Troops Turn Out In Droves to Vote . . . Yea Team!!

[82nd Airborne Dad]

Troops Turn Out In Droves To Vote

Associated Press
October 29, 2004


TOKYO - From the flight deck of the USS Kitty Hawk to the barracks of Camp Zama, next week's U.S. presidential election has a special resonance for America's troops abroad. With a war raging and the race just days away, the turnout in Japan, a major military outpost, is expected to be heavy.


"This is something that is on a lot of sailors' minds, definitely," said Lt. Brooke Dewalt, a public affairs officer on the Kitty Hawk, the only aircraft carrier in th U.S. Navy that has its home port outside of the United States. "Making sure they can vote is a very high priority for us."

Along with electing a president, next Tuesday's vote will also decide whether President George W. Bush or challenger John Kerry assumes the title of commander in chief.

In Japan, one of the largest stations away from home for U.S. troops not in combat, the results will directly impact tens of thousands of troops and their families.

Nearly 50,000 troops, including the largest contingent of Marines based abroad and a major air base on the southern island of Okinawa, are in Japan under a mutual security pact. Japan is also home to the U.S. 7th Fleet, the largest in the Navy. Some 20,000 sailors and Marines are assigned to the 21-ship fleet, though they are away from port roughly six months out of the year.

Military personnel assigned overseas are treated much like other absentee voters. They must register in advance with their hometowns in the United States, and then await their ballot in the mail.

Dewalt said officers aboard the Kitty Hawk began a drive to register voters several months ago, while the aircraft carrier was still at sea. It is now back in port in Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo.

"We have constant reminders onboard about voting - don't forget to register, don't forget to vote," he said. "We've had exceptional participation, registering more than 2,000 sailors."

Dewalt noted that for many of the sailors - who average 19-20 years of age - this will be their first presidential election. The carrier has roughly 5,000 sailors aboard.

"Everyone has access to the news," he said. "We're inundated with it. It's something a lot of sailors are talking about."

Registration was also high among soldiers at the U.S. Army's Japan headquarters.

"I would say interest in this election is very high," said Sgt. Nathan Maxfield, a voter assistance representative at Camp Zama, a small base southwest of Tokyo. "Hardly any of us are able to be home for the elections, so we've got a whole system set up to help people register."

Maxfield said the process has been smooth.

"Most people have already gotten their ballots," Maxfield said. "I already sent mine back."

To help soldiers figure out the voting process, assistance officers are assigned to each unit to answer questions and provide write-in ballots for anyone whose regular ballot doesn't arrive in time. Maxfield said he was unaware of any problems in meeting the demand for such ballots so far.

"Some people were panicking that they might not get their absentee ballots in time," Maxfield said. "But that doesn't seem to be a problem."

He said that although encouraged to register and vote, the actual decision is a private matter left up to each soldier.

[God bless 'em all . . . ]

[cranny11]

I spent much of this summer making sure both Airmen and soldiers were registered to vote in their respective counties... I can also say that it is a very daunting task to ensure everyone is completly registered. I feel it is very worth while though as I know many of our countrymen would not be voting if I havent made the nessecary steps.

God Bless this place and help Pres. Bush win this reelection!!!

[82nd Airborne Dad]

Originally Posted by cranny11

I spent much of this summer making sure both Airmen and soldiers were registered to vote in their respective counties... I can also say that it is a very daunting task to ensure everyone is completly registered. I feel it is very worth while though as I know many of our countrymen would not be voting if I havent made the nessecary steps.

God Bless this place and help Pres. Bush win this reelection!!!

Thank you very much for your efforts to get that done. It is a deed worth every possible effort!! Karma points for you!!

[cranny11]

Originally Posted by 82nd Airborne Dad

Thank you very much for your efforts to get that done. It is a deed worth every possible effort!! Karma points for you!!

Thank you very Much.... I dont know if you are part of the Swift Boat thingy... But I really believe in the book and I found the book very intriguing and couldnt put it down... something about the power of 250 men compared to one non taditional thinker

[82nd Airborne Dad]

Let's say I am a follower and a member of nearly all anti-kerry organizations . . .

God bless the Swift Vets

[cranny11]

I am a fourth generation soldier from both my American Fathers side, and my Mother's British side... I stand firm and proud and do not regret anything I, my father, or my Grandfathers have done for both of our countries. I can't stand Kerry... I hate myself more that I make a judgement like that to someone... None of the men in my family was falsely awarded a medal... and they came home proud enough not to throw their medals away. My butt was beat if I came home making up fibs, and total lies... maybe Kerry was one of the new generations where they got their noses in the corner instead of the beating we all need.

[AT3Weins]

I'm very pleased to see our military taking the time to register and to vote in this election.