    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [April 3, 2003]
    [Pages 317-320]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
    April 3, 2003

        The President. Thank you all very much. Thank you all so very much
    for that warm welcome. It's such an honor to be here--especially pleased
    to be traveling today with a great First Lady, Laura Bush. We really appreciate your welcome, and we're proud to
    be with the marines and sailors and families of Camp Lejeune. There's no
    finer sight--no finer sight--than to see 12,000 United States marines
    and corpsmen, unless you happen to be a member of the Iraqi Republican
    Guard.
        For more than 60 years, marines have gone forth from Camp Lejeune to
    fight our country's battles. Now America has entered a fierce struggle
    to protect the world from a grave danger and to bring freedom to an
    oppressed people. As the forces of our coalition advance, we learn more
    about the atrocities of the Iraqi regime and the deep fear that Saddam
    Hussein has instilled in the Iraqi people.
    Yet, no scheme of this enemy, no crime of a dying regime will divert us
    from our mission. We will not stop until Iraq is free.
        Audience member. We love you, President Bush!
        The President. When freedom needs defending, America turns to our
    military. And as they do their job, our men and women in uniform count
    on their families, like you all here today. This is a time of hardship
    for many military families. Some of you have been separated from your
    loved ones for quite a while because of long deployments. All of America
    is grateful for your sacrifice, and Laura and
    I are here to thank each one of you.
        We're here to thank the Marines. I also want to thank the men and
    women of the Marine Forces Reserve who are serving here and abroad.
    Hundreds of reserve units across America have been activated in this
    time of war, and our country thanks these fine citizens and their
    employers for putting duty first.
        I want to thank Major General David Mize for
    his hospitality and his leadership. I want to thank Major General John
    Castellaw, commanding general of the 2d

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    Marine Expeditionary Force, for his leadership and strength.
        I appreciate so very much Members of the North Carolina
    congressional delegation who traveled with Laura
    and me today. Senators Edwards and Dole, from the great State of North Carolina, thank you for
    coming. I appreciate Members of the United States House of
    Representatives, Congressmen Ballance,
    Jr. Jones, and
    McIntyre, for traveling with us. These five
    are five Members of the Congress are strong supporters of the marines
    and the United States military.
        I met the mayor, and I want to thank Madam Mayor and members of the county commission for being so
    supportive of the families and the personnel here at Camp Lejeune, North
    Carolina. I want to thank very much those veterans who are here, and
    retired military members. I want to thank Lonestar. We kind of like that
    name. [Laughter]
        I very much want to say a little something about a person that
    Laura and I met at Marine One when it landed,
    Laura Kay Brett. Kay
        Audience member. Yeah!
        The President. You may know Laura--somebody knows Laura Kay Kay out there. [Laughter] But you need to know her
    story. You see, Laura Kay is director of Volunteer Services at the YMCA
    Camp Lejeune. She represents hundreds, thousands of people who volunteer
    to make somebody's life better. She runs a mom-to-mom program to help
    people who may need help. Laura Kay represents the best of America,
    somebody who is willing to love a neighbor just like she'd like to be
    loved herself.
        I want to thank Laura Kay. Kay I want to
    thank the thousands of you who are here who understand we can save
    somebody's life by showing them love. We can help somebody who hurts by
    hugging a neighbor in need.
        All around Camp Lejeune are monuments to the heroic achievements of
    the United States Marines. In the 14 days since the major ground war
    began, the Marine Corps has added new achievements to its great story.
        On the first day of the campaign, marine units were ordered to
    secure 600 Iraqi oil wells and prevent environmental disaster, and that
    mission was accomplished. U.S. marines and our Royal Marine allies were
    sent in to take the Al Faw Peninsula and clear a path for humanitarian
    aid, and that job was done. In the tough fighting at Al Nasiriyah,
    marines continue to push back the enemy and are showing the unrelenting
    courage worthy of the name Task Force Tarawa. Two nights ago, marines
    and special operations forces set out on a daring rescue mission, and
    thanks to their skill and courage, a brave young soldier is now free.
        These missions are difficult and they are dangerous, but no one
    becomes a marine because it's easy. Now our coalition moves forward.
    Marines are in the thick of the battle. And what we have begun, we will
    finish.
        The United States and our allies pledged to act if the dictator did
    not disarm. The regime in Iraq is now learning that we keep our word. By
    our actions, we serve a great and just cause: We will remove weapons of
    mass destruction from the hands of mass murderers. Free nations will not
    sit and wait, leaving enemies free to plot another September the 11th,
    this time perhaps with chemical or biological or nuclear terror. And by
    defending our own security, we are freeing the people of Iraq from one
    of the cruelest regimes on Earth.
        At this hour, coalition forces are clearing southern cities and
    towns of the dictator's death squads and enforcers. Our special forces
    and Army paratroopers, working with Kurdish militia, have opened a
    northern front against the enemy. Army and Marine divisions are engaging
    the enemy and advancing to the outskirts of Baghdad. From the skies
    above, coalition aircraft and cruise missiles are removing hundreds of
    military targets from Iraq. A vise is closing, and

