    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 14, 2003]
    [Pages 1540-1542]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the National Employer Support of the Guard and
    Reserve Week Proclamation
    November 14, 2003

        Thank you all for coming. Thanks for the warm welcome. Welcome to
    the people's house.
        In a few moments, I will sign a proclamation in honor of employers
    across America who have shown their support for our

    [[Page 1541]]

    National Guardsmen and reservists. In times of need, our Nation counts
    on the guard and reserve members to fulfill their commitments of
    service. We value their courage, and we honor their sacrifice. They are
    defending their Nation in the war on terror, and they're serving in a
    just cause.
        Our guardsmen and reservists depend on the understanding of their
    employers. Across America, where units have been activated, employers at
    offices and factories and schools, hospitals, and other workplaces have
    been understanding and really supportive. They've given priority to the
    needs of our Nation. Employers have shown great consideration for their
    workers who have been called to duty and great support for the Nation's
    defense. These companies have the gratitude of our Nation. They have the
    gratitude of the Commander in Chief.
        I appreciate members of my team who are here today. Secretary Elaine
    Chao of the Department of Labor and Secretary
    Tony Principi of the Department of
    Veterans Affairs, thank you both for coming. I appreciate Deputy
    Secretary Paul Wolfowitz at the Department
    of Defense for being here as well. Under Secretary David Chu; thank you for coming, David. I appreciate Acting
    Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee for being
    here. I see that General Pete Pace is here, Vice
    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I appreciate Assistant Secretary
    Thomas Hall, Assistant Secretary for Reserve
    Affairs, for coming; thank you, sir. I appreciate David Janes, the Acting National Chairman of the Employer Support of
    the Guard and Reserve group. Thank you for coming.
        Most of all, I thank you all for being here, particularly those who
    wear our Nation's uniform.
        American citizen soldiers have served in every conflict since the
    Revolutionary War. Some of the most legendary names in American military
    history are associated with Guard and Reserve units. The famed
    ``Keystone Division,'' as the Pennsylvania National Guard was long
    known, once marched under the command of Omar Bradley. The ``Rainbow
    Division,'' which drew soldiers from Guard units in 26 States and from
    the District of Columbia, was led in World War I by a young brigadier
    general named Douglas MacArthur. In 1905, 21-year-old Harry S. Truman
    joined the Missouri National Guard. Our 33d President learned much from
    his experiences in the Guard, and so did the 43d President.
        But most of all, I remember the high caliber of the people with whom
    I served. Today, more than 1.2 million men and women serve in the Guard
    and the Reserve. That's almost half of America's total military
    strength. These men and women face the difficult challenge of balancing
    military duty with civilian employment. They know that the call to
    active duty can come at any time.
        And they're always ready. Guardsmen and reservists are now serving
    around the world, in places like Afghanistan and in Iraq. They serve
    here at home as well, in the war on terror. They're meeting the
    terrorist enemy abroad so our fellow citizens do not have to face the
    enemy at home.
        They are part of our efforts to employ targeted and decisive force
    against coldblooded terrorist killers. They're helping to train and
    equip Iraqis and Afghans to defend their own nations. They're helping
    the Iraqi and Afghan people build just and free and democratic
    governments. They're helping to defend the American homeland.
        Our guardsmen and reservists are showing great skill and courage,
    and America honors their unselfish dedication to duty. Our guardsmen and
    reservists rely on the support and patience of their families, their
    wives and husbands and daughters and sons who must bear the prolonged
    absence of a loved one. They rely on their civilian employers to put the
    national interest above the corporate or self interests. Employers

    [[Page 1542]]

    of guard and reserve members make possible the contributions of our
    citizen soldiers. By supporting the mobilization of patriots, employers
    are demonstrating their own patriotism.
        With us today are representatives of companies that have given
    outstanding support to the Guard and to the Reserve. Central Atlantic
    Toyota Distribution Center, D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company, Miller
    Brewing, Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation, Tyson Foods are all
    winners of this year's Secretary of Defense Employers Support Freedom
    Award.
        These companies do all their utmost to support and encourage service
    in America's National Guard and Reserve. They provide pay, health care
    benefits, and job security to the men and women who are called to active
    duty. They recognize that their workers are fighting to keep America
    free.
        Other companies are making equally important contributions.
    Albertson's, Clear Channel Airports, Home Depot, and Verizon all provide
    outstanding support to their employees during mobilizations. All of us
    appreciate the generosity and the public spirit shown by these
    outstanding companies and many others like them around our country.
        Members of the guard and reserve are with us today. We're proud of
    your service. We thank you for your sacrifice. The war on terror has
    drawn on many of America's strengths, and one of the greatest strengths
    is the citizen-soldier, like Specialist James Dexter of the Illinois National Guard. At home, Specialist
    Dexter is a volunteer firefighter. In Iraq, he is serving as a military
    police officer. On three separate occasions in a single month,
    Specialist Dexter rushed to the scene of traffic accidents, twice saving
    the lives of American soldiers and Iraqi citizens and once putting out a
    dangerous fire. He was awarded the Bronze Star. He has earned the
    gratitude of our country for his service.
        America needs the Guard and Reserves more today than we have had in
    decades. We're at war. Yet we're fortunate that so many of our citizens
    have heeded the call to serve a cause greater than themselves. And we
    are fortunate that our Guard and Reserve units have received such
    support from America's business community. As a sign of America's
    gratitude, I'm pleased to invite representatives from the nine companies
    here today to join me in signing a proclamation designating National
    Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.
        May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our great
    country.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:16 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Rear Adm. David Janes, USN (Ret.),
    National Chair, National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and
    Reserve. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of these remarks. The proclamation of November 14 is
    listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.