[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 48 (Monday, December 1, 2003)]
[Pages 1709-1710]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to the Troops at a Thanksgiving Dinner in Baghdad, Iraq

November 27, 2003

    Thank you. I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. [Laughter] 
Thanks for inviting me to dinner. General Sanchez, thank you, sir, for 
your kind invitation and your strong leadership. Ambassador Bremer, 
thank you for your steadfast belief in freedom and peace. I want to 
thank the members of the Governing Council who are here, pleased you are 
joining us for one of our Nation's great holidays. It's a chance to give 
thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings we receive.
    I'm particularly proud to be with the 1st Armored Division, the 2d 
ACR, and the 82d Airborne. I can't think of a finer group of folks to 
have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all. We're proud of you. Today 
Americans are gathering with their loved ones to give thanks for the 
many blessings in our lives, and this year we are especially thankful 
for the courage and the sacrifice of those who defend us, the men and 
women of the United States military.
    I bring a message on behalf of America: We thank you for your 
service; we're proud of you; and America stands solidly behind you. 
Together, you and I have taken an oath to defend our country. You're 
honoring that oath. The United States military is doing a fantastic job. 
You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq so that we don't have to 
face them in our own country. You're defeating Saddam's henchmen so that 
the people of Iraq can live in peace and freedom.
    By helping the Iraqi people become free, you're helping change a 
troubled and violent part of the world. By helping to build a peaceful 
and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East, you are 
defending the American people from danger, and we are grateful.
    You're engaged in a difficult mission. Those who attack our 
coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will. They 
hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of 
Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator, and 
liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and 
assassins.
    We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win 
because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because you're 
part of the finest military ever assembled. And we will prevail because 
the Iraqis want their freedom.
    Every day, you see firsthand the commitment and sacrifice that the 
Iraqi people are making to secure their own freedom. I have a message 
for the Iraqi people: You have an opportunity to seize the moment and 
rebuild your great country based on human dignity and freedom. The 
regime of Saddam Hussein is gone forever. The United States and our 
coalition will help you, help you build a peaceful country so that your 
children can have a bright future. We'll help you find and bring to 
justice the people who terrorized you for years and are still killing 
innocent Iraqis. We will stay until the job is done. I'm confident we 
will succeed, because you, the Iraqi people, will show the world that 
you're not only courageous but that you can govern yourself wisely and 
justly.
    On this Thanksgiving, our Nation remembers the men and women of our 
military, your friends and comrades who paid the ultimate price for our 
security and freedom. We ask for God's blessings on their families, 
their loved ones, and their friends, and we pray for your safety and 
your strength as you continue to defend America and to spread freedom.
    Each one of you has answered a great call, participating in an 
historic moment in world history. You live by a code of honor: service 
to your Nation for the safety and the security of your fellow citizens. 
Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the Earth. I'm 
proud to be your Commander in Chief. I bring greetings from America.
    May God bless you all.

[[Page 1710]]

Note: The President spoke at approximately 6 p.m. at Baghdad 
International Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Lt. Gen. Ricardo 
S. Sanchez, USA, commander, Coalition Joint Task Force Seven; L. Paul 
Bremer III, Presidential Envoy to Iraq; and former President Saddam 
Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a 
Spanish language transcript of these remarks.