    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [January 13, 1996]
    [Pages 55-56]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to American Troops at Aviano Air Base, Italy
    January 13, 1996

        The President. Thank you very much. Good morning.
        Audience members. Good morning.
        The President. I know it's early, but we can do better than that.
    Good morning. [Laughter]
        Minister Corcione, Ambassador Bartholomew, our distinguished Italian
    hosts and guests, General Joulwan, General Ryan, Colonel Wald, Chief
    Myers, Colonel Moody, Aviano families, and to the men and women of
    Operation Decisive Edge. Let me begin by thanking the colonel for that
    fine welcome and thanking all of you for making me feel so welcome. I am
    very pleased finally to have a chance to come here to Aviano and to see
    you. And since it's so early, I may be more pleased to see you than you
    are to see me. But I'm glad you came out anyway.
        I thank you for giving me the chance to meet you and to tell you how
    important and how appreciated your work is. What you and our allies are
    doing here and in Bosnia is the difference between a war that resumes
    and a peace that takes hold. You are giving people who have suffered so
    very much a chance to enjoy the blessings of a normal life. You are
    living up to the great traditions of the Armed Forces of the United
    States, protecting our Nation's interest by keeping a fire out that has
    threatened the heart of Europe's stability. On behalf of

    [[Page 56]]

    all the American people, I come here most of all to thank you for the
    superb job you are doing on this historic mission.
        As you did in Operation Deny Flight and Operation Deliberate Force,
    the 31st Fighter Wing and all of the units here at Aviano, including the
    Guard and the Reserve, are showing in Operation Decisive Edge the
    professionalism, the skill, and the dedication that make America's
    military the greatest on Earth and make NATO a force for peace
    throughout Europe.
        The American people know that the burden of America's leadership
    weighs heavily on you and on the families that are here. Many of you who
    are here have been a long way from home for a good long while. Others
    have just arrived. Because of the sacrifices you are making here and in
    the Balkans and the strength of the families that stand behind you, your
    country is able to stand up for its values and its interests.
        I particularly want to thank Colonel Wald, who has done a tremendous
    job in commanding Aviano and the 31st Fighter Wing. America is proud of
    the way this base has met the challenge of this operation. He told me
    just before we came in here that he'd been here about 6 months, and the
    very first day he was on the job was one of the days that our bombing
    campaign was underway.
        Today as a part of my visit here and in recognition of Colonel
    Wald's fine performance and his outstanding career over 25 years in the
    United States Air Force, I am pleased to promote him to brigadier
    general. [Applause] Colonel, it sounds like if we were doing this by
    popular opinion, I wouldn't stop there. [Laughter]
        I would like to ask Mrs. Wald and their daughter, Marissa, to come
    up and stand with me. And I'd like to ask Mrs. Wald to help me as we put
    the stars on the general's shoulder.
        General, our Nation and I look forward to many more years of your
    service. We thank you and congratulate you.
        Let me say a special word of thanks to the Italian Defense Minister,
    Mr. Corcione, the Italian Government, and the people of Italy for the
    hospitality that all of them have shown our forces and for their help in
    coordinating this difficult operation. All of you know that all of our
    efforts over the last several years to contain the conflict in Bosnia,
    to deliver humanitarian aid, and in the end, to bring an end to it would
    not have been possible without the partnership of the Italian Government
    and the Italian people. And the United States is very grateful for it,
    and we thank you.
        I also want to say a word of appreciation to all the other
    countries, especially those of our NATO allies participating in Decisive
    Edge. I know that distinguished units from Britain and Spain are here
    today. They, too, are playing a vital part in keeping our alliance
    strong and making sure this mission will succeed, and we thank them.
        Men and women of Decisive Edge, let me say now, good luck and
    Godspeed. You are heroes for peace. Our Nation is very proud of you. And
    as long as you live, I hope you will always look back on this mission as
    something of historic importance and fundamental human decency.
        Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:21 a.m. in Hangar One. In his remarks, he
    referred to Minister of Defense Domenico Corcione of Italy; U.S.
    Ambassador to Italy Reginald Bartholomew; Gen. George Joulwan, USA,
    Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; Gen. Michael Ryan, USAF, Commander,
    5th Allied Tactical Air Forces; Col. Charles Wald, USAF, Commander,
    Aviano Air Base; Chief M. Sgt. Michael Myers, USAF, Senior Enlisted
    Adviser, 31st Fighter Wing; and Col. David L. Moody, USAF, Vice
    Commander, 31st Fighter Wing.