    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [June 12, 1995]
    [Pages 870-871]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Ceremony Honoring Captain Scott O'Grady
    June 12, 1995

        Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary, General Shalikashvili, to all
    the members of the Armed Forces here, the distinguished Members of
    Congress, the members of the O'Grady and Scardapane families, to our
    distinguished guests.
        I am tempted to say that we actually arranged this weather today so
    that Captain O'Grady would know for sure that he was not going to be
    left high and dry. [Laughter]
        We are all here to thank our men and women in uniform for the rescue
    of Captain Scott O'Grady. Their mission made all Americans proud, just
    as Captain O'Grady's courage has made all Americans proud. We know that
    the skill and professionalism of our Armed Forces and the intelligence
    that backs them up are unmatched. We know that the months, the weeks,
    the years in training someday, somewhere will always have to be put into
    effect. And last week, those of you who brought life to that training
    and saved one brave man's life said more about what we stand for as a
    country, what our values are, and what our commitments are than any
    words the rest of us could ever utter, and we thank you for it.
        Consider this, that an F-16 pilot in Captain O'Grady's ``Triple
    Nickel'' squadron picks up a faint radio signal and relays it to an
    AWACS plane. Within minutes, the AWACS operators positively identify
    Captain O'Grady and pinpoint his location. Then just hours later, no
    less than 40 airplanes and helicopters are airborne, led by a combat
    search and rescue team from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit,
    commanded by Colonel Martin Berndt. The AWACS aircraft, a marvel of our
    technology, guide two Super Stallion helicopters to within 50 yards of
    Captain O'Grady. In 2 minutes, the marines secure the landing site and
    whisk the captain to safety under hostile conditions.
        When I spoke to Captain O'Grady once he was on board the U.S.S.
    Kearsarge, he told me his rescuers were the real heroes. Well, it can't
    be done any better than they did it. They showed our Nation and the
    world the best of our teamwork. When we finished our conversation,
    Captain O'Grady remarked, ``Mr. Presi-

    [[Page 871]]

    dent, I just want to say one thing: The United States is the greatest
    country in the world. God bless America.'' The men and women of our
    Armed Forces also bless our America with your service and your skills.
    Because you do your job so well, our Nation will always be the land of
    the free and the home of the brave.
        Now let me say it was a very great personal honor for me to host
    Captain O'Grady and all the fine members of his family, beginning with
    his grandparents and going down to his brother and sister and some of
    his friends, at the White House for lunch today. I can tell you that he
    certifies he got a better meal today than he did in those 6 days in
    Bosnia. But he gave us something more precious than we can ever give
    him, a reminder of what is very best about our country.
        And I'd like to now ask Captain O'Grady to come up here and say
    what's on his mind and heart to the people who gave him back his
    freedom.
        Captain Scott O'Grady.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:42 p.m. at the Pentagon.