    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [September 8, 2007]
    [Pages 1190-1191]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Visit With Wounded Troops and Their Families at
    Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
    September 8, 2007

        The President. I appreciate the Governor of
    this beautiful State, Admiral Keating,
    his wife, for their hospitality. The
    Secretary and I have just landed. We've come from Australia; we're on
    our way to DC. And I decided that it was best to stop and say hello to
    some of our wounded soldiers and sailors and marines.
        Every time I have an opportunity to meet people who have sacrificed
    on behalf of the security of the country, I'm amazed at their spirit and
    their resolve. One of the things I look for is to make sure that these
    troops and their families are getting the best possible treatment. If
    they've got any complaints, I'm available for them to air them out.
        And what I heard was encouraging; that people feel like they're
    getting the best possible care. And that makes me feel good. I told
    them, when I was in the room, that I came back from Iraq encouraged by
    what I saw. No question, there's still hard work to do, but my resolve
    is as strong as it's ever been. I believe we're doing the right thing
    there for the security of the country and for the peace of the world.
        General David Petraeus will be
    reporting to the Congress, along with Ambassador Crocker, on Monday and Tuesday. I will then talk about a way
    forward after their report. I ask the Members of Congress just to sit
    back and listen to what we all have to say before they reach the
    conclusions that they're going to reach. But one thing is for certain:
    Now is the time to do the hard work in order to make sure that we can
    have a peaceful world, now is the time to deny the radicals and
    extremists a safe haven, and now is the time to advance democracy in the
    heart of the Middle East. I believe that's the calling of our time, and
    I believe we'll succeed. And I know it's necessary we do.
        Anyway, thank you all for your hospitality.
        Admiral Timothy J. Keating. Yes, sir.
        The President. Admiral said he cooked
    some lunch for us today. I'm looking forward to having it.
        Adm. Keating. Caught the fish and
    then cooked the lunch.
        The President. Governor, proud to be with
    you.
        Governor Linda Lingle of Hawaii. Thank you.
    Thank you, Mr. President.
        The President. Thank you very much.

    The First Lady

        Q. Did you change any minds, Mr. President, with your trip?
        Q. How is Mrs. Bush?
        The President. She's doing great, thank you. I talked to Laura,
    talked to her twice. I talked to her right before she went in for the
    surgery, in Australia, and then talked to her twice on the airplane. Her
    spirits are good. They feel like the surgery was a success. She's now
    back at the White House. I told her I'm looking forward to having
    breakfast with her. I told her I'd be home soon. And I'm just grateful
    that the doctors did a good job, and I thank God for the fact that it
    came out well.
        Q. Is she going to be released by the time you get home, sir?
        The President. Yes, she's at the White House now.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:16 p.m. at the Tradewinds Enlisted Club.
    In his remarks, he referred to Adm. Timothy J. Keating, USN, commander,
    U.S. Pacific Command, and his wife Wanda Lee; and Gen. David H.
    Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq. A portion
    of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was incomplete.

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