Romney defends 5 sons' lack of military service They support the country by 'helping me get elected,' he says

Mitt Romney pours a milkshake during a campaign stop Wednesday at the Wilton Candy Kitchen in Wilton, Iowa. Mitt Romney pours a milkshake during a campaign stop Wednesday at the Wilton Candy Kitchen in Wilton, Iowa. Photo: CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, ASSOCIATED PRESS Photo: CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, ASSOCIATED PRESS Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Romney defends 5 sons' lack of military service 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

BETTENDORF, Iowa — Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons' decision not to enlist in the military, saying they're showing their support for the country by "helping me get elected."

Romney, who did not serve in Vietnam due to his Mormon missionary work and a high draft lottery number, was asked the question by an anti-war activist after a speech in which he called for "a surge of support" for U.S. forces in Iraq.

"The good news is that we have a volunteer Army and that's the way we're going to keep it," the former Massachusetts governor told some 200 people gathered in an abbey near the Mississippi River that had been converted into a hotel.

"My sons are all adults and they've made decisions about their careers and they've chosen not to serve in the military and active duty and I respect their decision in that regard."

He added: "One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president."

Romney's five sons range in age from 26 to 37 and have worked as real estate developers, sports marketers and advertising executives. They are now actively campaigning for their father.

Romney noted that his middle son, 36-year-old Josh, was completing a recreational vehicle tour of all 99 Iowa counties on Wednesday and said, "I respect that and respect all those and the way they serve this great country."

The woman who asked the question, Rachel Griffiths, 41, of Milan, Ill., identified herself as a member of Quad City Progressive Action for the Common Good as well as the sister of an Army major who had served in Iraq.

"Of course not," Griffiths said when asked if she was satisfied with Romney's answer. "He told me the way his son shows support for our military and our nation is to buy a Winnebago and ride across Iowa and help him get elected."

Rival John McCain's son, Jimmy, a 19 -year-old Marine, is either in Iraq or is heading there shortly, and another son, Jack, is at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.