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    the days of a brutal regime are coming to an end.
        Some servants of the regime have chosen to fill their final days
    with acts of cowardice and murder. In combat, Saddam's thugs shield themselves with women and children. They
    have killed Iraqi citizens who welcome coalition troops. They force
    other Iraqis into battle by threatening to torture or kill their
    families. They've executed prisoners of war. They've waged attacks under
    the white flag of truce. They concealed combat forces in civilian
    neighborhoods and schools and hospitals and mosques.
        In this war, the Iraqi regime is doing--is terrorizing its own
    citizens, doing everything possible to maximize Iraqi civilian
    casualties and then to exploit the deaths they've caused for propaganda.
    These are war criminals, and they will be treated like war criminals.
        In stark contrast, the citizens of Iraq are coming to know what kind
    of people we have sent to liberate them. American forces and our allies
    are treating innocent civilians with kindness and showing proper respect
    to soldiers who surrender. Many Americans have seen the picture of
    Marine Lance Corporal Marcco Ware carrying a
    wounded Iraqi soldier on his shoulders to safety for medical treatment.
    That's the picture of the strength and goodness of the U.S. Marines.
    That is a picture of America. People in the United States are proud of
    the honorable conduct of our military, and I'm proud to lead such brave
    and decent Americans.
        I'm also proud that coalition victories are bringing food and water
    and medicine to the Iraqi people. Our coalition partners have
    constructed a pipeline to bring clean water to Umm Qasr. We're
    delivering emergency rations to the hungry. Right now, ships carrying
    enough American grain to feed millions are bound for Iraq. We're
    bringing aid, and we're bringing something more. We're bringing hope.
        A man in one Iraqi village said this to one of our soldiers: ``I
    want my freedom. I don't want food or water. I just want my freedom.''
    America hears that man. We hear all Iraqis who yearn for liberty. And
    the people of Iraq have my pledge: Our fighting forces will press on
    until your entire country is free.
        The Iraqi people deserve to live in peace under leaders they have
    chosen. They deserve a government that respects the rights of every
    citizen and ethnic group. They deserve a country that is united, that's
    independent, and that is released from years of sanctions and sorrow.
    Our coalition has one goal for the future of Iraq, to return that great
    country to its own people.
        Building a free and prosperous Iraq after the regime is gone will
    require--will be the work of the Iraqi people for years to come. And
    they will have our help. Today the goal is to remove the Iraqi regime
    and to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, and that is the task of
    the United States military and our coalition.
        All who serve in this mission can know this: Your fellow citizens
    are behind you, and our Government will give you every tool you need for
    victory.
        People of this country take pride in your victories, and we share in
    your losses. Camp Lejeune has lost some good marines. Every person who
    dies in the line of duty leaves a family that lives in grief. Every
    marine who dies in the line of duty leaves comrades who mourn their
    loss.
        There is a tradition in the corps that no one who falls will be left
    behind on the battlefield. Our country has a tradition as well. No one
    who falls will be forgotten by this grateful Nation. We honor their
    service to America, and we pray their families will receive God's
    comfort and God's grace.
        These are sacrifices in a high calling, the defense of our Nation
    and the peace of the world. Overcoming evil is the noblest cause and the
    hardest work. And the liberation of millions is the fulfillment of
    America's founding promise. The objectives we've set in this war are
    worthy of America,

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    worthy of all the acts of heroism and generosity that have come before.
        Once again, we are applying the power of our country to ensure our
    security and to serve the cause of justice. And we will prevail.
        Our armed services have performed brilliantly in Operation Iraqi
    Freedom. Moving a massive force over 200 miles of enemy territory in a
    matter of days is a superb achievement. Yet there is work ahead for our
    coalition, for the American Armed Forces, and for the United States
    Marines. Having traveled hundreds of miles, we will now go the last 200
    yards. The course is set. We're on the advance. Our destination is
    Baghdad, and we will accept nothing less than complete and final
    victory.
        May God bless our country and all who defend her. Semper fi.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:40 a.m. at W.P.T. Hill Field. In his
    remarks, he referred to Maj. Gen. David Mize, USMC, commanding general,
    Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune; Maj. Gen. John Castellaw, USMC,
    commanding general, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing; Mayor Elsie P. Smith of
    Jacksonville, NC; country music group Lonestar; and President Saddam
    Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a
    Spanish language transcript of these remarks.