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I thought that that mission and the mission of taking care of those soldiers were my priorities, and I stand by the same today. There wasn't a lot of support for those soldiers.

I think you hear a lot of people say 'I support the troops' and all of that, but I really feel deeply that I do.

My wife and I look for ways to always support the troops, including sending care packages regularly to them.

I take care of military families. Their sacrifices are very real.

I'm a Vietnam veteran. I was here when there was no public support, not just for the effort in Vietnam, for the mission in Vietnam, but for our men and women in uniform.

I volunteered to deploy to Iraq. I was one of the few soldiers who were not on the mandatory deployment roster - close to 3,000 Hawaii soldiers were.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our Armed Forces and first responders serving both at home and abroad in the war against terrorism.

I'm pretty actively involved with the military because I think they're incredible human beings. If I can give back to them for what they're doing for us, it's a good thing. And I think to have happy soldiers, you need to feed them well.

I have repeatedly said, when asked, that if the stories about me helped inspired our troops and rally a nation, then perhaps there was some good.

I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world.