[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

[[Page 1255]]

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

[[Page 1256]]

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.

[[Page 1257]]