    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 1, 2003]
    [Pages 810-813]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Reenlistment Ceremony on the 30th Anniversary of the All-
    Volunteer Force
    July 1, 2003

        Please be seated. Welcome. Thank you all very much. Welcome to the
    White House. We're joined today by 30 men and women who have chosen to
    reenlist in the United States Armed Forces. Each of them decided years
    ago to serve and defend our country. Today they reaffirm their
    commitment and take the oath again.
        Like many thousands of other soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast
    guardsmen, and marines who will reenlist this year, these men and women
    are answering the highest call of citizenship. They have stood between
    the American people and the dangers of the world, and we are glad they
    are staying on duty.
        I want to thank Paul Wolfowitz, the
    Deputy Secretary of Defense, for joining us, and members of the defense
    team. I want to thank Richard Myers,
    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Pete Pace, the
    Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I want to thank James Roche, the Secretary of the Air Force, Les
    Brownlee, the Acting Secretary of the Army,
    H.T. Johnson, the Acting Secretary of
    the Navy, for being with us today.
        I appreciate Admiral Vernon Clark, the
    Chief of Naval Operations, for being here; General Michael W.
    Hagee, the Commandant of the Marine Corps;
    General John M. Keane, Acting Chief of Staff
    for the Army. I appreciate Terry D. Scott,

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    Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, for being with us today, John L.
    Estrada, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps,
    Frank A. Welch, Master Chief Petty Officer of
    the Coast Guard, members of the Armed Forces, and our fellow Americans.
        Before the draft ended on July 1st, 1973, generations of men entered
    military service by the decision of others. And during two World Wars
    and in Korea and in Vietnam, they served nobly, and they served well.
    Yet in the past 30 years, we have seen the great advantages of a
    military in which all serve by their own decision. Our country's all-
    volunteer force attracts idealistic and committed young Americans. They
    stay in service longer because they have chosen the military life. The
    result is a military with the highest levels of training, experience,
    motivation, and professionalism.
        The military life is rewarding. Yet, even at its best, that life is
    difficult, often involving separation and danger. Those who willingly
    make these sacrifices and the families who share their hardships have
    the respect and the gratitude of their fellow Americans.
        All in our military are serving in one of history's critical hours.
    Less than 2 years ago, determined enemies of America entered our
    country, committed acts of murder against our people, and made clear
    their intentions to strike again. As long as terrorists and their allies
    plot to harm America, America is at war. We did not choose this war.
    Yet, with the safety of the American people at stake, we will continue
    to wage this war with all our might.
        From the beginning, we have known the effort would be long and
    difficult and that our resolve would be tested. We know that sacrifice
    is unavoidable. We have seen victories in the decisive defeat of two
    terror regimes and in the relentless pursuit of a global terror network.
    Yet the war on terror goes on. We will not be distracted, and we will
    prevail.
        Of those directly involved in organizing the September the 11th
    attacks, almost all are now in custody or confirmed dead. Of the senior
    Al Qaida leaders, operational managers, and key facilitators we have
    been tracking, 65 percent have been captured or killed.
        Still, we recognize that Al Qaida has trained thousands of foot
    soldiers in many nations and that new leaders may emerge. And we suspect
    that some Al Qaida deserters will attach themselves to other terrorist
    groups in order to strike American targets. Terrorists that remain can
    be certain of this: We will hunt them by day and by night in every
    corner of the world until they are no longer a threat to America and our
    friends.
        At this moment, American and allied forces continue the work of
    fighting terrorists and establishing order in Afghanistan. When we
    removed the Taliban from power, surviving Al Qaida members fled from
    most of that country. However, many terrorists sought sanctuary along
    the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and some are still hiding there. These
    Al Qaida and Taliban holdouts have attacked allied bases with unguided
    rockets, conducted ambushes, and fired upon border posts. In close
    cooperation with the Afghan and Pakistani Governments, America is
    engaged in operations to find and destroy these terrorists.
        Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, it is important
    for our fellow citizens to know that Pakistan has apprehended more than
    500 terrorists, including hundreds of members of Al Qaida and the
    Taliban.
        As this fight continues, the people of Afghanistan are moving
    forward with the reconstruction of their country and the founding of a
    democratic government. They have selected a President. They're building
    a national army, and they are now in the final stages of drafting a new
    constitution.
        America and other countries continue to provide humanitarian aid and
    assistance in building clinics and schools and roads. Joined by other
    nations, we are deploying the first group of provincial reconstruction
    teams to various cities in Afghanistan,

