    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 1, 2007]
    [Pages 1254-1257]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute to General Peter Pace and an Armed Forces Hail in Honor of Admiral Michael G.
    Mullen as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
    Staff at Fort Myer, Virginia
    October 1, 2007

        Mr. Vice President, Mrs. Cheney, Secretary Gates,
    members of the Cabinet, Members of Congress, members of the diplomatic
    corps, members of the finest military ever, that United States military,
    Secretary Rumsfeld, General Myers, members of the Pace and Mullen families, and
    distinguished guests: Today we pay tribute to an outstanding Chairman of
    the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and we welcome his distinguished successor.
        Ceremonies like this are a storied military tradition. It is a time
    when families, friends, and comrades honor those who have fulfilled
    great duties to their nation. It is a time when we show appreciation to
    those who step forward to assume new obligations. It's a time when we
    make generous use of words like ``honor'' and ``character.'' Sometimes
    those words are used too often. In the case of the two men we celebrate
    today, those words cannot be used too much.
        Admiral Mike Mullen comes to this post with a broad and unique range
    of talents and experience. Some of you may not know that his parents
    were highly regarded members of the Hollywood community, who

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    worked for some of the greatest entertainers of the day. Many people are
    surprised when told about the Admiral's show business roots. After all,
    he's humble, well-grounded, and filled with common sense. [Laughter] Not
    exactly what one thinks about when they think of Hollywood values.
    [Laughter]
        Admiral Mullen left California to attend the United States Naval
    Academy to pursue a career in military service. He soon found himself
    stationed on a destroyer on the gunline off the coast of Vietnam. During
    that tour, Admiral Mullen was part of operations so intense that the gun
    barrels on his ship glowed red. That was the beginning of a
    distinguished career.
        The Admiral has commanded three ships, an aircraft carrier battle
    group, and the U.S. Second Fleet. He served as the commander of all U.S.
    naval forces in Europe and the NATO Joint Force Command. And later, as
    Chief of Naval Operations, he championed the construction of new types
    of vessels needed to deal with the threats of the 21st century.
        Admiral Mike Mullen understands what's at stake in the war on
    terror. He was on duty at the Pentagon when Flight 77 made its doomed
    plunge. He felt the plane slam into the building. He saw the carnage and
    devastation. And like all who worked there that terrible day, he still
    carries the pain and the loss. Admiral Mullen was there when war reached
    America's shore, and he brings the talent, vision, and judgment needed
    to help us fight and win that war.
        As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen will follow
    his strong belief that every member of our Armed Forces is, as he put
    it, ``part of one team and one fight.'' He will continue to set a
    sterling example to our men and women in uniform. He will bring judgment
    and candor to decisions that may mean the difference between life and
    death for young Americans who are serving our Nation. He will
    demonstrate the same love of country and dedication to duty that
    inspired his sons to follow him into military service.
        Admiral Mike Mullen is a man of decency and honor, and I
    congratulate you on your new assignment. And I know your parents would
    be proud. And I thank you and Deborah and
    Jack and Michael for
    your service to our Nation.
        As Admiral Mullen begins his service as Chairman, he is fortunate to
    have as an example the man we honor today. General Pete Pace is one of
    the most respected and accomplished military leaders I have ever known.
    He helped craft America's response to an unprecedented assault on our
    homeland. He helped liberate two nations from brutal tyrannies and
    helped bring freedom to millions of people. He began the process of
    transforming our military into a more efficient and effective force.
        Yet these accomplishments do not begin to tell the full story of
    this remarkable man. That story begins in Teaneck, New Jersey, where
    General Pace grew up the proud son of an Italian immigrant. His dad
    worked two and sometimes three jobs to provide for his family. His mom
    attended church service every Sunday, and, according to the good
    general, still lights candles to pray that her children are happy,
    healthy, and safe.
        General Pace was a good student and a good athlete. His mom said the
    general has been good at everything he's ever done. Some of you may
    think mothers are required to say only admiring things about their sons.
    Well, take it from me, it's not always the case. [Laughter]
        General Pace's dad died before he could see his son reach the height
    of his career, yet he always knew that his son would be a success. His
    family believed in his potential, and they weren't the only ones.
    There's something about General Pete Pace that makes believers out of
    nearly everyone. That includes the men who served with him in Vietnam
    and whom he led during some of the most vicious urban combat in American
    military history. It includes the

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    troops he led in Somalia, who looked to him for resolve and guidance
    during difficult times. It includes marines, who look with pride on the
    first of their ranks to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It includes two
    Secretaries of Defense, who relied on the general during tough and trying times.
    And it includes a President, who has counted on General Pace's candor
    and sound judgment during some of the most difficult times in our
    country's history.
        During his service at the Pentagon, General Pete Pace has shown us
    many talents. He's shown an intellect sharpened by postgraduate studies
    at George Washington and Harvard. He's shown us great oratorical skills;
    this is a man who frequently speaks without notes. I really don't
    recommend this to everyone. [Laughter] He's shown a sharp wit. When a
    naval commander once made an edgy joke in front of the Secretary of
    Defense, the general stepped right in and
    gave the young officer some advice. He said, ``Never let a promising
    career stand in the way of a good joke.'' [Laughter]
        The most important attribute General Pete Pace has shown us is a
    quiet strength. It is a strength that has won the admiration of friends
    and peers. It is a strength built on the love and support of a strong
    and devoted wife Lynne and their family,
    Peter, Lynsey, and
    Tiffany. It is a strength that gave Pete
    solace in the tough and sometimes bitter world of Washington, DC. It
    helped him bring selflessness to a city filled with egos and a dignity
    to a political process that might have worn down a lesser man. He now
    leaves active service with a distinguished team in place and a talented
    successor. And yet I also have the sense that General Pace is not going
    to end it all here. He's a man who has always put country first, and he
    will find new ways to serve.
        General Pete Pace always understood what's important. It wasn't the
    titles he received or the honors bestowed, and it certainly was not the
    good graces of official Washington. What mattered most were the young
    men and women who serve our country and risk their lives for its honored
    cause. He kept a picture on his desk of the first marine who died under
    his command in Vietnam. He can still recite the names of all other
    marines who died under that first command. And because this is a man
    with a tender heart, sometimes it's hard for him to get through all the
    names without choking up a little bit.
        Pete has devoted his life to those who wear our country's uniform.
    And they are devoted to General Pace. They're among the hundreds who've
    received his advice and friendship. They're among the thousands who
    lined up at military bases during his final tour to shake his hand and
    wish him well and say goodbye. They're among the millions whose names he
    will never know but who will always remember him. And they include that
    single soldier who came up to the General on his last visit to the war
    zone. He looked at General Pace with gratitude, respect, and pride and
    said, ``Thanks for your service. We'll take it from here.''
        General Pace, throughout your life, you have led those troops to
    honorable achievements and into the pages of history. Because of your
    example, you can know that with courage, valor, and confidence, they
    will take it from here.
        And so Godspeed to my friend General Pete Pace. Thanks for your
    courage. Thanks for your leadership. And thanks for your service to a
    country we love.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:47 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    former Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld; and Gen. Richard B.
    Meyers, USAF (Ret.), former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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