    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [July 21, 2006]
    [Pages 1433-1434]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Military Personnel and an Exchange With
    Reporters in Aurora, Colorado
    July 21, 2006

    [The President's remarks are joined in progress.]

        The President. ----and this country supports you and admires you and
    appreciates your dedication. You're doing some hard work. It's hard work
    to defeat terrorists, killers that wanted to achieve their objective.
    But we'll succeed; we'll prevail.
        I want our troops to understand that not only does the country
    support them, but we'll win. It's in our national interests that we win.
    And we will. We've got some powerful, powerful weapons on our side.
    We've got the men and women who wear the uniform, people who bring such
    dignity and honor and bring compassion to people who have been suffering
    under tyranny and are now wondering whether or not the future is bright
    for them. And we've got freedom on our side too, and freedom is a
    powerful weapon. People want to be free.
        And again, I want to thank you all for your service. I want to thank
    your families. I wish they were here so I could thank
    them in person. But your sacrifice has meant a lot. Congratulations for
    stepping up and volunteering and being a part of history. Thanks for
    giving me a chance to visit and have a little lunch with you. God bless
    you all.

    Secretary Rice's Upcoming Visit to the
    Middle East

        Q. Mr. President, what do you hope Secretary Rice accomplishes on
    her trip to the Middle East, sir?
        The President. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow when I--Sunday,
    when I get back to the White House. We're going to have a good visit.
        Q. What do you hope she accomplishes, sir?
        The President. I said I would talk to her tomorrow.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:35 a.m. at Tamale Fiesta Kitchen. A tape
    was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.

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