    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 17, 2002]
    [Pages 812-813]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Presenting the Commander in Chief's Trophy to the

    United States Air Force Academy Falcons
    May 17, 2002

        Please be seated. Thank you. Well, it's my honor to welcome back--
    [laughter]--the Mighty Falcons. It seems like Coach DeBerry is the charter member of the White House frequent
    visitor club. [Laughter] I'm real proud of you all and want to
    congratulate you for a great season and for winning the Commander's
    Trophy again.
        I recognize Pete Pace. You look a little out
    of place here, Pete--[laughter]--but I'm glad you're here. You're doing
    a fine job. General John Jumper, as well, is
    here. I want to thank the Lieutenant General, John Dallager; thank you, Superintendent, wherever you are. One of
    these days, you'll invite me to the graduation ceremonies. [Laughter]
        I do want to thank the players for their hard work and the example
    they set. And of course, I want to congratulate the coach again. I was
    reading where he is going to go to the South Carolina Athletic Hall of
    Fame. That's a big deal, if you're from South Carolina. So
    Coach, congratulations for that.
        The interesting thing about this group of seniors is, they have
    never lost to Army or Navy. But upon graduation, they're going to be on
    the same team, and that's important for them to remember.
        During last May's visit, I said of Coach DeBerry, he is not just recruiting to win football games; he is
    recruiting to win our Nation's wars, if we have one. That was May. And
    on September 11th, war came to our country. And I want to thank you,
    Coach, for recruiting those who will help us win our Nation's wars,
    because unlike the last time we met, we're at war. We're in the midst of
    a war against a determined and fierce enemy.
        I want the troops here to know that I take my job as the Commander
    in Chief very seriously, that my most important job is to protect
    America and to protect our homeland. I do whatever it takes, and I know
    you'll join me in doing whatever it takes to prevent the enemy from
    attacking America again, like they did, and causing thousands to suffer
    and to mourn and to grieve.
        You know, what's interesting about Washington, it's a town--
    unfortunately, it's the kind of place where second-guessing has become
    second-nature. The American

    [[Page 813]]

    people know this about me and my national security team and my
    administration: Had I known that the enemy was going to use airplanes to
    kill on that fateful morning, I would have done everything in my power
    to protect the American people. We will use the might of America to
    protect the American people.
        We're in for a long struggle. It's a tough war. This is an enemy
    that's not going to quit. So therefore, in order to protect innocent
    lives, this country must have the will and the determination to chase
    these killers down one by one and bring them to justice. And that's
    exactly what is going to happen, so long as I am the President of the
    United States of America.
        I'm proud of what this group of Americans have done on the football
    field; no more proud than those who wear the blue, I might add. And I'm
    proud of your commitment to our country. See, this enemy of ours, they
    don't understand the Air Force Academy or what it stands for. They
    thought we were weak--of course, they never saw the Air Force football
    team play. They thought we'd just roll over. They thought we might file
    a couple of lawsuits. They found out we think differently here in
    America.
        We think differently because this is a nation that loves our
    freedom, loves our country. And this is a nation that has got citizens
    who are willing to sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves. We're
    here to honor a football team; we're also here to honor soldiers, men
    and women who wear our uniform and who are willing to sacrifice for the
    greatest nation on the face of the Earth.
        Welcome back to the White House. May God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:15 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Fisher DeBerry, head football
    coach, and Lt. Gen. John R. Dallager, USAF, Superintendent, U.S. Air
    Force Academy; Gen. John P. Jumper, USAF, Air Force Chief of Staff; and
    Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.