    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 1, 1999]
    [Page 485]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Telephone Remarks From Norfolk, Virginia, to United States Troops at
    Aviano Air Base in Italy
    April 1, 1999

        The President. Colonel Nichols, I know
    you're about to leave on a mission. I just called to tell you we're
    proud of you, and we appreciate you and all your Buzzards there at the
    510th and all the other people who are carrying out this difficult
    mission.
        And you may know that I'm down in
    Virginia, and I just met with some service families to tell them how
    much I appreciate their sacrifice. And I know many of you have families
    back home pulling for you, as well.
        So I just want to tell you that and tell
    you how proud we are. I'm here with Secretary Cohen and General Shelton and a
    number of other people from Washington, and we're all there for you.
        Lt. Col. David Nichols. Thank you, Mr.
    President, sir. You have the 81st and the 23d Fighter Squadrons here
    also. It's a great team. And we are truly honored to have the privilege
    to hear your voice this afternoon.
        The President. Well, thank you. I know
    that I'm taking you almost up to your departure time, and I don't want
    to keep you late for your mission. But you just know we're all proud of
    you, and what you're doing is very important for our country and for the
    future of the world. And we thank you very much.
        Goodbye.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:46 p.m. from the dining room of the
    Pennsylvania House at Norfolk Naval Station, to Lieutenant Colonel
    Nichols, USAF, Commanding Officer, 510th Fighter Squadron. A tape was
    not available for verification of the content of these remarks.