[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.