    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [January 6, 2009]
    [Pages 1515-1517]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Military Appreciation Parade in Arlington, Virginia
    January 6, 2009

        Thank you very much. At ease.
        Mr. Secretary, thank you for the kind
    introduction, and thank you for being an outstanding Secretary of
    Defense. For a while, we expected this event to be a joint retirement
    party. It didn't turn out that way, did it? [Laughter] I am pleased that
    President-elect Obama has asked you to stay on,
    and I am confident that you'll continue to be a strong leader as the
    Secretary of Defense.
        And, Admiral Mullen, thank you for
    your strong advice, your clear thinking, and your years of service to
    our country.
        I want to thank you for honoring Laura, who's
    been a fabulous First Lady. The military gave her the Distinguished
    Service Award; a lot of friends from Texas think she deserved the Purple
    Heart. [Laughter] I wish I'd have thought of the roses.
        Mr. Vice President, I am proud to have
    served with you for 8 years. The military has had no stauncher defender
    in my administration than Vice President Dick Cheney.
        I thank members of the Cabinet, members of the administration, and
    former members of the Cabinet, especially the former Secretary of
    Defense, who did an outstanding job,
    Secretary Don Rumsfeld.
        I thank the current members of the Joint Chiefs and their families,
    as well as the former members of the Joint Chiefs and their families,
    for joining us today. I want to thank those who wear the uniform,
    distinguished guests.
        As my time in office winds down, the days bring a series of lasts. I
    made my last overseas trip on Air Force One. I have delivered my final
    college commencement as President. And after much consideration, I
    pardoned my last Thanksgiving turkey. [Laughter] These have all been
    wonderful experiences. But nothing compares to the honor of standing
    before you today and addressing America's Armed Forces as your Commander
    in Chief.
        Over the past 8 years, I have seen the valor of the American
    military time and time again. I saw your valor on September the 11th,
    2001, in servicemembers rushing into smoke-filled corridors to save
    their colleagues at the Pentagon and in planes patrolling the skies
    above New York City and Washington. I saw your valor in the days after
    the attack, when Americans crowded into recruiting centers across our
    country, raised their hands to serve, and pledged to defend our people
    and our freedom.
        I saw your valor in the forces who deployed to Afghanistan. Within
    weeks of September the 11th, you closed down the terrorist training
    camps, and you drove the Taliban from power. I saw your valor in the
    fearless troops who stormed across the Iraqi desert and destroyed a
    regime that threatened America. I saw your valor in battle-tested
    warriors who signed up for a second or third or fourth tour and made the
    surge in Iraq one of the great successes in America's military history.
        The valor of America's Armed Forces have made our Nation safer.
    Because you've taken the fight to the terrorists abroad, we have not had
    to face them here at home. And the world has seen something that almost
    no one thought possible: More than 7 years after September the 11th,
    there has not been another attack on American soil.
        The decisions I made as your Commander in Chief have not always been
    popular. But the cause you have served has always been just and right.
    The missions you have carried out have always been necessary. And the
    work you have done has every bit--has been every bit as courageous and
    idealistic as that of any generation that came before you.

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        In the years since the war on terror began, America's Armed Forces
    have led the largest military liberation since World War II. Because of
    your actions, more than 50 million Afghans and Iraqis have seen the
    chains of despotism broken and are living in the liberty that the
    Creator intended. The new wave of freedom in the Middle East has made
    America more secure at home, because it is undermining the culture of
    tyranny that fosters radicalism.
        There will become a day when your grandchildren will ask, ``What did
    you do during your time in uniform?'' And you'll be able to say, ``We
    made the military stronger. We made the world freer. And we made America
    more secure.''
        You'll be able to tell them the story of the first decade in the
    21st century, their early days of a generational struggle against terror
    and extremism. It is a story of a global coalition led by the United
    States that is dedicated to eliminating the forces of oppression and
    fear. It is the story of the Iraqi people proudly holding up ink-stained
    fingers to show that the threat of violence could not break their
    commitment to liberty. It is the story of young girls going to school in
    Afghanistan after years when educating a woman could be punished with
    beatings or imprisonment. It is the story about the character in men and
    women who volunteered to leave the comforts of home to defend freedom
    and keep our Nation safe.
        On behalf of the American people, I thank you for making that
    sacrifice. I know you have not shouldered the burdens of military life
    alone. You've had the support of strong and loving families to sustain
    you. And this morning, I want all of you and your families to hear your
    Commander in Chief loud and clear: We appreciate you, we love you, and
    we honor your service.
        We also honor our wounded warriors and those who never returned home
    from the field of battle. In their sacrifices, we see one of the
    extraordinary legacies of our Armed Forces: the willingness to give
    everything to secure safety at home and liberty abroad.
        As the Admiral pointed out, we saw
    that selfless spirit in people like Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, a
    Navy SEAL who served in Iraq. In the fall of 2006, on a rooftop in Iraq,
    Mike threw himself onto a grenade in order to save the lives of his
    teammates. As Admiral Mullen mentioned, I had the honor of presenting
    Michael Monsoor's parents his posthumous Medal of Honor in the White House. On
    that day, I saw the deep sadness that is familiar to anyone who has lost
    a loved one in the line of duty. But I also saw the pride that comes
    with such noble sacrifice and the recognition that our freedom and our
    security only endure because of the acts of bravery like Michael
    Monsoor's.
        That kind of courage, character, and devotion defines our Armed
    Forces. So this morning, I cannot accept your kind tribute unless I'm
    allowed to return the favor. To the men and women of the Army, the Navy,
    the Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and all those who serve in the
    Department of Defense: You have the respect of a grateful nation that
    you have kept safe. You have the admiration of millions around the world
    who would have never tasted freedom without you. You have the undying
    love and respect of a man who has been proud to call himself your
    Commander in Chief.
        Two weeks from today, Laura and I will take
    our final trip back to Texas, or as you Texans understand, back to the
    promised land. We have the honor of doing it onboard a 747 piloted by
    the United States Air Force; Colonel Mark Tillman will be the lead pilot. This brings a fitting symmetry:
    The military brought me to Washington 8 years ago, and on January the
    20th, the military is taking me home.
        We will take with us many fond memories that we will cherish for the
    rest of our lives. We will always remember that you answered the call to
    serve when your Nation needed you most. We will always

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    remember that you did your duty with honor and dignity. And we will
    always remember the debt of gratitude that each of us who lives in
    freedom owes to each of you who has protected it.
        May God bless you. And may God always bless the United States.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:21 a.m. at Fort Myer. In his remarks, he
    referred to George and Sally Monsoor, parents of posthumous Medal of
    Honor recipient PO 2d Class Michael A. Monsoor, USN. The transcript
    released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks
    of Adm. Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and
    Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates.