[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
[December 6, 2008]
[Pages 1423-1424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Interview With Sam Ryan of CBS Sports in 
Philadelphia
December 6, 2008

Army-Navy Football Game

    Ms. Ryan. Mr. President, we know this is one of the most storied 
rivalries in all of sports. What does the Army-Navy game mean to you?
    The President. Well, it means to me that I have--I got a chance to 
come and be with people who will be joining the finest military in the 
history of the world.

[[Page 1424]]

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces

    Ms. Ryan. When you look at these young players and the seniors, and 
you know that they enrolled in the academies after 9/11, what does that 
say about them?
    The President. I stand in awe of somebody who would volunteer to 
serve America in a time of danger. It says that we are blessed to have 
people of such character in our country.

The Presidency

    Ms. Ryan. Mr. President, I know you're probably doing a lot of 
reflecting here on December 6. What will you miss the most about being 
President?
    The President. I will miss a lot of things. But one of the things I 
have treasured the most is to be the Commander in Chief of men and women 
of courage and character and decency.
    Ms. Ryan. Thank you, Mr. President.

Note: The interview began at 12:11 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
interview.