[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 16 (Monday, April 28, 2008)]
[Pages 593-595]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to Members of the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride

April 24, 2008

    Thanks for coming. Doocy, thanks for the introduction. This has got 
to be one of the most inspiring athletic events in our Nation's history. 
At least it is for me, and I hope it is for you.
    I was going to ride with the guys today, but Laura told me I 
probably wouldn't be able to keep up. [Laughter] I'm--there is no doubt 
in my mind the people behind me are some of the most bravest people in 
our country's history. I admire their courage; I admire their 
determination. We're honored to have you here.
    I'm also joined by the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Thank 
you for coming, Madam Secretary. Secretary Jim Peake of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs is with us. Deputy Secretary Gordon England is with

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us. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, are here--other 
members of my administration and Members of Congress. The reason they're 
there is the same reason I'm here: We love and respect our military. And 
I thank you for coming.
    I want to thank Granger Smith and the band for joining us today. 
Thanks for being here.
    I appreciate those who wear the uniform who have joined us. I'm 
proud of you. Thanks for serving. I want to thank the wounded warriors. 
I want to thank their caregivers from Walter Reed and Bethesda. I 
appreciate the members of the Wounded Warrior Project. And I want to 
thank the family members and friends who are here today. Welcome to the 
White House.
    Four years ago, Chris Carney decided to ride coast-to-coast to raise 
awareness and money for our wounded warriors. In the first year, he 
biked more than 5,000 miles from Long Island to the Pacific Ocean and 
raised more than a million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. He 
started what's called the annual Soldier Ride.
    Next year, wounded vets started coming along. In 2006, 75 wounded 
warriors took turns riding portions of the cross-country journey. These 
service men and women rode to raise money for their fellow soldiers, 
including those who were hurt too much to ride. And they also rode to 
show themselves what they could do. And in so doing, they showed the 
world what they could do.
    Americans came out to cheer. More soldiers and supporters came out 
to ride. More Americans then came out to show their support, so the 
Soldier Ride started doing different races around the country so even 
more of our citizens could participate. Today, hundreds of people have 
gathered here on the South Lawn to kick off this ride, and I want to 
thank you all for being here.
    The 3-day bike ride you're starting today at the White House says a 
lot. It says that you're showing that even when you're wounded, you're 
not done fighting. One of the riders today is Marine Corporal Chad 
Watson. I've gotten to know Chad. I met him when I was at Walter Reed 3 
weeks after his Humvee was hit with an IED on patrol in Fallujah. He 
lost his right leg; he shattered his left ankle and foot; he took 
shrapnel to his face. And when I went into his room, he wanted to stand 
at attention and shake hands with the Commander in Chief, as well as 
salute.
    He got up to his walker--his daddy helped him and so did his 
brother--he held himself upright with his arm strength while a fellow 
marine read his accommodation, and I had the honor of giving him the 
Purple Heart.
    I told him to sit down. He didn't want to; he was a marine. And now 
he's here. He's got a new leg, and thanks to that leg, Chad will be able 
to start on even a greater journey than the one he begins today. This 
summer, he's going to walk down the aisle to get married to his 
beautiful bride. We're glad you're here.
    The technology that you're witnessing today is helping our troops 
regain their lives. And it's state of the art, and that's the way it 
should be. We owe those who wear the uniform all the support they can 
possibly have. We'll give them the best medical care. And for the docs 
and nurses here, there's no doubt in my mind, our troops get the best 
medical care possible.
    We owe them the best prosthesis. And if there's a new advance, it 
will be made available for our folks. We owe them a Veterans Health 
Administration that's seamless and works well. We owe them our thanks.
    These service members are focused on what you have to give than what 
you've lost. I appreciate the spirit of those in the Soldier Ride.
    I thank my fellow citizens for supporting our troops. I appreciate 
the fact that the families have stood by those who wear the uniform. I 
appreciate your loved ones who are here today to cheer you on. The 
riders represent the spirit of the strongest military in the world and 
the greatest country on Earth. I'm thankful that we have brave men and 
women like you who step forward to protect America. I'm proud to be your 
Commander in Chief.
    And now let us get started. God bless you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:26 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Steve Doocy, anchor, FOX News 
Channel ``Fox and Friends''; Chris Carney, founder, Wounded Warrior 
Project Soldier Ride; and

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Jillian Kinsella, fiancee of Cpl. Chad M. Watson, USMC.