Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

To all Soldiers, civilians, retirees and family members:

This week I have decided to forego my usual responses to your questions and address the most important event in the nation that is going to take place Nov. 2.

Exercising our right to vote is one of the most important freedoms we have. We only have to look at what happened Oct. 9, during the election in Afghanistan to realize what this precious freedom cost that country – not only in the lives of its citizens but the lives of United States military and its coalition partners. We can all be proud of what we have helped them accomplish, and this same vote for freedom will take place in Iraq in January.

Afghans lined the streets for 2.5 kilometers in the Maruf district of Kandahar, once a Taliban stronghold. Army Maj. Scott Nelson said, “There are so many election day anecdotes demonstrating the Afghan people’s commitment to peace, whether it was people across the country wearing their best clothes to vote, or the women of Konduz who refused to move when a rocket landed 200 meters from where they were waiting to vote. To leave, they said, would mean the rockets and the people who fired them would win.” Scott also said the Afghans “demonstrated to all Saturday their powerful courage and resolve in the face of terrorist propaganda and threats of intimidation and violence ...” and “This election confirmed that a peaceful political process based on democracy and freedom will always trump terrorist threats and intimidation.”

More than 10 million Afghans registered to vote and it is estimated that more than 80 percent voted in this “a remarkable event,” said the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad ... “if the journey of Afghanistan standing on its own feet and being a successful country is a 10-mile journey, then Afghanistan just passed mile three.”

Voters in the United States do not have to fear rocket attacks or car bombs when they go to the polls. However, we must realize voting is a serious business. Statistics for voting in America have declined by about 10 percent since 1996, when approximately 60 percent of registered voters turned out at the polls for the presidential election. In 2000 the numbers declined to about 51 percent. In El Paso County, of the 353,000 registered voters only 42.13 percent voted in the 2000 election.

This year is a “year of decision.” Whether you vote absentee in your home state, or here in El Paso County, I encourage all of you to exercise that sacred privilege. The Monitor has published information on absentee voting, and early voting locations here in El Paso (See Page 20). If you want to learn the technical aspects of voting electronically, go to the El Paso County Elections Department Web site and learn how to use the system. Then, if you are a registered voter here, go to the early voting locations, or to your polling place Nov. 2.

Soldiers and their families have a great deal at stake as you will select the individual who will lead this nation for the next four years. It is not only your duty, but in your own personal interest, as the winner of the election will make decisions about your own personal future in this global war on terrorism. Department of Army civilians, contractors and those who recognize the impact Fort Bliss has on the economy of El Paso also have a vested interest in voting in this critical period when decisions about installation growth and the restationing of forces coming back from overseas will be made.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 21, 2004

	Troop Talk To all Soldiers, civilians, retirees and family members: This week I have decided to forego my usual responses to your questions and address the most important event in the nation that is going to take place Nov. 2. Exercising our right to vote is one of the most important freedoms we have. We only have to look at what happened Oct. 9, during the election in Afghanistan to realize what this precious freedom cost that country – not only in the lives of its citizens but the lives of United States military and its coalition partners. We can all be proud of what we have helped them accomplish, and this same vote for freedom will take place in Iraq in January. Afghans lined the streets for 2.5 kilometers in the Maruf district of Kandahar, once a Taliban stronghold. Army Maj. Scott Nelson said, “There are so many election day anecdotes demonstrating the Afghan people’s commitment to peace, whether it was people across the country wearing their best clothes to vote, or the women of Konduz who refused to move when a rocket landed 200 meters from where they were waiting to vote. To leave, they said, would mean the rockets and the people who fired them would win.” Scott also said the Afghans “demonstrated to all Saturday their powerful courage and resolve in the face of terrorist propaganda and threats of intimidation and violence ...” and “This election confirmed that a peaceful political process based on democracy and freedom will always trump terrorist threats and intimidation.” More than 10 million Afghans registered to vote and it is estimated that more than 80 percent voted in this “a remarkable event,” said the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad ... “if the journey of Afghanistan standing on its own feet and being a successful country is a 10-mile journey, then Afghanistan just passed mile three.” Voters in the United States do not have to fear rocket attacks or car bombs when they go to the polls. However, we must realize voting is a serious business. Statistics for voting in America have declined by about 10 percent since 1996, when approximately 60 percent of registered voters turned out at the polls for the presidential election. In 2000 the numbers declined to about 51 percent. In El Paso County, of the 353,000 registered voters only 42.13 percent voted in the 2000 election. This year is a “year of decision.” Whether you vote absentee in your home state, or here in El Paso County, I encourage all of you to exercise that sacred privilege. The Monitor has published information on absentee voting, and early voting locations here in El Paso (See Page 20). If you want to learn the technical aspects of voting electronically, go to the El Paso County Elections Department Web site and learn how to use the system. Then, if you are a registered voter here, go to the early voting locations, or to your polling place Nov. 2. Soldiers and their families have a great deal at stake as you will select the individual who will lead this nation for the next four years. It is not only your duty, but in your own personal interest, as the winner of the election will make decisions about your own personal future in this global war on terrorism. Department of Army civilians, contractors and those who recognize the impact Fort Bliss has on the economy of El Paso also have a vested interest in voting in this critical period when decisions about installation growth and the restationing of forces coming back from overseas will be made. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General