    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 17, 1991]
    [Pages 279-281]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Community Welcome for Returning Troops in Sumter, South
    Carolina
    March 17, 1991

        Thank you all. Thank you all very, very much. Thank you, Governor
    Campbell, thank you so very much. And thank you all for that warm
    welcome. Mayor Creech, thank you, sir. The City Council Chairman Gray, I
    thank you. To Senator Hollings and the distinguished Members of the
    House of Representatives who are with us today; my thanks to Nancy
    Thurmond, whose husband is away overseas, but one of the strongest
    supporters the military ever had--Senator Strom Thurmond, my thanks to
    him. And, General Olsen, to you, sir, my respects--just back from superb
    service overseas. I'm delighted to be on this platform with you.
        But most of all, thank you, Sumter. What a fantastic welcome. Thank
    you for your courage. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your
    example. And thank you for showing all what a great land this is. And
    thank you for letting me come and share in this, my first, but this
    wonderful reunion. I couldn't be happier to be here. Thank you.
        What is it, what is it about Sumter and Sumter County that breeds
    war heroes? In this century alone, you have supplied some of our
    greatest warrior-citizens. General George Mabrey, who died just last
    year, was the second most decorated soldier in the history of the United
    States. And as many of you know, he helped train a young lieutenant
    colonel in Vietnam, and that colonel was General Norman Schwarzkopf.
        And of course, the coalition victory in Kuwait would not have been
    possible without General Chuck Horner. Mary Jo, we are delighted that
    you're here with us today.

    [[Page 280]]

    Now stand up--[applause]. You see, for those of you who didn't follow
    it--and that's not many--General Horner merged people and plane from 30
    bases here in the United States, 6 Navy carriers, the Marines, and 9
    allied nations into a seamless theater air force. And he mapped out the
    most intense, most successful air assault in history. And we are very
    grateful to him. You see, it was that powerful, precise air assault that
    helped coalition forces crush Saddam's war machine, while sparing
    innocent Iraqi citizens and while saving allied lives. Can you think of
    a better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Shaw Air Force Base
    than this? I can't. It is fantastic.
        You don't have to wear a star to be a hero. We're surrounded by such
    people today. Let's start with the mother of all units at Shaw, the
    headquarters. [Laughter] The 9th Air Force and the U.S. Central Command
    Air Forces. And let's thank the 363d Tactical Fighter Wing. [Applause]
    Look at these guys. And let's thank the 507th Tactical Air Control Wing.
    [Applause] And all the other units and tenant units here. And let's not
    forget other South Carolinians--the McIntyre Air National Guard Unit and
    the forces from all across this great State.
        For those of you who are a little groggy from last night's flight
    home, welcome home. We're delighted to have you all back. I can't tell
    you how proud we are of each and every one of you. And to all our
    servicemen all across this country, we say thank you. And to the
    veterans of every conflict, we say thank you. And let this new spirit in
    our country give proper recognition to the Vietnam veterans. Their time
    has come.
        And to all of those who have returned from overseas, God bless you.
    Please stand up so we can see each and every one of you. There they are.
    [Applause] And to those who toil still over there, God bless them, too.
    You know, you all not only helped liberate Kuwait, you helped this
    country liberate itself from old ghosts and doubts. And when you left,
    it was still fashionable to question America's decency, America's
    courage, America's resolve. No one, no one in the whole world doubts us
    anymore.
        What you did, you helped us revive the America of our old hopes and
    dreams. And this nation learned something else during Desert Storm: You
    don't have to wear a uniform to be a war hero. Here, crowded on the
    bleachers, and out there in the field are heroes and heroines of all
    ages--mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, neighbors, friends.
    And while you in the service were overseas--I've never seen anything
    like it--the loved ones and even strangers all across our great country
    hung out yellow ribbons, unfurled flags, sent letters and gifts to those
    of you overseas. And while you service men and women fought on distant
    sands, those you left behind talked and prayed. And I know that every
    little thought, every good wish, every whispered prayer somehow echoed
    in the hearts of the fighters far away. No one understands this magic,
    but it is the kind of blessing that enables good people to accomplish
    great deeds.
        But there is something very, very special about Sumter's sacrifice
    and its triumph, and you all know it. I had the pleasure of visiting
    here in 1988. And since then, Hurricane Hugo ripped through 12,000 homes
    in this area, destroyed nearly $700-million worth of property in its
    high winds and pouring rains, shredded your homes and your
    neighborhoods, turned trees into tinder. Sumter gathered its strength
    after the storm and began literally to pick up the pieces.
        But just as things seemed to be turning around, the war erupted. And
    you did something extraordinary. You sent many of your finest men and
    women to serve. Troops departed. Reservists left their workplaces. And
    some people, newly married, were separated by war. Mothers bore children
    to fathers who looked across the horizon at an unseen foe.
        Captain Dale Cormier died fighting for his country. And Captain
    Spike Thomas had to be plucked behind enemy lines. And, Captain Thomas,
    it's great to see you here today, sir. Where is he? And while you're all
    standing, let me also salute Lieutenant Neck Dodson, who led your
    rescue. We're glad he's here, too.
        And as the war loomed, you in Sumter did not give in to despair or
    fear. You re-

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    cruited new businesses and new jobs, and while the troops were away, you
    continued to build a new city, a better city--a city that is more like a
    large family. And you planted the seeds of prosperity among hardship's
    ruin. And I've talked in recent weeks about America's renewal, and today
    you feel it. You see it all around us here today.
        And I'm amazed but never surprised at the incredible things our
    people do. Our success in the war showed that we take a backseat to no
    one when it comes to courage, ingenuity, dedication to principle. But it
    also showed that we do great things when we trust our people. We would
    not have enjoyed such success if someone had tried to micromanage the
    war from Washington, DC. We entrusted the operations to Sumter's
    products and heirs, and look where we are today.
        And I'm proud to say that we did it without arrogance around the
    world. We led without gloating or arrogance. And I think that's an
    American tradition as well.
        You know--let me just say this in finale--look around you. Here is
    today's triumph but also tomorrow's hope. Here's what we fight for:
    family, friends. Here is what we love.
        Thank you again for letting me be a part of this emotional
    homecoming. I'll never forget it as long as I live. God bless each and
    every one of you. Thank you very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 4:32 p.m. at Sumter
                            Memorial Stadium. In his remarks, he referred to
                            Gov. Carroll A. Campbell of South Carolina;
                            Stephen M. Creech, mayor of Sumter; Rubin Gray,
                            chairman of the Sumter County Council; Senator
                            Ernest F. Hollings; Nancy Thurmond, wife of
                            Senator Strom Thurmond; Maj. Gen. Thomas Olsen,
                            vice commander, 9th Air Force and Central
                            Command Forces; Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf,
                            commander of the U.S. forces in the Persian
                            Gulf; Mary Jo Horner, wife of Lt. Gen. Charles
                            Horner, commander, 9th Air Forces and Central
                            Command Air Forces; President Saddam Hussein of
                            Iraq; and Capt. Dale Cormier, Capt. Spike
                            Thomas, and Lt. Neck Dodson, servicemen
                            stationed at Fort Sumter.