[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 40 (Monday, October 8, 2007)]
[Pages 1276-1278]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute to General Peter Pace and an 
Armed Forces Hail in Honor of Admiral Michael G. Mullen at Fort Myer, 
Virginia

October 1, 2007

    Mr. Vice President, Mrs. Cheney, Secretary Gates, members of the 
Cabinet, Members of Congress, members of the diplomatic corps, members 
of the finest military ever, that United States military, Secretary 
Rumsfeld, General Myers, members of the Pace and Mullen family, and 
distinguished guests: Today we pay tribute to an outstanding Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and we welcome his distinguished successor.
    Ceremonies like this are a storied military tradition. It is a time 
when families, friends, and comrades honor those who have fulfilled 
great duties to their nation. It is a time when we show admiration to 
those who step forward to assume new obligations. It's a time when we 
make generous use of words like ``honor'' and ``character.'' Sometimes 
those words are used too often. In the case of the two men we celebrate 
today, those words cannot be used too much.

[[Page 1277]]

    Admiral Mike Mullen comes to this post with a broad and unique range 
of talents and experience. Some of you may not know that his parents 
were highly regarded members of the Hollywood community, who worked for 
some of the greatest entertainers of the day. Many people are surprised 
when told about the Admiral's show business roots. After all, he's 
humble, well-grounded, and filled with common sense. [Laughter] Not 
exactly what one thinks about when they think of Hollywood values. 
[Laughter]
    Admiral Mullen left California to attend the United States Naval 
Academy to pursue a career in military service. He soon found himself 
stationed on a destroyer on the gunline off the coast of Vietnam. During 
that tour, Admiral Mullen was part of operations so intense that the gun 
barrels on his ship glowed red. That was the beginning of a 
distinguished career.
    The Admiral has commanded three ships, an aircraft carrier battle 
group, and the U.S. Second Fleet. He served as the commander of all U.S. 
naval forces in Europe and the NATO Joint Force Command. And later, as 
Chief of Naval Operations, he championed the construction of new types 
of vessels needed to deal with the threats of the 21st century.
    Admiral Mike Mullen understands what's at stake in the war on 
terror. He was on duty at the Pentagon when Flight 77 made its doomed 
plunge. He felt the plane slam into the building. He saw the carnage and 
devastation. And like all who worked there that terrible day, he still 
carries the pain and the loss. Admiral Mullen was there when war reached 
America's shore, and he brings the talent, vision, and judgment needed 
to help us fight and win that war.
    As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen will follow 
his strong belief that every member of our Armed Forces is, as he put 
it, ``part of one team and one fight.'' He will continue to set a 
sterling example to our men and women in uniform. He will bring judgment 
and candor to decisions that may mean the difference between life and 
death for young Americans who are serving our Nation. He will 
demonstrate the same love of country and dedication to duty that 
inspired his sons to follow him into military service.
    Admiral Mike Mullen is a man of decency and honor, and I 
congratulate you on your new assignment. And I know your parents would 
be proud. And I thank you and Deborah and Jack and Michael for your 
service to our Nation.
    As Admiral Mullen begins his service as Chairman, he is fortunate to 
have as an example the man we honor today. General Pete Pace is one of 
the most respected and accomplished military leaders I have ever known. 
He helped craft America's response to an unprecedented assault on our 
homeland. He helped liberate two nations from brutal tyrannies and 
helped bring freedom to millions of people. He began the process of 
transforming our military into a more efficient and effective force.
    Yet these accomplishments do not begin to tell the full story of 
this remarkable man. That story begins in Teaneck, New Jersey, where 
General Pace grew up the proud son of an Italian immigrant. His dad 
worked two and sometimes three jobs to provide for his family. His mom 
attended church service every Sunday, and, according to the good 
General, still lights candles to pray that her children are happy, 
healthy, and safe.
    General Pace was a good student and a good athlete. His mom said the 
General has been good at everything he's ever done. Some of you may 
think mothers are required to say only admiring things about their sons. 
Well, take it from me, it's not always the case. [Laughter]
    General Pace's dad died before he could see his son reach the height 
of his career, yet he always knew that his son would be a success. His 
family believed in his potential, and they weren't the only ones. 
There's something about General Pete Pace that makes believers out of 
nearly everyone. That includes the men who served with him in Vietnam 
and whom he led during some of the most vicious urban combat in American 
military history. It includes the troops he led in Somalia, who looked 
to him for resolve and guidance during difficult times. It includes 
marines, who look with pride on the first of their ranks to lead the 
Joint Chiefs

[[Page 1278]]

of Staff. It includes two Secretaries of Defense, who relied on the 
General during tough and trying times. And it includes a President, who 
has counted on General Pace's candor and sound judgment during some of 
the most difficult times in our country's history.
    During his service at the Pentagon, General Pete Pace has shown us 
many talents. He's shown an intellect sharpened by post-graduate studies 
at George Washington and Harvard. He's shown us great oratorical 
skills--this is a man who frequently speaks without notes. I really 
don't recommend this to everyone. [Laughter] He's shown a sharp wit. 
When a naval commander once made an edgy joke in front of the Secretary 
of Defense, the General stepped right in and gave the young officer some 
advice. He said, ``Never let a promising career stand in the way of a 
good joke.'' [Laughter]
    The most important attribute General Pete Pace has shown us is a 
quiet strength. It is a strength that has won the admiration of friends 
and peers. It is a strength built on the love and support of a strong 
and devoted wife, Lynne, and their family, Peter, Lynsey, and Tiffany. 
It is a strength that gave Pete solace in the tough and sometimes bitter 
world of Washington, DC. It helped him bring selflessness to a city 
filled with egos and a dignity to a political process that might have 
worn down lesser men. He now leaves active service with a distinguished 
team in place and a talented successor. And yet I also have the sense 
that General Pace is not going to end it all here. He's a man who has 
always put country first, and he will find new ways to serve.
    General Pete Pace always understood what's important. It wasn't 
titles he received or honors bestowed, and it certainly was not the good 
graces of official Washington. What mattered most were the young men and 
women who serve our country and risk their lives for its honored cause. 
He kept a picture on his desk of the first marine who died under his 
command in Vietnam. He can still recite the names of all other marines 
who died under that first command. And because this is a man with a 
tender heart, sometimes it's hard for him to get through all the names 
without choking up a little bit.
    Pete has devoted his life to those who wear our country's uniform. 
And they are devoted to General Pace. They're among the hundreds who've 
received his advice and friendship. They're among the thousands who 
lined up at military bases during his final tour to shake his hand and 
wish him well and say goodbye. They're among the millions whose names he 
will never know but who will always remember him. And they include that 
single soldier who came up to the General on his last visit to the war 
zone. He looked at General Pace with gratitude, respect, and pride and 
said, ``Thanks for your service. We'll take it from here.''
    General Pace, throughout your life, you have led those troops to 
honorable achievements and into the pages of history. Because of your 
example, you can know that with courage, valor, and confidence, they 
will take it from here.
    And so Godspeed to my friend General Pete Pace. Thanks for your 
courage. Thanks for your leadership. And thanks for your service to a 
country we love.

Note: The President spoke at 11:47 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
former Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld; and Gen. Richard B. 
Meyers, USAF (Ret.), former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.