He said U.S. troops, accompanied by those from other nations, will continue to lay the groundwork to stabilize Iraq, which has set up a democratic government and is drafting a constitution with the United Nations' help. Iraqi security forces are being trained, infrastructure rebuilt, suspected terrorists captured and overall progress made, the president said.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, praised Bush's speech, underscoring comments that the fight is moving from primarily American troops to primarily Iraqi troops.

"They're moving in that direction as rapidly as possible, and I think that message very much needed to be heard, not only in this country but abroad," he said.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, agreed.

"We seem to forget how long it took, after major conflict ended, to secure the peace and rebuild in Germany or Japan after World War II, or to end the insurgencies in the Philippines after the war there at the turn of the last century," Bishop said. "What our fighting men and women have accomplished there in such a short time is actually quite remarkable. They are making an impact for freedom that can last for generations to come and will make the world a safer place for all of us."

The president's speech served to remind Americans that sound policy must come with the resolve to see it through, said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

"Any withdrawal before the mission is complete will destroy what the Iraqi people and our nation have worked so hard to accomplish," Hatch said.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, said he stands alongside Bush in supporting the military, "and I will do whatever it takes to ensure their success and safe return. Before that can happen, I think we need an honest assessment of what is working and what is not working in Iraq."

What's happening now is not working, said Salt Lake City resident and Vietnam veteran Lew Ross. The two-time Bush voter's support for the war is waning.

"We support the soldiers who are on the ground — we support those guys to the end," said Ross, a former vice chairman of the National Vietnam Veterans Coalition who remains active in local veterans issues. "But (we) believe, like when we were in Vietnam, that we're being had."

A Vietnam-era veteran-turned-activist views President Bush's speech as an unsuccessful public relations attempt to boost sagging polls.

"We are a lightning rod for terrorists over there, a training ground," said Aaron Davis, president of the Veterans for Peace Chapter 118. "We say, support the warrior, not the war. Support the troops, bring them home now. . . . We don't want them in a shooting gallery for terrorists."

But Parkin said her son would have wanted to see the Iraqi mission through. He had seen the difference freedom was bringing to Iraq and its children. And the American public needs to know that.

"We're there because we need to protect our . . . American soil," Parkin said.

"I think people will understand, I really do. They just need to be reminded every once in awhile," she said. "Freedom isn't free."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com; spang@desnews.com