"SUPPORT OUR TROOPS...":

1,215 troops in Iraq mark 4th of July by re-enlisting (Washington Times, July 5, 2008)

More than 1,000 American troops serving in Iraq celebrated Independence Day by signing up Friday for extended service in the military.

At least 1,215 service members, including at least two husband-and-wife couples, re-enlisted for periods ranging from two to six years at the ceremony held at Camp Victory, which used to be the spacious Al-Faw palace of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Gen. David H. Petraeus, the head of U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, said he was "proud of their decision to re-enlist and help the people of Iraq win their most important battle ... freedom." The soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen then broke into "God Bless America."