[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[February 21, 2002]
[Pages 260-262]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Remarks to the Troops at Osan Air Base in Seoul
February 21, 2002
The President. Thank you very much. Well, thank you for that warm
welcome. My fellow Americans, I'm on my way to China, and I hope you
don't mind me stopping by to say a few words. I also thought you might
want to say hello to a great wife and a wonderful First Lady, my wife,
Laura.
We are so delighted to be here. It gives me a chance to bring a
message from home. Your family are proud of you, and so is America. You
walk in the path of thousands of soldiers who fought for freedom in the
Korean war and all who kept the peace for half a century. Many millions
of people are safe from harm because you're here. You're a credit to the
United States of America, and I want to thank you for that.
I'm proud to be traveling with members of the fabulous team I put
together, anchored by our Secretary of State, Colin Powell. We're making a huge difference on the Peninsula, not
only because of our military presence but because of our diplomatic
presence. We've got a great Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Tom
Hubbard, and his wife, Joan.
One time I was Governor of the great State of Texas. Now I know
we're going to keep the peace. [Laughter] And I went to Fort Hood and
got to meet General Thorpe. I knew him to be a strong man then. I'm sure
glad he's here now. He brings great credit to the United States
military. Mr. General, thank you, sir.
It is an honor to be here with General Lance Smith, as well. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you for
putting us--I've got kind of a sweet spot in my heart for fighter
pilots. I hope they're behaving well these days. [Laughter]
I'm honored to be here with Denny Larsen.
And I'm honored to be here with David Clary,
as well. I want to thank those from the ROK who are here, the leaders.
But most of all, I want to thank my fellow citizens, the members of the
United States military, for being strong and steady, to keep the peace.
It is such an honor to be traveling in Asia, representing our
country. This is an important journey. We're stopping in the capitals of
Japan and South Korea and then, in a couple of hours, in China. All
three Governments are lending their support in our war against terror.
It gives me a chance to look the leaders in the eye, to thank them on
behalf of a grateful nation, for their steady and strong support, as
this Nation leads a coalition to defend freedom.
My trip was scheduled here for October, but we changed it after
America came under attack. We had to change our plans. But since then,
the killers and the Government that sponsored them had to change their
plans, too. A few months ago, Al Qaida and the terrorists occupied
Afghanistan. Now some of them are in cells in Guantanamo Bay. Not long
ago, they were urging their followers to sacrifice their lives. Now
they're running for their own. Those who attacked us and those who still
want to try to hurt us are beginning to realize they picked the wrong
enemy. They thought we were soft. They thought we were so materialistic
that we would not be willing to sacrifice. They didn't realize that
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we're a patient nation, that we're a deliberate nation.
And they're now beginning to realize that we're resolved to find the
terrorists, wherever they hide, and rout them out. And as my fellow
Americans, you need to know that we won't stop until the threat of
global terrorism has been destroyed. We have been called to history. We
must not stop. After all, we defend civilization itself. We didn't ask
for this war; we're a peaceful nation. But we will do everything in our
power to defend freedom and the universal values that are so important
to our Nation and so important to a peaceful world. I made this message
clear to our enemy, and the mighty United States military is delivering
it.
I'm proud to report America and our allies are committed to this
cause. If you haven't been back to America lately, I want to tell you,
our Nation is strongly united. This isn't a matter of political parties.
We're talking about national purpose. The people of America understand
it's going to take a while, but they're ready. We've accepted new
responsibilities.
There's a new way of thinking in America. It was defined by flight--
the actions on Flight 93, when several people aboard an airplane got the
word that that airplane might be headed to the Capitol or the White
House, but certainly headed to hurt a fellow American. They were on the
telephone with their loved ones. They told them they loved them. They
said a prayer. And then they said, ``Let's roll.''
There is a new spirit of sacrifice in America that understands that
we must, in life, serve something greater than ourselves. And we're now
called to defend freedom, and our allies understand that. And the United
States military understands that, and freedom we will defend with all
our might.
And that's what you're doing here on the Korean Peninsula, a free
and peaceful nation, and its 47 million people count on you every day.
And in this duty, the United States has a steady and courageous partner
in the Republic of Korea.
During the years of partnership between our two countries, South
Korea has become prosperous, and it has become strong. Its vibrant
economy is an example of what free people and free institutions can
achieve. And it shows the importance of America's presence in Asia.
The United States is a Pacific nation. History has led us here. Ties
of commerce and friendship keep us here. And our friends and allies can
be certain that we will always stand beside them. When America says,
``We're your friend,'' we mean it.
We hope for a day when the stability of the Korean Peninsula is
built on peaceful reconciliation of North and South. Today, however, the
stability of this Peninsula is built on the military might of our great
alliance. In our dealings with North Korea, we've laid down a clear
marker. We will stand by the people of South Korea. We will maintain our
presence here. And as I told the Congress and the world in my State of
the Union messages, we will not permit the world's most dangerous
regimes to threaten us or our friends or our allies with weapons of mass
destruction.
Those of you who are stationed here in Korea and members of our
military throughout the world spend every day training and testing and
preparing for any mission that may come. That's your responsibility, and
you're the best in the world. And as your Commander in Chief, I have
responsibilities to you to give clear orders, to set clear objectives,
and to make sure you have everything you need to do your job.
So I'm asking Congress to pass more than a $48 billion increase in
our defense budget. It is the largest increase in military spending in a
generation. It recognizes defending--the price for defending freedom
will be high, but it's necessary to defend freedom. Our most important
job is the security of the United States of America and the security of
our friends and allies.
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And we will pay whatever price it takes to defend America.
I'm so grateful many of you have brought your families, who are
here. A grateful nation not only thanks those who wear the uniform, but
we thank the wives and husbands and sons and daughters and family
members who sacrifice along with you. But in order to make sure that
sacrifice is not quite such a hill to climb, in the budget that I've
requested to Congress, I'm asking for another pay raise for the people
who wear the uniform. It is necessary; it is the right course of
action----
Audience member. We love you, George! [Laughter]
The President. ----because in the months and years to come, our
Nation is going to be asking more of the United States military. And you
have my confidence, because you've earned it. You earn it every day, in
the difficulties you accept and the dangers you face. You're each here
to serve your country, and your country is grateful. You're here because
you believe in America, and America will always believe in you.
God bless.
Note: The President spoke at 8:04 a.m. at the 5th Reconnaissance
Squadron. In his remarks, he referred to Lt. Gen. Lance L. Smith, USAF,
commander, and Maj. Gen. Dennis R. Larsen, USAF, vice commander, 7th Air
Force; and Brig. Gen. David E. Clary, USAF, commander, 51st Fighter
Wing.