Pentagon Meetings Yield Information For America Supports You
There was a large turn out at the third summit meeting of America Supports You. More than one hundred eighty representatives of one hundred twenty two support and troop assistance groups were in attendance. They listened to speakers from among their group, and also speakers from various departments including the Department of State, and the Defense Department.
Different ways to assist each other, and boost the level of troop support being offered were discussed. Allison Barber, the Department of Defense’s Deputy Assistant Secretary opened the conference and welcomed each of the different attendees. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is scheduled to address the conference at the end of the summit.
Barber spoke to the group about how the expectations for the America Supports You program were modest at first. “We did not have any clue about how fast or how much this program would grow,†Barber said in her address. “We wanted to join together support from the corporate sector and private sources to show support for women and men in uniform,†said Barber.
“We just were amazed that this wonderful network would all come together,†stated Barber. “It has grown into a network for families at home and troops in the field,†remarked Barber.
Assistant Secretary Barber was the founder of the America Supports You idea, and has been key in its implementation in the Department of Defense. “We direct Americans who wish to support their troops to the web site for America Supports You, and it you people and your individual groups who are really making the difference helping support troops,†said Barber.
