America Supports You: Former Marine Climbs to Thank Troops

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2005 – "I know it's tough over there, and I wanted to show my appreciation by doing something tough here," said Doug Moss, a Web designer at the Pentagon.

Pentagon Web designer Doug Moss holds an "America Supports You" sign Feb. 20 at the summit of New Hampshire's Mount Washington. Moss, a former Marine, made the climb with former co-worker Bob Nelson, right, to show support for deployed U.S. troops by doing something difficult in tribute to the sacrifices they make for the nation. "America Supports You" is a Defense Department program through which Americans can show their support for the nation's armed forces. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

What Moss and a friend did was climb New Hampshire's Mount Washington on one of the coldest days of the year.

On Feb. 20, Moss and former co-worker Bob Nelson climbed 6,280 feet to Mount Washington's summit. When the men reached the top, the temperature was minus 15 degrees and the wind chill was minus 53.

This didn't stop Moss from breaking out his "America Supports You" sign. "I had to take my gloves off to get the sign out of my pack," he said. "In just that short time, I couldn't close my fist."

"America Supports You" is a Defense Department program to show U.S. troops serving in the global war on terror how people across the country are expressing their support for the nation's men and women in uniform.

Moss, a Marine Corps Desert Storm veteran, said he relished the challenge. "I just wanted the troops to know that I understand what they are going through," he said. "I wanted to show support for the troops through a challenging method."

Moss, 38, spent six years in the Marine Corps. His most recent Web product was a page in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Mount Washington is considered the windiest place on Earth. A reading in the 1930s had regular winds in excess of 200 miles per hour. More climbers have died on Mount Washington than on Mount Everest.

Moss and Nelson went up via the Lion's Head Trail and Tuckerman's Trail.

Interestingly, on the other side of the mountain is a road leading to a weather station on the summit. Cars even sport a bumper sticker boasting of having made the climb. But "where's the challenge in that?" Moss asked.