[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 16 (Monday, April 21, 2003)]
[Pages 439-440]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Videotape Remarks to America's Military and Their Families

April 14, 2003

    My fellow citizens:
    When freedom needs defending, America turns to our military. I want 
to thank those who wear our uniform. Thank you for your sacrifice. And 
as our men and women in uniform do their job, they count on their 
families. This time of war has been a time of hardship for many military 
families. Some of you have been separated from your loved ones by long 
deployments. You're dealing with added burdens at home while praying for 
your husband or wife, son or daughter, father or mother far from home. 
All of America is grateful for your sacrifice.
    Over the last few weeks, the world has witnessed what you already 
know--that our Armed Forces act with great skill and great courage and 
great humanity. Images of the Iraqi people welcoming our troops in 
cities across that country are a testament to the character of our men 
and women in uniform.
    Our forces have been given a clear mission, to end a regime that 
threatened its neighbors and the world with weapons of mass destruction 
and to free a people that had suffered far too long. American and 
coalition forces are treating innocent civilians with kindness, 
delivering urgently needed food and medicine, and acting in the highest 
traditions of the United States military. Our whole Nation is proud of 
the honorable conduct of our military, and I am proud to be your 
Commander in Chief.
    All who wear this Nation's uniform have chosen to serve in America's 
defense and in freedom's cause. You and your families deserve the 
gratitude of the Nation and the full support of our Government. We will 
give you the tools and training you need to win our Nation's battles. 
And we will keep our commitment to improving the quality of life for our 
military families.
    This Nation has made another pledge: We will never forget the men 
and women who have fallen in service to America. We owe them our 
freedom. And we pray that their loved ones will receive God's comfort 
and God's grace.
    All of you know that great military successes comes from years of 
hard work, training, and commitment. You stand tall in times of 
conflict, and you stand ready in times of peace. For your daily effort, 
for your professionalism, and for your patriotism, I thank you on behalf 
of the people of the United States.
    May God bless our country and all who defend her.

[[Page 440]]

Note: The President's remarks were videotaped at approximately 10:20 
a.m. on April 11 in the Map Room at the White House for later broadcast. 
The videotape was played in the Press Secretary's press gaggle on April 
14, and copies of the video were made available but were not issued as a 
White House Press Release. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.