[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.