[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 24 (Monday, June 18, 2007)]
[Page 803]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Military Leaders

June 14, 2007

    It's been my honor to receive General Dempsey and his wife here to 
the Oval Office to thank both of them for their service to the country. 
General Dempsey has just come out of Iraq, where he is working with the 
Iraqi troops to prepare for--to prepare them for the day when they will 
be responsible for the security of their country. He explained to me the 
progress that has been made over the years that he has been there. 
Obviously, we have still more work to do.
    But I--my main purpose of inviting the general here is to hear his 
summary, but to thank him. It's an extraordinary country where people 
volunteer to go into combat zones to protect the security of the United 
States of America. No more important mission for our military than Iraq 
and Afghanistan.
    And General Dempsey and his family have been very much involved in 
this war on terror. And we appreciate you and thank you and wish you all 
the best in your next assignment.
    Thanks for being here.

 Note:  The President spoke at 10:22 a.m. in the Oval Office at the 
White House. Participating in the meeting were Vice President Dick 
Cheney; Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Lt. 
Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, USA, former commander, Multi-National Security 
Transition Command--Iraq, and his wife, Deanie.