President Barack Obama received a rousing welcome at Elmendorf Air Force Base on Nov. 12 from some 2,000 military troops and their families, who cheered as he saluted their service to their country, and promised them the nation's support.
"Of all the privileges I have as president, I have no greater honor than serving as your commander-in-chief," Obama told the crowd, most attired in military fatigues.
Obama also saluted military spouses, calling them the backbone of the military families.
"And I'm thrilled to see the kids who are here today - hey, guys, thank you," he said. "I know you're proud of your mom and dad, but we're all proud of you, too."
The visit to Alaska a state that houses a large military population was just after Veteran's Day.
Obama told the soldiers and their families that he would increase the nation's defense budget, and that the millions of dollars earmarked for defense will be spent properly, with more funds allocated to help military families.
He saluted them for the sacrifices they make in service of their nation, noting that many of those packed into the Air Force hangar were far from home.
"I want you guys to understand I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests," Obama said. "But I also make you this promise: I will not risk your lives unless it is necessary to American's vital interest. And if it is necessary, the United States of America will have your back. We will give you the strategy and the clear mission you deserve. We will give you the equipment and support that you need to get the job done. And that includes public support back home."
He noted that First Lady Michelle Obama has been visiting bases around the country.
"Your family is a priority for our family," he said. "So we're increasing pay. We're increasing childcare. We're increasing support to help spouses and families deal with the stress and separation of war."
Obama also promised more support on the home front for returning service members suffering from war injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. And he said his administration would fund the Post-9/11 GI Bill, to give military families the chance to pursue educational dreams.
The president also paid tribute to the service members and their families who became casualties in Fort Hood, where an Army psychiatrist allegedly killed 13 and wounded dozens of others.
And Obama mentioned by name Marine Cpl. Gregory Fleury, 23, a graduate of Service High School in Anchorage, who died Oct. 26 when two military helicopters collided.
Immediately following his address, Obama spent about 20 minutes mingling with crowds of military families packed into the space in front of the podium. His every move, conversing and shaking hands with the crowd, was recorded by hundreds of cell phone cameras held high in the air by onlookers.
The crowd began gathering at the hangar some two hours before the president's arrival and the Air Force Band of the Pacific entertained, first with jazz melodies from the 1930s and then some hip-hop, which had some in the crowd tapping their feet.
Obama's brief visit to Alaska - his first - came during a refueling stop on his way to Tokyo for an eight-day trip to Asia.
Security was tight as the hangar filled with service members and their families as well as civilians employed on base, but the crowd packed into the area before the podium was all smiles, and armed with cell phones with photo capability.
"It was awesome the way he recognized military families," said Frederica Norman, a military spouse from the Bronx, in New York City, who was there with Sara Crawford, of El Paso, Texas, another military spouse. Their husbands, both with the Army's 4-25th Brigade are deployed in Afghanistan and won't return to the United States until February 2010, they said.
"I was thrilled that he was here," said Barron McLain, a career Alaska Air National Guard officer, who was there with his wife, Allison.
Specialist Kyle Kothstein, a 20-year-old combat engineer and paratrooper who is set to deploy to Afghanistan in March, was there with several other men from his unit, all of whom expressed enthusiasm for Obama's visit. "It's pretty cool to see the president in Alaska," Kothstein said.
"It was amazing," said Specialist Robert Wyzanski, 22, of Boston, another of the combat engineers and paratroopers. "I think he is a great president."
Among the Alaskan politicians attending were Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, and former state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz, who got tickets for himself and his wife from Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. Young, who successfully fought off Berkowitz's attempt to unseat him in the last election, remained in Washington, D.C., through the congressional recess.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was speaking in Kotzebue, and Republican Gov. Sean Parnell opted instead to address a contractors meeting in Anchorage, a speech he had booked several weeks ago, an aide said.
Margaret Bauman can be reached at
margie.bauman@alaskajournal.com.
