    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [January 10, 2009]
    [Pages 1528-1529]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    January 10, 2009

        Good morning. This week, I gave my official farewell speech to the
    men and women of America's Armed Forces in a ceremony at Fort Myer,
    Virginia. For the past 8 years, I have had no higher honor than serving
    as the Commander in Chief of these brave patriots. And when Laura and I depart for Texas later this month, we will take
    with us many inspiring memories of the valor that we have seen these
    brave Americans display time and again.
        We saw their 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, DC.

    [[Page 1529]]

        We saw their valor in the days after that attack, when Americans
    crowded into recruiting centers across our country, raised their hands
    to serve, and pledged to defend our people and our freedom.
        We saw their valor in the forces who deployed to Afghanistan within
    weeks of 9/11, closed down the terrorist training camps, and drove the
    Taliban from power.
        We saw their valor in the fearless troops who stormed across the
    Iraqi desert and destroyed a regime that threatened America.
        We saw their valor in battle-tested warriors who signed up for a
    second or third or fourth tour and made the troop surge in Iraq that I
    announced 2 years ago today one of the great successes in American
    military history.
        America's Armed Forces have liberated more than 50 million people
    around the world and made our Nation safer. They have taken the fight to
    the terrorists abroad so that 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
    terrorist attack on American soil. This is no coincidence.
        In addition to our military, many other Americans have worked
    tirelessly to ensure our safety in the years since 9/11. Law enforcement
    officials have worked to secure our country and remained watchful
    against future attacks. Intelligence analysts have tracked information
    that allowed us to disrupt terrorist plots before they reached our
    shores. And homeland security agents have worked to secure our ports,
    our borders, and our skies.
        We owe a debt of gratitude to all of these patriots. Because of
    their devotion to service, many Americans live their lives without the
    fear and uncertainty that they felt in the days just after 9/11. This
    continued safety has been a blessing. But we must never allow it to
    foster complacency. America still faces sworn enemies intent on striking
    our Nation and our people. And we must remain vigilant for as long as
    that threat remains.
        I know that our men and women in uniform have remained vigilant.
    These Americans answer the call to defend freedom when it is under
    attack. They put their lives on the line to defend democracy and keep
    our country safe. And they inspire a nation with their selflessness and
    their courage. I am proud to have served as their Commander in Chief.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:55 a.m. on January 9 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 10. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    January 9, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.