    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [May 22, 1996]
    [Pages 792-793]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Fleet Week Participants on Board the U.S.S. Intrepid in
    New York City
    May 22, 1996

        To the men and women of our Armed Forces gathered here today and
    their counterparts from Canada and Mexico and the United Kingdom who
    join us on board the Intrepid, first things first: At ease.
        Mr. Sowinski, Secretary Dalton, Admiral Johnson, Admiral Flanagan,
    Rear Admiral Williamson, Mayor and Mrs. Giuliani. I am delighted to be
    here today. As your Commander in Chief, I've come to see you off on a
    challenging assignment, one that demands enormous stamina and strength:
    Fleet Week. A grueling schedule of baseball and theater awaits you, the
    seamanship olympics, the legendary best chow contests. Your abilities
    will be put to the test. Your orders for the mission are clear and
    simple: Enjoy yourselves. Have fun. You've earned it.
        All around the world, every day of the year, you show what is best
    about our country: the commitment to stand up for freedom, to stand
    against oppression, to give a helping hand, to do all of that together
    as one America in alliance with our friends.
        Among you are soldiers from the 77th Regional Support Command which
    helped to defeat Saddam Hussein in Desert Storm and now is working to
    preserve the peace in Bosnia. There are sailors from the U.S.S. Arleigh
    Burke which served as Red Crown in Operation Sharp Guard to protect our
    Adriatic fleet. There are airmen from McGuire Air Force Base who
    supported IFOR troops in Bosnia and evacuation airlifts in Liberia.
    There are coastguardsmen and women from Governors Island who rescued
    thousands of Haitians and Cubans seeking refuge on dangerous waters.
    There are marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, who, not shyly,
    recently returned from Trinidad and Honduras, where they helped to build
    schools and barracks. And there are citizen soldiers here from New York
    State who answered the call to action in the wake of recent snowstorms,
    floods, and fires.
        I want all of you to know that America is proud of each and every
    one of you, grateful for all that you do. Your example explains why
    people around the world look to us for help and for inspiration.
        I also want to say a special word of thanks to those who are here
    from other nations, for our partnership with our allies have provided us
    for some of the most important opportunities we have had in recent years
    to advance America's cause.
        Let me say that I know the last few days have not been easy for our
    Armed Forces and especially for the United States Navy. We lost a great
    leader and friend in Admiral Boorda. But as we honor his service to our
    Nation, I ask you to be proud of your own achievements as well. You are
    members of the world's greatest military, whose values of honor,
    resolve, and integrity America respects so deeply. You protect our
    Nation on land, at sea, and in the skies. You project our strength and
    our values around the world. You stepped forward to serve your country.
    You do so with courage, commitment, and compassion every time America
    calls. We are grateful to you and grateful that you are the best
    trained, best equipped, best prepared fighting force on Earth. As long
    as I am your Commander in Chief, not only our gratitude but the reality
    of that statement will remain intact.

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        Your country and I thank you for everything you do. You have earned
    a week of celebration and now, liberty call.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:25 p.m. on the flight deck. In his
    remarks, he referred to Larry Sowinski, executive director, Intrepid
    Sea-Air-Space Museum; Adm. W.J. Flanagan, Jr., USN, commander in chief,
    Atlantic Fleet; Rear Adm. Robert C. Williamson, USN, commander, Carrier
    Group 2; and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York City and his wife,
    Donna.