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    groups of experts who are working with local officials to improve public
    safety, promote reconstruction, and solidify the authority of elected
    governments.
        Afghanistan still has many challenges, but that country is making
    progress, and its people are a world away from the nightmare they
    endured under the Taliban. Pakistan and Afghanistan are among many
    governments that understand the threat of terror and are determined to
    root it out.
        After the terrible attacks in Riyadh on May the 12th, the Government
    of Saudi Arabia has intensified its longstanding efforts against the Al
    Qaida network. Recently, Saudi's security services apprehended Abu
    Bakr, believed to be a central figure in
    the Riyadh bombing, and killed a major Al Qaida operational planner and
    fundraiser, a man known in terrorist circles as ``Swift Sword.'' Saudi authorities have also
    uncovered terrorist operations in the holy city of Mecca, demonstrating
    once again that terrorists hold nothing sacred and have no home in any
    religion. America and Saudi Arabia face a common terrorist threat, and
    we appreciate the strong, continuing efforts of the Saudi Government in
    fighting that threat.
        The war on terror also continues in Iraq, where coalition forces are
    engaging remnants of the former regime as well as members of terrorist
    groups. We met the major combat objectives in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    We ended a regime that possessed weapons of mass destruction, harbored
    and supported terrorists, suppressed human rights, and defied the just
    demands of the United Nations and the world.
        The true monuments of Saddam Hussein's
    rule have been brought to light, the mass graves, the torture chambers,
    the jail cells for children. And now we are moving forward with the
    reconstruction of that country by restoring basic services, maintaining
    order, searching for the hidden weapons, and helping Iraqis to establish
    a representative government.
        The rise of Iraq as an example of moderation and democracy and
    prosperity is a massive and long-term undertaking. And the restoration
    of that country is critical to the defeat of terror and radicalism
    throughout the Middle East. With so much in the balance, it comes as no
    surprise that freedom has enemies inside of Iraq. The looting and random
    violence that began in the immediate aftermath of war remains a
    challenge in some areas. A greater challenge comes from former Ba'ath
    Party and security officials who will stop at nothing to regain their
    power and their privilege. But there will be no return to tyranny in
    Iraq. And those who threaten the order and stability of that country
    will face ruin, just as surely as the regime they once served.
        Also present in Iraq are terrorist groups seeking to spread chaos
    and to attack American and coalition forces. Among these terrorists are
    members of Ansar Al Islam, which operated in Iraq before the war and is
    now active in the Sunni heartland of the country. We suspect that the
    remnants of a group tied to Al Qaida associate Al Zarqawi are still in Iraq, waiting for an opportunity to
    strike. We're also beginning to see foreign fighters enter Iraq.
        These scattered groups of terrorists, extremists, and
    Saddam loyalists are especially active to the
    north and west of Baghdad, where they have destroyed electricity lines
    and towers, set off explosions at gas pipelines, and ignited sulfur
    fires. They have attacked coalition forces, and they're trying to
    intimidate Iraqi citizens. These groups believe they have found an
    opportunity to harm America, to shake our resolve in the war on terror,
    and to cause us to leave Iraq before freedom is fully established. They
    are wrong, and they will not succeed.
        Those who try to undermine the reconstruction of Iraq are not only
    attacking our coalition; they are attacking the Iraqi people. And we
    will stand with the Iraqi people strongly as they build a hopeful
    future. Having liberated Iraq as promised, we will

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    help that country to found a just and representative government as
    promised. Our goal is a swift transition to Iraqi control of their own
    affairs. People of Iraq will be secure, and the people of Iraq will run
    their own country.
        At present, 230,000 Americans are serving inside or near Iraq. Our
    whole Nation, especially their families, recognizes that our people in
    uniform face continuing danger. We appreciate their service under
    difficult circumstances and their willingness to fight for American
    security and Iraqi freedom. As Commander in Chief, I assure them, we
    will stay on the offensive against the enemy. And all who attack our
    troops will be met with direct and decisive force.
        As America fights our war against terror, we will continue to depend
    on the skill and the courage of our volunteer military. In these last 22
    months, our Armed Forces have been tested and tested again. In every
    case, in every mission, America's service men and women have brought
    credit to the uniform, to our flag, and to our country. We have needed
    you, and you have never let us down.
        I want to thank you for keeping your pledge of duty to America and
    thank you for renewing that demanding pledge today.
        And now, General Myers will administer
    the oath of enlistment in the Armed Forces of the United States. May God
    bless you.

    Note: The President spoke at 2 p.m. in the East Room at the White House.
    In his remarks, he referred to President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan;
    senior Al Qaida associates Abu Bakr Al Azdi and Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; Al
    Qaida operational planner and fundraiser Yousif Salih Fahad Al-Ayeeri,
    also known as ``Swift Sword,'' who was killed on May 31; and former
    President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.