[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 13 (Monday, March 31, 2003)]
[Pages 388-390]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to National Veterans' Organizations

March 28, 2003

    Good afternoon. Thanks for coming, and welcome to the people's 
house. It is my honor to welcome distinguished veterans to the White 
House. I'm especially pleased to have met with leaders from the 
veterans' organizations at this crucial time for our country.
    The men and women who have worn the Nation's uniform set an example 
of service

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and an example of sacrifice for future generations. And the current 
generation of our military is not letting us down. Today's Armed Forces 
are upholding the finest traditions of our country and of our military. 
They are making great progress in the war in Iraq. They are showing 
great courage, and they are making this country proud.
    I'm honored that Tony Principi introduced me. I'm proud of his 
service to our country, not only as a Vietnam vet but now as the head of 
the Veterans Affairs--Department of Veterans Affairs. He's doing a 
really good job.
    I want to thank the national commanders and presidents of our 
national veterans' service organizations for coming. I want to thank you 
all for your service to your fellow Americans. I appreciate your members 
being here with us. I'm particularly pleased that Brian Thacker, a Medal 
of Honor recipient, is with us as well. I want to thank all our vets. I 
want to thank all the vets who are here.
    You're here at a time when our coalition, the United States and our 
partners, are acting together in a noble purpose. We're out to keep the 
peace, to make the world more peaceful, to make our Nation and other 
nations more secure, and we're going to free the people of Iraq from the 
clutches of Saddam Hussein and his murderous allies.
    We are sending a clear signal to the world that we will not submit 
to a future in which dictators and terrorists can arm and threaten the 
peace without consequence. We are enforcing the demands of the United 
Nations, and we refuse to leave the Iraqi people in slavery under Saddam 
Hussein. When the war in Iraq is won, all who have joined this cause 
will be able to say to the Iraqi people, ``We were proud to fight for 
your freedom.''
    The regime that once terrorized all of Iraq now controls a small 
portion of that country. Coalition troops continue their steady advance 
and are drawing nearer to Baghdad. We're inflicting severe damage on 
enemy forces. We are now fighting the most desperate units of the 
dictator's army. The fierce fighting currently underway will demand 
further courage and further sacrifice. Yet we know the outcome of this 
battle: The Iraqi regime will be disarmed; the Iraqi regime will be 
removed from power; Iraq will be free.
    In the last week, we have seen the brutal and cruel nature of a 
dying regime. In areas still under its control, the regime continues its 
rule by terror. Prisoners of war have been brutalized and executed. 
Iraqis who refuse to fight for the regime are being murdered. Some in 
the Iraqi military have pretended to surrender and then opened fire on 
coalition forces that were willing to show them mercy.
    Given the nature of this regime, we expect such war crimes, but we 
will not excuse them. War criminals will be hunted relentlessly and 
judged severely.
    In the last week, we have also seen the nature of the young men and 
women who fight on our behalf. Coalition forces have begun delivering 
food and water to liberated parts of Iraq. I was pleased to hear today 
that the United Nations Security Council acted to resume food and 
medical supplies under the existing U.N. program, which will bring 
urgent relief to millions of Iraqis.
    We care about the human condition of the people who have suffered 
under Saddam Hussein. We provided $60 million to the World Food Program 
to help get this humanitarian effort up and running. We're shipping 
hundreds of thousands of metric tons of food to Iraq. In every possible 
way, coalition forces are showing kindness and respect to the Iraqi 
people. They're going to extraordinary lengths to spare the lives of the 
innocent. We treat wounded Iraqi soldiers.
    The contrast could not be greater between the honorable conduct of 
our forces and the criminal acts of the enemy. Every Iraqi atrocity has 
confirmed the justice and the urgency of our cause. Against this enemy 
we will accept no outcome except complete victory.
    To meet this outcome, we must give our armed services the support 
and the resources they require. As veterans, all of you understand the 
importance of a well-supplied and well-trained fighting force. I've 
asked Congress for a nearly $75 billion wartime supplemental 
appropriations bill. This funding would provide fuel for ships and 
aircraft and tanks, supplies for our troops in the theater of 
operations, new high-tech munitions to replace the ones we have used in 
this war. The

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supplemental would also provide funds to assist in the reconstruction of 
Iraq and to help protect the American homeland in this time of high 
alert.
    I want to thank the veterans' groups for their strong support, 
unwavering support, for this wartime supplemental, and I call upon the 
United States Congress to pass the supplemental as quickly as possible.
    I also appreciate all the veterans are doing for America's military 
families in time of hardship. I appreciate your compassion. Across our 
country, local chapters of the American Legion, for example, are 
stepping forward to help those families in practical ways, from making 
household repairs to helping with child care. Members of the VFW and 
Auxiliary are sending care packages with baby supplies to military 
families. Operation Uplink program is helping thousands of service 
members keep in touch with their loved ones.
    Both the American Legion and the VFW are working with the USA 
Freedom Corps on a project called ``On The Home Front.'' This effort 
will match Americans who want to volunteer their times and skills with 
the military families who need help. Because of all this generosity, our 
men and women serving overseas will know that their loved ones are not 
facing this time alone.
    I want to thank the veterans' groups for understanding the 
compassion needed to help those who are here, wondering and worrying 
about their loved ones overseas. The people who serve in the military 
are giving their best to this country, and we have the responsibility to 
give them our full support, our full support not only here in 
Washington, DC, but our support all across the country.
    I want to thank each veteran here today and across our land for the 
lifetime of service you have given our Nation. I thank you for standing 
behind the men and women of today's Armed Forces as they fight for the 
liberty of an oppressed people, for the security of the United States 
and our friends and allies, and for the peace of the world. May God 
bless our troops.

Note: The President spoke at 2:44 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. 
The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of these remarks.