In the Midwest, soldiers will speak of aiding flood victims and providing relief supplies and logistical support. In the South, they will talk about helping during and after hurricanes. In North Carolina veterans will speak of delivering medical supplies, transportation support, and emergency power during the hurricane season of '99. Nationwide, they might tell you about their work with the Army Civil Works Program, producing 25 percent of our nation's hydropower, and providing water to about 10 million people. Veterans are also making a difference in our high school Junior ROTC programs, teaching our young people about patriotism, leadership skills, and responsibility.
Veterans volunteer as firefighters and emergency medical technicians and work in literacy programs.
Today, these values are the cornerstones of all training our soldiers receive and the standard against which behavior is measured. These are the same values that shaped our Army at Valley Forge, at Normandy, in the sands of Kuwait, in the streets of Mogadishu, and at the checkpoints in Bosnia. Values are the American soldiers' credentials, just as our soldiers are America's credentials, both at home and around the globe. So after you read this, stand a little taller, be a little more proud, go out and spread the word. In doing so, you can help reconnect the American people with those who serve in the military.