President Bush used a moment in his speech Tuesday night to do something Kennedy-esque. He asked Americans – all Americans – do something to help out in the battle against terrorists and for freedom. “In this time of testing, our troops can know: The American people are behind you,” Mr. Bush said. “Next week, our nation has an opportunity to make sure that support is felt by every soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guardsman, and Marine at every outpost across the world. This Fourth of July, I ask you to find a way to thank the men and women defending our freedom – by flying the flag, sending a letter to our troops in the field, or helping the military family down the street. The Department of Defense has set up a website – AmericaSupportsYou.mil. You can go there to learn about private efforts in your own community.”

It’s a wonderful idea. New Yorkers have a long tradition of supporting the troops, right down to the famous sign at Katz’s delicatessen on Houston Street, dating from World War II, urging, “Send a Salami To Your Boy In The Army.” The Internet brings this interaction between the troops and the home front to a new level of immediacy. The Web site the president mentioned allows Americans to send messages of support to the troops. It also provides links to Web sites of charities that Americans can use to send care packages to soldiers, to help soldiers pay for phone calls home, and to donate frequent flyer miles to help wounded service members and their families.

AmericaSupportsYou.mil even allows troops a chance to respond to the messages from their home state. Those responses from the troops are inspiring in their own right. A petty officer first class in the Navy, Kufere Usanga of the Bronx, wrote, “I just want to say to the American people that I appreciate all your efforts to support us. Freedom is worth dying for, and we are here to go that extra mile if we have to, for your sake. Thank you for your support. It feels good to know that you guys appreciate what we do. A General once said ‘If there will be war, let it be now so my children will live in peace.’ I love you guys and God Bless The USA.”

“Freedom is worth dying for.” There was a thought shared by those 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence who on July 4, 1776, pledged “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” That it endures today in the hearts not only of American troops overseas but also of Iraqis who are fighting alongside them for freedom is cause for optimism this July 4 weekend.