Legion members say they stand by Bush

ST. LOUIS -- American Legion members who gathered to hear President Bush speak at their national convention Tuesday know the trials of conflict firsthand. They've fought and killed, lost family members and friends. And many believe the country needs to have patience as the United States works to stabilize Iraq.

"It's just a tough way to go, trying to figure out how to get out of there without losing the region," said Steve Lugenbeel of Crestview, Fla. The 59-year-old was in the Air Force for 22 years, specializing in bomb disposal. His son-in-law served overseas during the Iraq conflict, as a cargo aircraft pilot, and returned home safely.

About 6,000 people heard the president speak at the legion's 85th national conference at America's Center convention center here. The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veteran's group with about 2.8 million members.

Lugenbeel, like several veterans, said he supported the tough choices Bush has made regarding Iraq. Still, he said the United States is losing too many soldiers now. He said efforts need to be concentrated on getting a new government and improved infrastructure in place, so Iraqis can govern their own nation.

But, he said, both Bush and his father excelled at letting "the military be the military."

"Look at how many lives we didn't lose" in both the Persian Gulf War and the war with Iraq, Lugenbeel said, comparing the casualties to the more than 50,000 Americans who died during the Vietnam War.

But the losses of war stay with Legion members.

Helen Reynolds, 72, of Elma, N.Y., worked for the Navy in New York hospitals during the Korean War. Her five brothers served in World War II, she said, and one of them was killed in the North Pacific.

She said she supports Bush but still feels for the troops overseas.

"They are so young," she said. "It's like any war," she said. "Somebody has to be killed."