told me, 'We will never, ever forget' America's liberation of Kuwait. 'It's engraved in our hearts and in our history books.'"
Mrs. Bush said that her trip has been devoted to bringing awareness of breast cancer. She visited allied nations in the Middle East, Oct. 19, to speak to women and leaders about the accomplishments and direction of the U.S.-Middle East partnership for breast cancer awareness and research.
The Partnership is a collaboration whose purpose is to hold training workshops and discussions about breast cancer and to establish community outreach in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
"Through this initiative, American cancer hospitals will join with cancer hospitals here in the Gulf area to expand research – to find out why there's a higher incidence of breast cancer diagnosed at a younger age across the Middle East," she said. "And the initiative will work to raise awareness of breast cancer and help women across the Middle East take charge of their own health – by seeking screenings so that they can detect cancer in its earliest stages."
Prior to visiting Kuwait, Mrs. Bush was hosted in Abu Dhabi by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak – wife of United Arab Emirates president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, and one of the founders of the UAE women's foundation. She visited Dubai and Jordan and was hosted by King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia where she officially launched the Breast Cancer Partnership program in that country.
Although Kuwait is not currently a Breast Cancer Partnership country, Mrs. Bush stopped to meet with Amir Al-Sabah, president of Kuwait, to showcase other programs dedicated to women's rights in that nation and visit the troops there.
After her address, Mrs. Bush met and shook hands with the men and women and posed with those who brought their personal cameras to the event.
Her tour will conclude in Jordan later this week.
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2007 15:59 |
| Story ID: | 13340 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 487 |
| Downloads: | 455 |
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