[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 46 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Pages 1611-1612]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Signing the National Employer Support of the Guard and 
Reserve Week Proclamation

November 14, 2003

    Thank you all for coming. Thanks for the warm welcome. Welcome to 
the people's house.
    In a few moments, I will sign a proclamation in honor of employers 
across America who have shown their support for our National Guardsmen 
and reservists. In times of need, our Nation counts on the guard and 
reserve members to fulfill their commitments of service. We value their 
courage, and we honor their sacrifice. They are defending their Nation 
in the war on terror, and they're serving in a just cause.
    Our guardsmen and reservists depend on the understanding of their 
employers. Across America, where units have been activated, employers at 
offices and factories and schools, hospitals, and other workplaces have 
been understanding and really supportive. They've given priority to the 
needs of our Nation. Employers have shown great consideration for their 
workers who have been called to duty and great support for the Nation's 
defense. These companies have the gratitude of our Nation. They have the 
gratitude of the Commander in Chief.
    I appreciate members of my team who are here today. Secretary Elaine 
Chao of the Department of Labor and Secretary Tony Principi of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, thank you both for coming. I appreciate 
Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz at the Department of Defense for being 
here as well. Under Secretary David Chu; thank you for coming, David. I 
appreciate Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee for being here. I 
see that General Pete Pace is here, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff. I appreciate Assistant Secretary Thomas Hall, Assistant Secretary 
for Reserve Affairs, for coming; thank you, sir. I appreciate David 
Janes, the Acting National Chairman of the Employer Support of the Guard 
and Reserve group. Thank you for coming.
    Most of all, I thank you all for being here, particularly those who 
wear our Nation's uniform.
    American citizen soldiers have served in every conflict since the 
Revolutionary War. Some of the most legendary names in American military 
history are associated with Guard and Reserve units. The famed 
``Keystone Division,'' as the Pennsylvania National Guard was long 
known, once marched under the command of Omar Bradley. The ``Rainbow 
Division,'' which drew soldiers from Guard units in 26 States and from 
the District of Columbia, was led in World War I by a young brigadier 
general named Douglas MacArthur. In 1905, 21-year-old Harry S Truman 
joined the Missouri National Guard. Our 33d President learned much from 
his experiences in the Guard, and so did the 43d President.
    But most of all, I remember the high caliber of the people with whom 
I served. Today, more than 1.2 million men and women serve in the Guard 
and the Reserve. That's almost half of America's total military 
strength. These men and women face the difficult challenge of balancing 
military duty with civilian employment. They know that the call to 
active duty can come at any time.
    And they're always ready. Guardsmen and reservists are now serving 
around the world, in places like Afghanistan and in Iraq. They serve 
here at home as well, in the war on terror. They're meeting the 
terrorist enemy abroad so our fellow citizens do not have to face the 
enemy at home.
    They are part of our efforts to employ targeted and decisive force 
against coldblooded terrorist killers. They're helping to train and 
equip Iraqis and Afghans to defend their own nations. They're helping 
the Iraqi and Afghan people build just and free and democratic 
governments. They're helping to defend the American homeland.
    Our guardsmen and reservists are showing great skill and courage, 
and America honors their unselfish dedication to duty. Our

[[Page 1612]]

guardsmen and reservists rely on the support and patience of their 
families, their wives and husbands and daughters and sons who must bear 
the prolonged absence of a loved one. They rely on their civilian 
employers to put the national interest above the corporate or self 
interests. Employers of guard and reserve members make possible the 
contributions of our citizen soldiers. By supporting the mobilization of 
patriots, employers are demonstrating their own patriotism.
    With us today are representatives of companies that have given 
outstanding support to the Guard and to the Reserve. Central Atlantic 
Toyota Distribution Center, D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company, Miller 
Brewing, Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation, Tyson Foods are all 
winners of this year's Secretary of Defense Employers Support Freedom 
Award.
    These companies do all their utmost to support and encourage service 
in America's National Guard and Reserve. They provide pay, health care 
benefits, and job security to the men and women who are called to active 
duty. They recognize that their workers are fighting to keep America 
free.
    Other companies are making equally important contributions. 
Albertson's, Clear Channel Airports, Home Depot, and Verizon all provide 
outstanding support to their employees during mobilizations. All of us 
appreciate the generosity and the public spirit shown by these 
outstanding companies and many others like them around our country.
    Members of the guard and reserve are with us today. We're proud of 
your service. We thank you for your sacrifice. The war on terror has 
drawn on many of America's strengths, and one of the greatest strengths 
is the citizen-soldier, like Specialist James Dexter of the Illinois 
National Guard. At home, Specialist Dexter is a volunteer firefighter. 
In Iraq, he is serving as a military police officer. On three separate 
occasions in a single month, Specialist Dexter rushed to the scene of 
traffic accidents, twice saving the lives of American soldiers and Iraqi 
citizens and once putting out a dangerous fire. He was awarded the 
Bronze Star. He has earned the gratitude of our country for his service.
    America needs the Guard and Reserves more today than we have had in 
decades. We're at war. Yet we're fortunate that so many of our citizens 
have heeded the call to serve a cause greater than themselves. And we 
are fortunate that our Guard and Reserve units have received such 
support from America's business community. As a sign of America's 
gratitude, I'm pleased to invite representatives from the nine companies 
here today to join me in signing a proclamation designating National 
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.
    May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our great 
country.

Note: The President spoke at 2:16 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Rear Adm. David Janes, USN (Ret.), 
National Chair, National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and 
Reserve. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of these remarks.