    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [September 13, 2008]
    [Pages 1197-1199]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    September 13, 2008

        Good morning. This week, Americans marked 7 years since the
    terrorist attacks that shook our Nation on September the 11th, 2001. On
    that day, we witnessed unspeakable destruction perpetrated by evil men,
    but we also witnessed selfless acts of valor and compassion performed by
    courageous citizens. And we saw the strength of the American people as
    they rallied in defense of the Nation.
        On Thursday, I dedicated a new 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon. In the
    years to come, parents will visit this site to remember children who
    boarded Flight 77 for a field trip and never emerged from the wreckage.
    Husbands and wives will visit the memorial to remember spouses who left
    for work one morning and never returned home. And people from across our
    Nation

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    will visit to remember the heroism of rescue workers who rushed into the
    burning Pentagon to save the lives of their fellow citizens.
        Seven years after the attacks of 9/11, this spirit of heroism lives
    on. We see it in the courageous members of the United States Armed
    Forces. These brave men and women have volunteered to defend our Nation
    during a time of war. Every day, they are confronting our enemies abroad
    so we do not have to face them here at home. And because of their
    efforts, our Nation is safer today than it was 7 years ago.
        In Afghanistan, where the 9/11 attacks were planned, our men and
    women in uniform toppled the Taliban regime, destroyed Al Qaida camps,
    and liberated more than 25 million Afghans. In the years since, members
    of the Taliban and Al Qaida have sought to regain power through acts of
    terror. The United States and our allies are meeting this challenge head
    on. We will not allow Afghanistan to once again become a safe haven for
    terror.
        Earlier this week, I announced additional American troop deployments
    to Afghanistan. In November, a Marine battalion that was scheduled to
    deploy to Iraq will deploy to Afghanistan instead. It will be followed
    in January by an Army combat brigade. This continuing commitment to the
    Afghan people illustrates a stark contrast: While the terrorists and
    extremists deliberately target and murder the innocent, coalition and
    Afghan forces risk their lives to protect the innocent.
        America is also on the offense against terrorists and extremists in
    Iraq. Since we launched the surge last year, violence has fallen to its
    lowest point since the spring of 2004. While the enemy in Iraq is still
    dangerous, we seized the offensive, and Iraqi forces are becoming
    increasingly capable of leading and winning the fight. As a result,
    we've been able to carry out a policy of return on success, reducing the
    number of American combat forces in Iraq as conditions on the ground
    there continue to improve.
        After reviewing conditions in Iraq, General Petraeus and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have recommended additional
    force reductions. By February, about 8,000 additional American troops
    will have returned home without replacement. And if this progress in
    Iraq continues to hold, General Petraeus and our military leaders
    believe additional reductions will be possible in the first half of
    2009.
        In the 7 years since the attacks of September the 11th, the men and
    women of our Armed Forces and their wonderful families have been a
    source of pride for the Nation. Those who do not wear the uniform also
    have a responsibility to serve our country. After 9/11, I called on
    Americans to devote at least 4,000 hours--or 2 years over the course of
    a lifetime--to volunteering in their communities. This morning I renew
    that call. Serving others is more than just a generous act, it is
    essential to the health of our society. And as any volunteer can tell
    you, when you bring hope to the lives of others, the life you enrich
    most is usually your own.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:30 a.m. on September 12 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on September
    13. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on September 12, but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. In his address, the President referred to Gen. David H.
    Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.

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