    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 28, 2003]
    [Pages 307-309]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to National Veterans Organizations
    March 28, 2003

        Good afternoon. Thanks for coming, and welcome to the people's
    house. It is my honor to welcome distinguished veterans to the White
    House. I'm especially pleased to have met with leaders from the veterans
    organizations at this crucial time for our country.
        The men and women who have worn the Nation's uniform set an example
    of service and an example of sacrifice for future generations. And the
    current generation of our military is not letting us down. Today's Armed
    Forces are upholding the finest traditions of our country and of our
    military. They are making great progress in the war in Iraq. They are
    showing great courage, and they are making this country proud.
        I'm honored that Tony Principi
    introduced me. I'm proud of his service to our country, not only as a
    Vietnam vet but now as the head of the Veterans Affairs--Department of
    Veterans Affairs. He's doing a really good job.
        I want to thank the national commanders and presidents of our
    national veterans

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    service organizations for coming. I want to thank you all for your
    service to your fellow Americans. I appreciate your members being here
    with us. I'm particularly pleased that Brian Thacker, a Medal of Honor recipient, is with us as well. I want to
    thank all our vets; I want to thank all the vets who are here.
        You're here at a time when our coalition, the United States and our
    partners, are acting together in a noble purpose. We're out to keep the
    peace, to make the world more peaceful, to make our Nation and other
    nations more secure, and we're going to free the people of Iraq from the
    clutches of Saddam Hussein and his murderous
    allies.
        We are sending a clear signal to the world that we will not submit
    to a future in which dictators and terrorists can arm and threaten the
    peace without consequence. We are enforcing the demands of the United
    Nations, and we refuse to leave the Iraqi people in slavery under Saddam
    Hussein. When the war in Iraq is won, all who
    have joined this cause will be able to say to the Iraqi people, ``We
    were proud to fight for your freedom.''
        The regime that once terrorized all of Iraq now controls a small
    portion of that country. Coalition troops continue their steady advance
    and are drawing nearer to Baghdad. We're inflicting severe damage on
    enemy forces. We are now fighting the most desperate units of the
    dictator's army. The fierce fighting currently underway will demand
    further courage and further sacrifice. Yet we know the outcome of this
    battle: The Iraqi regime will be disarmed; the Iraqi regime will be
    removed from power; Iraq will be free.
        In the last week, we have seen the brutal and cruel nature of a
    dying regime. In areas still under its control, the regime continues its
    rule by terror. Prisoners of war have been brutalized and executed.
    Iraqis who refuse to fight for the regime are being murdered. Some in
    the Iraqi military have pretended to surrender and then opened fire on
    coalition forces that were willing to show them mercy.
        Given the nature of this regime, we expect such war crimes, but we
    will not excuse them. War criminals will be hunted relentlessly and
    judged severely.
        In the last week, we have also seen the nature of the young men and
    women who fight on our behalf. Coalition forces have begun delivering
    food and water to liberated parts of Iraq. I was pleased to hear today
    that the United Nations Security Council acted to resume food and
    medical supplies under the existing U.N. program, which will bring
    urgent relief to millions of Iraqis.
        We care about the human condition of the people who have suffered
    under Saddam Hussein. We provided $60 million
    to the World Food Program to help get this humanitarian effort up and
    running. We're shipping hundreds of thousands of metric tons of food to
    Iraq. In every possible way, coalition forces are showing kindness and
    respect to the Iraqi people. They're going to extraordinary lengths to
    spare the lives of the innocent. We treat wounded Iraqi soldiers.
        The contrast could not be greater between the honorable conduct of
    our forces and the criminal acts of the enemy. Every Iraqi atrocity has
    confirmed the justice and the urgency of our cause. Against this enemy
    we will accept no outcome except complete victory.
        To meet this outcome, we must give our armed services the support
    and the resources they require. As veterans, all of you understand the
    importance of a well-supplied and well-trained fighting force. I've
    asked Congress for a nearly $75 billion wartime supplemental
    appropriations bill. This funding would provide fuel for ships and
    aircraft and tanks, supplies for our troops in the theater of
    operations, new high-tech munitions to replace the ones we have used in
    this war. The supplemental would also provide funds to assist in the
    reconstruction

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    of Iraq and to help protect the American homeland in this time of high
    alert.
        I want to thank the veterans groups for their strong support,
    unwavering support, for this wartime supplemental, and I call upon the
    United States Congress to pass the supplemental as quickly as possible.
        I also appreciate all the veterans are doing for America's military
    families in time of hardship. I appreciate your compassion. Across our
    country, local chapters of the American Legion, for example, are
    stepping forward to help those families in practical ways, from making
    household repairs to helping with child care. Members of the VFW and
    Auxiliary are sending care packages with baby supplies to military
    families. Operation Uplink program is helping thousands of service
    members keep in touch with their loved ones.
        Both the American Legion and the VFW are working with the USA
    Freedom Corps on a project called ``On The Home Front.'' This effort
    will match Americans who want to volunteer their times and skills with
    the military families who need help. Because of all this generosity, our
    men and women serving overseas will know that their loved ones are not
    facing this time alone.
        I want to thank the veterans groups for understanding the compassion
    needed to help those who are here, wondering and worrying about their
    loved ones overseas. The people who serve in the military are giving
    their best to this country, and we have the responsibility to give them
    our full support, our full support not only here in Washington, DC, but
    our support all across the country.
        I want to thank each veteran here today and across our land for the
    lifetime of service you have given our Nation. I thank you for standing
    behind the men and women of today's Armed Forces as they fight for the
    liberty of an oppressed people, for the security of the United States
    and our friends and allies, and for the peace of the world. May God
    bless our troops.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:44 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.
    The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.