[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-

[[Page 281]]

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.