[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[January 14, 1993]
[Pages 2251-2252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at an Armed Forces Salute to the President in Arlington, 
Virginia
January 14, 1993

    Thank you very, very much, Secretary Cheney, Dick, my dear friend. I 
am honored by this salute; very, very grateful to all who participated 
in it, these same troops, many of whom have done so much to welcome 
distinguished visitors to the United States and in every way served 
their country with distinction.
    But you guys have got it backwards. I came over here to thank all of 
you and to salute the members, past and present, of our Armed Forces: 
those who have given their lives, those who have served so honorably and 
so well, and those who serve today around the globe to keep the vigil of 
peace and to hold out the loving arms of the United States to those who 
are hurting.
    Secretary Cheney has served with great distinction. I asked him to 
leave the United States Congress to take on this tremendous 
responsibility, and he's performed with great, great service to his 
country. He's done it all with excellence, dedication, and commitment.
    As to General Powell, I just can't think of words to describe how 
strongly I feel about his service to his country and his leadership. And 
I am grateful to you, Colin. And may I single out the Secretaries, the 
Service Secretaries; and of course, the Joint Chiefs with whom I've 
worked very, very closely. I am grateful to all of you for your 
leadership and for your sound advice. And each of you should be proud 
because you were the key to the success of our military missions in 
Panama, in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia,

[[Page 2252]]

and then in so many other places around the world. So, thank you all 
very, very much.
    Just yesterday, we showed Saddam Hussein once again that he cannot 
violate international law with impunity. And people asked me about the 
mission. And I said the skies are safer and the message is clearer today 
because of the courage of those young air crews that did the Lord's work 
yesterday. We are grateful to each and every one of them. I congratulate 
General Hoar, all the commanders involved, all who laid their lives on 
the line. And once again, our military proved what we all know: They are 
absolutely the finest in the entire world.
    America must always be mindful of the fact that our military is not 
simply the sum of our weapons or the state of our technology. What makes 
our military truly outstanding is the quality of its leadership, the 
quality of its training, the quality of its people, from the youngest 
soldier to the most decorated fighter.
    As we enter the 1990's, we can be proud of what we've done to shape 
a new world. But while we're safer and certainly more secure with the 
end of the cold war, this new world will almost surely have its share of 
uncertainties and dangers. It is essential that we keep a strong 
defense. We must not make reckless cuts in defense.
    We owe our victory in the cold war in no small part to our people in 
uniform. The men and women in our Armed Forces have demonstrated their 
ability to master the challenges of modern warfare, humanitarian aid, 
and peacekeeping, to do the hard work of freedom.
    There is no doubt that the All Volunteer Force is one of the true 
success stories of modern day America. This did not simply happen; it is 
the result of the military's commitment to education and training. Out 
of the military's culture of merit and competition have emerged hundreds 
of thousands of highly skilled men and women brimming with justifiable 
self-confidence. And what they possess is a special kind of discipline: 
a willingness to accept direction, a willingness to accept 
responsibility. And together, discipline and confidence provide the 
basis for winning, for getting the job done.
    And finally, let me speak not as President and not as Commander in 
Chief, but as a citizen, as an American. I look back on my service to 
this great Nation with pride. I think my 3 years in the Navy did more to 
shape my life than anything that's followed on. And I'm very proud to 
stand with you all here today, honored that we share this sacred bond of 
duty, honor, country.
    Thank you for this salute, and may God bless the United States of 
America. Thank you very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 3:36 p.m. at Fort Myer. 
                        In his remarks, he referred to Gen. Joseph P. 
                        Hoar, USMC, commander in chief, U.S. Central 
                        Command.