    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 24, 2003]
    [Pages 1608-1612]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Military Personnel at Fort Carson, Colorado
    November 24, 2003

        The President. Thank you all.
        Audience members. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
        The President. Thank you all very much. Thank you for the warm
    welcome. I'm honored to be in the Rocky Mountain State. I'm honored to
    be in Fort Carson. More importantly, I'm honored to be in the presence
    of so many fine Americans, so many great citizens who proudly wear our
    Nation's uniform.
        The soldiers of Fort Carson are now engaged in the largest
    deployment from this

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    post since World War II. You reflect tremendous credit to the United
    States Army. You bring great pride to the people of the United States of
    America.
        The people of our Armed Forces are serving at a crucial period for
    America and for all free nations. We're at war with terrorists who hate
    what we stand for, liberty, democracy, tolerance, and the rights and
    dignity of every person. We're a peaceful nation, yet we are prepared to
    confront any danger. We are fighting the terrorists in Iraq and
    Afghanistan and in other parts of the world so we do not have to fight
    them on the streets of our own cities. And we will win.
        In this war, America depends on our people in uniform to protect our
    freedom and to keep our country safe, and all who serve depend every day
    on the support of your families. These are challenging times for
    military families. You in the Pikes Peak community know that very well.
    Military life makes many demands on wives and husbands and sons and
    daughters. You have faced hardships, and you have faced them together.
    And I want you to know, our whole Nation is grateful to our military
    families.
        America is also indebted to the men and women of the Guard and
    Reserve who are serving abroad and to those who are called for homeland
    security assignments. Hundreds of Reserve units across America have been
    activated in this time of war. Our country thanks these fine citizens,
    and we thank their employers for putting duty first.
        I want to thank Major General Bob Wilson
    for his leadership and his strength of character. I want to thank
    General Larry Ellis as well for greeting me
    here today. It's my honor to have met General Lance Lord, Commander of the Air Force Space Command. I appreciate
    Colonels Orr, Terry, Wininger, and Resty for being such strong leaders and for greeting
    me here. It was my privilege to have lunch with Sergeant Major Mac
    McWilliams. He's the kind of guy you
    don't want to cross. [Laughter] He's the kind of guy you want on your
    side. I'm glad he's on my side, and I'm glad you're on my side. I
    appreciate Bill Hybl, who is the Civilian
    Aide to the Secretary of the Army.
        I want to thank the families of the fallen soldiers who are here
    with us today. Our prayers are with you. We ask for God's strength and
    God's guidance.
        I'm honored that the great Governor of the great State of Colorado
    is with us today, Governor Bill Owens. We've got
    some members of the United States Congressional delegation here who are
    strong supporters of our military and our military families, Congressman
    Hefley and McInnis,
    Tancredo, Beauprez,
    and Musgrave. Thank you all for coming. I'm
    honored you're here.
        The speaker of the house is here; Madam Speaker, thank you for coming, Lola Spradley. The mayor of
    Colorado Springs and the mayor of
    Fountain, Mayor Rivera and Mayor Barela, are with
    us as well. Thank you all for coming. I thank all State and local
    officials for being here. But most of all, I want to thank you all for
    coming. It's my honor to be here.
        When I landed, when I got off that magnificent bird, Air Force One,
    I was greeted by a lady named Diane Campbell.
    She brought her family with her. She's an active volunteer with the Army
    Family Team Building program. [Applause] As I said, she brought her
    family with her. [Laughter]
        The reason I bring up Diane Campbell is,
    oftentimes people measure the strength of America based upon the number
    of tanks and airplanes we have or the size of our wallets. No, the
    strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens. You
    see, people like Diane Campbell are providing training and information
    to military spouses and families to help them adjust to the life in the
    Army. See, they're reaching out. They've heard the universal call to
    love a neighbor just like they would like to be loved themselves. The
    true

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    strength of America is the American people, because we're a
    compassionate, decent, caring, loving people, just like Diane Campbell.
        I want to thank Diane and all the Army
    Family Team Building members for your service. I ask you all to reach
    out a hand to somebody who hurts. I ask you to help us change our
    country one lonely soul at a time.
        For more than 60 years, the units of Fort Carson have been known for
    training hard and being prepared at all times. Men and women have gone
    forth from this base to make history, from the Pacific theater in World
    War II to Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Many thousands who served in
    these causes still live here in this area. I don't blame you. [Laughter]
    It's a beautiful part of our country. Our veterans and military retirees
    played their part in maintaining the greatest fighting force in the
    world. They kept our country free, and we are grateful to the veterans
    who are with us here today.
        Today, a new generation has been called to great challenges. The
    soldiers of the Mountain Post have been called to serve in the first war
    of the 21st century. This war began more than 2 years ago, on September
    the 11th, 2001, when America was attacked and thousands of our fellow
    citizens were murdered. The events of that morning changed our Nation.
    We awakened to new dangers, and we accepted new responsibilities. That
    day we saw the harm that our enemies intend for us. And last week we saw
    their cruelty again, in the murders in Istanbul. Today, America,
    Britain, and Turkey and all responsible nations are united in a great
    cause: We will not rest until we bring these committed killers to
    justice.
        These terrorists will not be stopped by negotiations or by appeals
    to reason or by the least hint of conscience. We have only one option:
    We must and we will continue to take the fight to the enemy.
        We fight this war against terror on many fronts. Terrorists hide and
    strike within free societies, so we're draining their bank accounts,
    disrupting their plans. We're hunting them down one by one until they
    can no longer threaten America and other free peoples.
        Terrorists need places to hide, to plot, and to train, so we're
    holding their allies, the allies of terror, to account. Working with a
    fine coalition, our military went to Afghanistan, destroyed the training
    camps of Al Qaida, and put the Taliban out of business forever.
        In Iraq, where a dictator defied the
    world, cultivated ties to terror, armed with deadly weapons, America led
    a mission to make the world safer and to liberate the Iraqi people, and
    that brutal dictator's regime is no more. Thanks to our great military,
    Iraqi citizens do not have to fear the dictator's secret police or
    ending in a mass grave. Thanks to our military, the torture chambers are
    closed, and the prison cells for children are empty. Thanks to our
    military, we have captured many members of the former regime, and the
    rest of them have a lot to worry about.
        Recently, in Operation Iron Hammer, our coalition worked with the
    Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and police to strike hard against the forces
    of murder and chaos. We countered attacks. We seized weapons. We brought
    coldblooded killers to justice. We're proud of all who participated in
    these forceful and successful operations. And we're sending a clear
    message: Anyone who seeks to harm our soldiers can know that our great
    soldiers are hunting for them.
        Our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan is clear to our servicemembers,
    and it's clear to our enemies. America's military is fighting to secure
    the freedom of more than 50 million people who recently lived under two
    of the cruelest dictatorships on Earth. America's military is fighting
    to help democracy and peace and justice rise in a troubled and violent
    region. And because

