    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [January 29, 2008]
    [Pages 128-129]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Combatant
    Commanders
    January 29, 2008

        Mr. Secretary, thank you very much. Mr.
    Chairman, we're glad you're here. The Vice
    President and I welcome you all. One of the
    highlights of my year is to meet with combatant commanders and the Joint
    Chiefs. We'll have a visit here in the Cabinet Room, talking about the
    war on terror

    [[Page 129]]

    and the ideological struggle that we're engaged in. We'll talk about our
    common desire to protect America and how best to do so. And then we're
    going to have dinner with your spouses, and Laura
    and I are really looking forward to having you upstairs.
        I love our military, and the reason I do is because the character of
    those who wear our uniform, whether they be the general or the private,
    is remarkable. We're a nation that has produced people who are willing
    to volunteer in the face of danger, thank goodness. And as a result, we
    are a nation in the lead in helping defend this world against extremists
    who murder the innocent to achieve an ideological objective.
        And our military is compassionate as well. I'm looking forward to
    the stories from our commanders who will share with us the great
    compassion of our soldiers, whether it's to provide relief from a
    disaster or to help some child recognize the beauty of going to school.
        And so I want to thank you for coming and thank you for serving, and
    I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:11 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House.