COLORADO SPRINGS - A veteran of three wars - World War II, Korea and Vietnam - 73-year-old George Froemke said donating blood was the least he could do to support the troops in Iraq.

So did 64-year-old Mary Esteve, who in a bright red sweater and with her trusty black guide dog by her side, stood out among the sea of blue smocks that swirled around inside the Arnold Hall ballroom at the Air Force Academy during its blood drive to support wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I came to donate because it's the least I can do to support the soldiers in Iraq," said Esteve, a blind Colorado Springs resident whose dog of eight years, Astrid, was recovering from cancer surgery the day before. "That, and say a prayer for them."

With a ratio of one civilian to every uniformed donor, local residents said they came to support the soldiers at a time when support for President Bush and the war in Iraq is waning.

"We've received a tremendous amount of support," said Col. Frederick Nebiker, looking over the activity in the cavernous hall. "We anticipate an even better turnout than last year. This is an important way for the average individual to contribute to the war effort."

Marvin O. Meyers, a retired rocket scientist who worked on the Titan I and Titan II missiles, said he feels for the "guys and girls out there" at war.

"We may disagree with what's going on in Iraq, but we need to be extra supportive now, more than ever," he said.

Meyers said Bush also needed extra support from Americans as Democrats push to end the war, now entering its fifth year.

When Monday's drive ended at 8 p.m., 509 units of blood had been collected.