[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[March 12, 2001]
[Page 225]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Arrival at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
March 12, 2001

    Well, thank you all very much. General Ryan, thank you for your hospitality. I want to thank your base 
commander. I want to thank the command 
sergeant who greeted me at the stairs of the 
Air Force plane that flew me here. The good news is, those pilots know 
what they're doing.
    It is such an honor to be the Commander in Chief of the greatest 
Nation on the face of the Earth. I'm proud of the men and women who wear 
our uniform. My job is to set a clear mission for the United States 
military. The mission of the military would be to be well prepared to 
fight and win war and, therefore, prevent war from happening in the 
first place.
    Today I'm going to speak to a Rotary Club and chamber of commerce 
event that will detail parts of my budget that I submitted to the 
Congress. One part of my budget that I submitted to the Congress will be 
to make sure we house our military folks better. One part of the budget 
I submitted to Congress is a pay raise for those who wear the uniform. I 
believe by focusing our mission, we can improve morale. But I know by 
paying folks more, we can improve morale, as well.
    I look forward to shaking your hands and looking you in the eye and 
thanking you for serving America. For those of you who I don't get to 
look in the eye and say, ``Thanks for serving America,'' thanks for 
serving America. We're counting on you. Our Nation relies upon you to 
keep the peace, and we will do so.
    God bless you all, and God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 11:20 a.m. on the tarmac. In his remarks, 
he referred to Gen. Michael E. Ryan, USAF, Chief of Staff; and Brig. 
Gen. William F. Hodgkins, USAF, commander, and M. Sgt. Karl W. Meyers, 
USAF, commander chief, 325th Fighter Wing.