    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [March 3, 2008]
    [Page 309]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Lieutenant General Raymond T.
    Odierno
    March 3, 2008

        General Ray Odierno served for 30 months in Iraq. He's nominated to
    Vice Chairman [Vice Chief of Staff] * of the Army. And I asked him to
    come in for several reasons. One, I wanted to thank him. And in thanking
    the general, I'm really thanking everybody who has worn the uniform and
    served in this war against the extremists and terrorists. And in
    thanking the general, I'm also thanking Mrs. Odierno and every wife or every husband whose spouse has been
    far away from home and is serving.
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        * White House correction.
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        And in listening to the general, I was listening carefully to make
    sure that the decisions that had been made were the right decisions and
    that the progress that's being made is real. I mean, this is a man who
    was there when times looked grim and a man who observed firsthand
    progress that was made as a result of the surge.
        He was a straightforward fellow who gave me his candid advice on how
    best to proceed, not necessarily with troop levels, because that study
    is going on now, but in making sure that we continue programs such as
    what's called the CERP money. This is money for our commanders to make--
    to help these local folks rebuild and reconcile.
        And so, general, I want to thank you for your service. And I
    appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of
    those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq. You were the--you and General
    Petraeus were a unbelievably strong one-
    two combination.
        And my call and my assurance, sir, is that the gains that you and
    your teams have made will continue on, because stakes in Iraq are
    essential for peace, essential for freedom, and essential for the
    security of this country. I'm honored to be your Commander in Chief.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:10 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Linda Odierno, wife of Lt. Gen.
    Odierno; and Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-
    National Force--Iraq.