    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 14, 2007]
    [Page 747]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Military Leaders
    June 14, 2007

        It's been my honor to receive General Dempsey and his wife here to the Oval
    Office to thank both of them for their service to the country. General
    Dempsey has just come out of Iraq, where he is working with the Iraqi
    troops to prepare for--to prepare them for the day when they will be
    responsible for the security of their country. He explained to me the
    progress that has been made over the years that he has been there.
    Obviously, we have still more work to do.
        But I--my main purpose of inviting the general here is to hear his summary, but to thank him. It's an
    extraordinary country where people volunteer to go into combat zones to
    protect the security of the United States of America. No more important
    mission for our military than Iraq and Afghanistan.
        And General Dempsey and his family
    have been very much involved in this war on terror. And we appreciate
    you and thank you and wish you all the best in your next assignment.
        Thanks for being here.

     Note:  The President spoke at 10:22 a.m. in the Oval Office at the
    White House. Participating in the meeting were Vice President Dick
    Cheney; Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Lt.
    Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, USA, former commander, Multi-National Security
    Transition Command--Iraq, and his wife Deanie.