[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.