[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 9 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[Page 317]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno

March 3, 2008

    General Ray Odierno served for 30 months in Iraq. He's nominated to 
Vice Chairman [Vice Chief of Staff] * of the Army. And I asked him to 
come in for several reasons. One, I wanted to thank him. And in thanking 
the general, I'm really thanking everybody who has worn the uniform and 
served in this war against the extremists and terrorists. And in 
thanking the general, I'm also thanking Mrs. Odierno and every wife or 
every husband whose spouse has been far away from home and is serving.
    * White House correction.
    And in listening to the general, I was listening carefully to make 
sure that the decisions that had been made were the right decisions and 
that the progress that's being made is real. I mean, this is a man who 
was there when times looked grim and a man who observed firsthand 
progress that was made as a result of the surge.
    He was a straightforward fellow who gave me his candid advice on how 
best to proceed--not necessarily with troop levels, because that study 
is going on now, but in making sure that we continue programs such as 
what's called the CERP money. This is money for our commanders to make--
to help these local folks rebuild and reconcile.
    And so, general, I want to thank you for your service. And I 
appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of 
those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq. You were the--you and General 
Petraeus were a unbelievably strong one-two combination.
    And my call and my assurance, sir, is that the gains that you and 
your teams have made will continue on, because stakes in Iraq are 
essential for peace, essential for freedom, and essential for the 
security of this country. I'm honored to be your Commander in Chief.

Note: The President spoke at 2:10 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Linda Odierno, wife of Lt. Gen. 
Odierno; and Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-
National Force--Iraq.