[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 26 (Monday, July 3, 2006)]
[Page 1234]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks During a Run With Staff Sergeant Christian Bagge

June 27, 2006

    The President. So I first met Christian when I went to Walter Reed--
Brooke Army, San Antonio, Texas. And he said, ``I want to run with 
you.'' He was in bed. He had lost both legs. I looked at him, like, you 
know, there's an optimistic person. But I could tell in his eyes that he 
meant it. And after a lot of hard work and a lot of compassionate care, 
this fine man is here on the South Lawn running with the President. And 
he ran the President into the ground, I might add. [Laughter]
    But I'm proud of you. I'm proud of your strength; I'm proud of your 
character. Thank you for your service.
    It's an amazing sight for me to be running with a guy who, last time 
I saw him, was in bed wondering whether or not--I was wondering whether 
or not he'd ever get out of bed. There was no doubt in his mind that he 
would.
    Thanks for your service.
    S. Sgt. Bagge. Your welcome, Mr. President.
    The President. Good man. God bless you.
    S. Sgt. Bagge. It's a privilege.
    The President. We're not through running yet. Get out of the way. 
[Laughter]

Note: The President spoke at 4:02 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. S. Sgt. Christian Bagge, USA, was injured in Iraq in June 2005 
while serving in the Oregon National Guard.