    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [May 30, 2004]
    [Pages 945-946]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Telephone Remarks to the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom
    May 30, 2004

        Thank you, Artie. It's great talking to
    you. I'm so pleased to speak to the members of Rolling Thunder as you
    attend the annual Ride for Freedom. I want to thank you for your
    leadership. You might tell them, Artie, that it was my honor to host you
    in the Oval Office--you and Mike Cobb and Gary
    Sheffmeyer and Jay Fairlamb and other special guests. I really
    appreciated you coming by to say hello.
        I also received a letter from you last week, if you know, Artie. I
    thought you were going to offer me riding lessons--turned out you
    offered me Rolling Thunder's national endorsement for my reelection, and
    I want to thank you for your support. I'm really proud to have you stand
    by me--and the membership.
        But more importantly, I appreciate the tremendous service that the
    members of Rolling Thunder perform on behalf of our veterans and active
    duty Armed Forces. I'm not surprised you're doing such good work
    because, like you, Artie, most are veterans. You understand the
    definition of sacrifice.
        This weekend, as you mentioned, is Memorial Day, a day we honor the
    memory of the heroes who have fallen in battle. And I want to thank you
    for recognizing that, Artie, and I want to thank your vast membership
    for recognizing that as well.
        I'm also calling to thank you because for 17 years you've worked to
    see that our war veterans are remembered, returned home, and reunited
    with their families. I know that your work and your persistence and your
    diligence means a lot to relatives all over our country who wonder about
    their loved one--the fate of their loved one. In the Oval Office, I
    looked you in the eye as you told me about your relentless pursuit of
    finding out the plight of many of our POW/MIAs, and I appreciate so very
    much your concern, your care, and your persistence.
        I also want to thank you and your organization, Artie, for honoring
    the men and women of our military who fight today in Afghanistan and in
    Iraq. You and I know--both know that they're carrying out this mission,
    a mission which will make America more secure and the world more free,
    with incredible courage and compassion and skill.
        I am proud to be the Commander in Chief of these brave Americans. I
    will do--I will always honor their service. I will do everything in my
    power to ensure that they and their families receive the gratitude and
    respect of our great Nation.
        It's a high honor, Artie, to serve as President of this great
    country. I work every day to be worthy of that honor. And I'm calling to
    tell you how much I appreciate the great faith you and your organization
    have placed in me by endorsing me for a second term.
        Ride safe. May God bless you. May God bless your families, and may
    God continue to bless our great country. Thanks a lot.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:40 p.m. from the Residence at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Artie Muller, president, Mike
    Cobb, chairman of the board, Gary Sheffmeyer, vice president, and
    Preston B. ``Jay'' Fairlamb, second vice president, Rolling Thunder,
    Inc.

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