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BRIEF: After a two-week holiday at his Crawford Ranch, President Bush told troops at Fort Hood Army Base today that if sent to fight in Iraq, they would be there to "liberate" people, not "conquer" them. Some activists say a war on Iraq would devastate that nation. The country has been severely weakened by years of harsh sanctions that have denied their residents the medicine and supplies needed to rebuild. Despite the "challenges" and "dangers" of a possible war, Bush, in his own words, said "this generation of Americans is ready." Nearly 80 percent of active duty personnel are under the age of 35. About North Korea, Bush expressed optimism that a possible conflict can be resolved through diplomatic means. Fort Hood is home to more than 40,000 troops. A little more than half that number from the base participated in the last full-scale war against Iraq. The base is the largest in the country: 340 square miles of hills and rocky terrain typical of other areas in Central Texas. Fort Hood is the only U.S. army base big enough to station two armored divisions at the same time. E-mail Brandon Moeller at brandonmoeller@hotmail.com . This story was broadcast on January 3, 2003.