[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 20 (Monday, May 26, 2008)]
[Pages 738-742]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Division Review Ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina

May 22, 2008

    The President. I want to thank you for the warm welcome to Fort 
Bragg. It is good to be at the home of the Airborne and Special 
Operation Forces. This is my fourth visit to Fort Bragg since I have 
been honored to be the President. Somehow I always find my way back to 
the ``center of the universe.'' And every time I come, I look forward to 
saying, ``Hooah!''
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. I'm pleased to be with the paratroopers of the all-
American 82d Airborne Division. You know, you and my dad have something 
in common: You both enjoy jumping out of airplanes. [Laughter] He's 
jumped with the Golden Knights at Fort Bragg six times. Dad is America's 
only skydiving President, and that's a distinction he's going to keep as 
far as I'm concerned. [Laughter] Speaking of which, he has a message for 
all of you--of those of you jumping tomorrow: ``Airborne, all the way!''
    This is the first time since 2006 that five brigades from your 
division have assembled together. Most of you recently returned from 
extended 15-month deployments to the frontlines in Afghanistan and Iraq. 
We've asked a lot of you. You've achieved difficult objectives in a new 
kind of war. You've performed with skill and valor. And on behalf of a 
grateful nation, welcome home.
    I thank General Dave Rodriguez for his service to our country. I 
thank Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army, for joining us today. I 
appreciate Brigadier General Art Bartell, Colonel Victor Petrenko. I 
want to thank Sergeant Major Tom Capel.
    I'm honored to be here with the military families. I particularly 
want to say hello to Maureen McNeill, wife of General Dan McNeill. I 
know he'll be pleased that I recognized you here at this event when I 
see him. [Laughter]
    I want to thank all the families of the paratroopers from the 82d 
Airborne Division who are here today. I welcome the families of the 
fallen heroes here today. It's such an honor to see the veterans of the 
82d Airborne Division and other veterans who have joined us today.
    I want them--to pay a special tribute to the wounded warriors from 
the 82d Airborne. Thank you for your courage.
    I welcome the State and local elected officials and members of the 
Fort Bragg community. