LAS VEGAS -- Retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf on Saturday urged all Americans to support U.S. troops fighting in Iraq, saying the soldiers are doing their duty.
"They do it because your country, your country, asked them to," Schwarzkopf told several hundred members of the American Legislative Exchange Council. "And that makes it the right thing."
Schwarzkopf, who commanded U.S. forces in the 1991 Persian Gulf war that ended Iraq's brief occupation of Kuwait, shared advice on leadership with the group of conservative state lawmakers Saturday at The Venetian hotel-casino.
In his speech, Schwarzkopf noted that in the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, American flags could be seen everywhere, from houses to cars.
"I haven't seen so much of it lately," Schwarzkopf said.
Clutching the American flag at the center of the stage, Schwarzkopf said there are many meanings of the flag. For America's critics, he said, the flag is something to spit on or burn. For others, the flag symbolizes prosperity and the country's commitment to technology, space travel and medical advances.
"But you know what? They're all wrong," he said. "Sure, this is America, but what this is is you.
"Our greatness is you and the American people."
Schwarzkopf also urged the crowd not to forget the nearly 3,000 people who died in the World Trade Center.
"Now we are at war. Now more than ever we need your leadership," Schwarzkopf said. "We can do anything with the support of our country. We can do anything."
"And don't forget our troops," he said. "God Almighty, they're there for only one reason -- to protect you."
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