    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 17 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
    [Pages 768-769]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks to Military Personnel and Their Families in Twentynine Palms,
    California

    April 23, 2006

        Thanks for the warm welcome. Sergeant Major, thanks for the
    introduction. It's an honor to be here. I've been really looking forward
    to coming to Twentynine Palms. The general told me that I'm the first
    President ever to have come. It's an honor to be the first President,
    but he also reminded me that my mother beat me to the punch. [Laughter]
        I want to share some thoughts with you right quick. One, I'm
    incredibly proud of the United States Marine Corps. You bring honor to
    our country. You represent the very best of America. You represent men
    and women who volunteer to serve during dangerous and historic times.
    And because of your service, we're defeating an enemy overseas so we do
    not have to face them here at home. Because of your service, we've
    liberated people from the clutches of a tyrant. And because of your
    service, we're laying the foundation of peace for a generation of
    Americans to come. These are historic times, and your service makes me
    incredibly proud.
        And I also want to say something to your families. It's hard when
    your loved one is overseas. I respect your sacrifice and want to thank
    you very much for your service to our country as well.
        Today I--this morning I was--had three phone calls I think that you
    might find of interest. I spoke to the President of Iraq, the Speaker of
    the Iraqi Assembly, and the Prime Minister-designate. It was a
    remarkable phone call. First, they expressed their deep appreciation for
    the United States of America and our soldiers. They understand the
    sacrifices that you are making on their behalf, and they are grateful
    for those sacrifices. And

    [[Page 769]]

    the reason why they are is because they represent the 12 million people
    who went to the polls in the face of incredible terrorist threats, and
    said, ``We want to be free; we desire to live in a free society.''
        I told them--I said that they have awesome responsibilities to their
    people. They have the responsibility of improving the lives of men and
    women regardless of their religious status and nature; they have
    responsibilities to defeat the terrorists; they have a responsibility to
    unite their country. And I believe they will.
        The formation of this Government is an important milestone toward
    our victory in Iraq. A lot of times people ask me about my attitude
    about things, and here's my attitude: The only way we can lose in Iraq
    is if we lose our nerve. And I'm not losing my nerve, and I know that
    the United States Marine Corps will not lose their nerve, either.
        Yesterday was an important day, but I recognize we still have more
    work to do. Democracy in Iraq will be a major blow for the terrorists
    who want to do us harm. Democracy in Iraq will deny them safe haven.
    Democracy in Iraq will set a powerful example for people in a part of
    the world who are desperate for freedom.
        It is such an honor to be here with the mighty United States Marine
    Corps and their families. May God bless you all, and may God continue to
    bless our country. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:34 p.m. in the Mess Hall at the Marine
    Corps Air Ground Combat Center. In his remarks, he referred to Sgt. Maj.
    James M. Ricker, USMC, and Brig. Gen. Douglas M. Stone, USMC Reserve,
    commanding general, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command;
    President Jalal Talabani, Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud al-Mashhadani,
    and Prime Minister-designate Jawad al-Maliki of Iraq. The Office of the
    Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these
    remarks.