Romney donates $25,000 amid plea for patriotic `surge'

BOSTON --A father's concern about U.S. support for the military surge in Iraq has prompted Republican Mitt Romney to both make a $25,000 donation to a variety of military support agencies and urge Americans to engage in a similar display of patriotism.

The money will be divided between USO Care Packages, the Fisher House, A Soldiers Wish List, Packages from Home, Operation Thank You, Operation Shoebox and America Supports You.

Links to each site have been placed on Romney's presidential campaign Web site, http://www.mittromney.com.

"At a time when American families and individuals are making a surge of sacrifice to support this troop surge, I think it's time for American citizens and politicians to make a surge of support," Romney said Wednesday in Pelham, N.H., a comment he repeated throughout the day.

Romney is a multimillionaire who gives heavily to charity. He said he recognized everyone may not be able to donate substantially, and he said none of his rivals should be criticized if they give less.

"This is a personal matter between my wife and family and I," the former Massachusetts governor said. "Different people have different financial circumstances. This is a personal thing."

Romney said he got the idea last month after speaking with the father of a serviceman in Colorado Springs, Colo. He said the father complained that homefront criticism of the war effort was demoralizing.

Afterward, Romney spoke with a nephew in the armed forces, Doug Robinson, who suggested there should be a "surge of support" to go along with the troop surge.