    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 13 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
    [Pages 563-564]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Telephone Remarks From Norfolk, Virginia, to United States Troops at
    Aviano Air Base in Italy

    April 1, 1999

        The President. Colonel Nichols, I know you're about to leave on a
    mission. I just called to tell you we're proud of you, and

    [[Page 564]]

    we appreciate you and all your Buzzards there at the 510th and all the
    other people who are carrying out this difficult mission.
        And you may know that I'm down in Virginia, and I just met with some
    service families to tell them how much I appreciate their sacrifice. And
    I know many of you have families back home pulling for you, as well.
        So I just want to tell you that and tell you how proud we are. I'm
    here with Secretary Cohen and General Shelton and a number of other
    people from Washington, and we're all there for you.
        Lt. Col. David Nichols. Thank you, Mr. President, sir. You have the
    81st and the 23d Fighter Squadrons here also. It's a great team. And we
    are truly honored to have the privilege to hear your voice this
    afternoon.
        The President. Well, thank you. I know that I'm taking you almost up
    to your departure time, and I don't want to keep you late for your
    mission. But you just know we're all proud of you, and what you're doing
    is very important for our country and for the future of the world. And
    we thank you very much.
        Goodbye.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:46 p.m. from the dining room of the
    Pennsylvania House at the Norfolk Naval Station. Lieutenant Colonel
    Nichols, USAF, is Commanding Officer of the 510th Fighter Squadron. A
    tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.