    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 1, 1991]
    [Pages 91-92]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 91]]

    Remarks to Community Members at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in
    North Carolina
    February 1, 1991

        Thank you very much for that warm welcome. And it's a wonderful
    honor to be introduced by Ms. Hearney, whose husband is doing such an
    outstanding job for the country. Let me salute the Secretary of the
    Navy, Larry Garrett; of course, General Al Gray, upon whom I depend so
    much as a member of the Joint Chiefs; and General Mundy and General
    Richwine and Colonel McDyre and, of course, Governor Martin, the
    Governor of this great State--an old friend, Jim Martin; and Mrs. Krulak
    and Mrs. Sutton; families and friends and members of ``the few, the
    proud, the Marines.''
        There's a song which speaks of ``Carolina in the Morning.'' Well, I
    am very pleased to be here this morning to salute all of you who form
    the magnificent Carolina MAGTF [Marine Air Ground Task Force].
        Admiral Bull Halsey--if you'll forgive me, a Navy man--[laughter]--
    once called you ``not merely the elite Corps of this country but the
    elite Corps of this world.'' And I agree. Let me tell you, it's a real
    privilege--and I mean that--to be at a home base of the United States
    Marine Corps.
        For 216 years, the corps has helped write the story of America. And
    today--in wartime, as in peacetime--you write that story still. It is
    the story of Semper Fi--Always Faithful--to the liberty which set men
    free.
        My squadron helped cover the landings at Guam and Saipan, and I was
    way up there and those marines were way down there. And I saw their
    courage then, firsthand. Think of the marines storming the beaches at
    Iwo; or taking the shell-torn ridges at Chosin, Guadalcanal; patrolling
    the skies from Okinawa to Korea; and now in Saudi Arabia.
        As I said Tuesday night in my State of the Union speech, to be an
    American means writing new chapters in this story. It means enlisting in
    the cause of liberty and undertaking the hard work of freedom--a cause
    which, today in the Persian Gulf, your colleagues, friends, above all,
    families have bravely and willingly borne as marines have always done.
        It comes as little surprise that the first ground engagement in the
    Gulf involved marines. It comes as no surprise that the marines fought
    with great distinction and fought very bravely. Their professionalism
    and sacrifice will end the nightmare--I'm absolutely confident of that--
    will end the nightmare of Iraq's brutal occupation and ensure that
    Kuwait is once again free.
        What's this T-shirt up here?
        No, but their courage and commitment will help punish aggression and
    protect our new world order from the tyranny of ruthless dictators with
    no concern for human life.
        We're now more than 2 weeks into Operation Desert Storm. My report
    to you today is that we are on course, we are on schedule, and things go
    well. Day by day, night by night, Iraq's capacity to wage war is being
    systematically destroyed by U.S. and coalition military forces. And our
    investment, our training, and our planning are paying off. And yes,
    achieving our goals will require time and sacrifice, but we will
    prevail--make no mistake about that. And when we do--and when we do, we
    will have taught a dangerous tyrant and those few who would follow in
    his footsteps that there is no place for lawless aggression in this
    critical region and in the new world order that we seek to create.
        Every day, I think of our brave service men and women like the 2d
    Marine Airwing, 11 squadrons and 2 battalions deployed in the Gulf; the
    2d Marine Division; and the 2d Force Service Support Group. Ninety
    percent of their members are deployed in the Gulf. And they, too,
    believe in a cause larger than themselves. And most of all, we think of
    all those who have given the last full measure of devotion, and I will
    always keep a place in my heart for the memories and especially for the
    families of these American heroes.
        I'm told that not far from here yellow ribbons stretch as far as the
    eye can see.

    [[Page 92]]

    And they show what a former President, a former general, Dwight
    Eisenhower, meant when he said, ``Morale is the greatest single factor
    in successful wars.'' The communities of Jacksonville and Havelock care.
    And so, like communities all across America, they've joined hands to
    support military troops and their families. And I think of your schools,
    touching troops with their letters and their love. And the ``Key Wives
    Program,'' linking families and hearts. And if there's anyone around
    this country who wonders what we're fighting for, they need look no
    farther than right here in this room.
        Unfortunately, there are no medals of valor for military families.
    If there were, there would be as much decoration on your chests as there
    is pride within them. Two weeks ago, a monument was dedicated a mile
    from here. It has five service seals and this inscription: ``Operation
    Desert Storm: This beacon burning bright is a constant reminder of
    Havelock's home fires burning in support of our military men and women
    and their families.'' To all of you--spouses, children, parents, loved
    ones, marines--you're doing more than just keeping the home fires
    burning. Your dedication and bravery is lighting the heart--believe me--
    it is lighting the heart of every American. You're hastening the day
    when your men and women will come home. And let me repeat this to the
    families: We will stay in the Gulf for as long as necessary, but not one
    day longer than it takes us to complete this mission.
        Today, in the Gulf, marines are enduring much to keep America strong
    and great. Let me leave you with words that were written more than a
    century ago. Back then, the marines had just landed on another distant
    shore, and a reporter wrote, ``The Marines have landed, and the
    situation is well in hand.'' Nothing has changed, and nothing will.
        You know, I heard on the radio, ``The President is going to North
    Carolina to lift the morale of the people.'' Let me assure you, it's the
    other way around after seeing this group.
        So, thank you, thank you for your support. God bless you and this
    great country. And most of all, God bless the finest soldiers, sailors,
    airmen, coastguardsmen, and marines any nation has ever had. Thank you
    very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 8:43 a.m. in a hangar
                            at the air station. In his remarks, he referred
                            to Maggie Hearney, wife of Richard D. Hearney,
                            commanding general, 2d Marine Air Wing;
                            Secretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett II;
                            Gen. A.M. Gray, Jr., Marine Corps commandant;
                            Lt. Gen. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., commanding general,
                            Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic; Brig. Gen. David
                            A. Richwine, commanding general, Marine Corps
                            Air Station, Cherry Point; Col. Daniel B.
                            McDyre, commander, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing; Gov.
                            James G. Martin of North Carolina; Zandra
                            Krulak, wife of Brig. Gen. Charles C. Krulak,
                            commanding general, 2d Forces Service Support
                            Group; Linda Sutton, wife of Brig. Gen. Russell
                            H. Sutton, Director, Operations Division, Plans,
                            Policies, and Operations Department; and
                            President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Following his
                            remarks, President Bush traveled to Goldsboro,
                            NC.