    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 36 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
    [Pages 1177-1178]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at a Luncheon Hosted by Prime Minister John Howard of Australia
    in Sydney

    September 5, 2007

        Thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your hospitality.
    Janette, thank you for joining us.
        So the Prime Minister said, ``Do you want to eat lunch with some of
    our finest citizens?'' I said, ``Sure.'' He said, ``Fine, I'm going to
    introduce you to the Australian Defense Force folks.'' And I appreciate
    you having me. It's a nice barbecue you threw for us. Looking forward to
    a little cowboy music. [Laughter] But most of all, I've been looking
    forward to saying thanks for those who wear the uniform.
        These are tough times. They're times I know that your families
    wonder whether or not it's worth it for you to be in the military. For
    those of you who have been to Iraq or Afghanistan--I saw this wounded
    man over here--you know that people wonder, is it worth it? Is it worth
    the sacrifice? And I told some folks today at a press conference, if it
    wasn't worth it for our own peace and security, I wouldn't put our own
    troops in.
        I believe the work that you're doing alongside our forces is
    necessary for peace. I believe we are writing one of the great chapters
    in the history of liberty and peace. And the Prime Minister has given me
    a chance to thank you; so I want to thank you. You've got a fabulous
    military.
        I talked to our folks all the time about what is it like to be side
    by side with the Aussies again. And they say, ``It's a great honor and a
    privilege.'' And so thanks for being in the military. Thanks for
    representing your country. Thanks for making the sacrifice necessary for
    peace. The work you're doing is necessary work, and we're going to win.
    And we'll succeed. And when people look back at this chapter in the
    history of the world, they're going to say, ``Thank God there were folks
    like you all.''
        So, Mr. Prime Minister, I'm honored to be with you. May God bless
    you all. May God bless our countries. Thanks for having me.

    [[Page 1178]]

    Note: The President spoke at 1:17 p.m. at Garden Island. In his remarks,
    he referred to Janette Howard, wife of Prime Minister Howard. The
    transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included
    the remarks of Prime Minister Howard.