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    we're fighting terrorist enemies thousands of miles away, in the heart
    and center of their power, we are making the United States of America
    more secure.
        Units from this base have been vital to our campaigns in Afghanistan
    and Iraq. The 7th Infantry Division has done fine work preparing Guard
    brigades for combat duty overseas, with one battalion in Iraq from the
    start of Operation Iraqi Freedom; preparing a brigade to deploy and a
    brigade now in Afghanistan; helping to train the Afghan National Army.
    We're grateful for the 3d Brigade Combat Team, the 3d Armored Calvary
    Regiment, the 10th Special Forces Group, the 43d Area Support Group.
    These and other units are showing the skill and the discipline that
    define Fort Carson, and you're showing the courage that defines the
    United States Army.
        Today, American forces in Iraq are joined by about 24,000 troops
    from 32 other countries. Together, we're helping the Iraqi people move
    steadily toward a free and democratic society. Economic life is being
    restored to cities of Iraq. A new Iraqi currency is circulating. Local
    governments are up and running. Iraq will soon begin the process of
    drafting a constitution, with free elections to follow. As Iraq rejoins
    the world, it will demonstrate the power of freedom and hope to overcome
    resentment and hatred. And this transformation will help make America
    more secure.
        The work we are in is not easy, yet it is essential. The failure of
    democracy in Iraq would provide new bases for the terrorist network and
    embolden terrorists and their allies around the world. The failure of
    democracy in those countries would convince terrorists that America
    backs down under attack. Yet democracy will succeed in Iraq, because our
    will is firm and our word is good. Democracy will succeed because every
    month, more and more Iraqis are fighting for their own country. People
    we have liberated will not surrender their freedom. Democracy will
    succeed because the United States of America will not be intimidated by
    a bunch of thugs.
        This community knows firsthand that the mission in Iraq is difficult
    and the enemy is dangerous. Saddam loyalists
    and foreign terrorists are attacking the symbols of order and freedom,
    from international aid workers to coalition forces to innocent Iraqi
    citizens. Terrorists have chosen to make a stand and test our resolve.
    Our resolve will not be shaken.
        It is the nature of terrorism that a small number of people can
    inflict terrible grief, and here, you felt loss. Every person who dies
    in the line of duty leaves a family that lives in sorrow and comrades
    who must go on without them. The Fort Carson community said farewell to
    some of your best. One of them was Staff Sergeant Daniel Bader. This good man left behind his wife, Tiffany, and their 14-month-old daughter. Tiffany Bader said this to a reporter recently: ``I'm
    going to wait until she is old enough to realize what happened, and I
    will tell her exactly what her daddy did for her. He died serving his
    country so that my little girl could grow up free.''
        The courage of that soldier and the courage
    of that wife show the spirit of this country
    in the face of great adversity. And all our military families that mourn
    can know this: Our Nation will never forget the sacrifice their loved
    one made to protect us all.
        By the unselfish dedication of Americans in uniform, children in our
    own country and in lands far away will be able to live in freedom and
    know the peace that freedom brings. As Americans, we believe that
    freedom is not America's gift to the world; freedom is the Almighty
    God's gift to every person who lives in the world.
        As men and women who serve the cause of freedom, each one of you has
    answered a great calling. You live by a code of honor, in service to
    your Nation, for the safety and security of your fellow citizens. You
    and I have taken an oath to defend America. We're meeting that duty
    together, and

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    I'm proud to be the Commander in Chief of the greatest military, full of
    the finest people on the face of this earth.
        God bless you all. God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:28 p.m. in a hangar at Butts Army
    Airfield. In his remarks, he referred to Maj. Gen. Robert Wilson, USA,
    commander, Fort Carson; Gen. Larry R. Ellis, USA, commanding general,
    U.S. Army Forces Command; General Lance W. Lord, USAF, commander, Air
    Force Space Command; Col. Joseph E. Orr, USA, deputy commanding general,
    and Col. Michael J. Terry, USA, assistant division commander for
    support, 7th Infantry Division (Light) and Fort Carson; Col. Walter
    Wininger, USA, chief of staff, 7th Infantry Division and Fort Carson;
    Col. Michael Resty, Jr., USA, garrison commander, Fort Carson; Command
    Sgt. Maj. Terrance McWilliams, USA, Fort Carson; Lola Spradley, speaker
    of the Colorado House of Representatives; Mayor Lionel Rivera of
    Colorado Springs, CO; Mayor Ken Barela of Fountain, CO; and former
    President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.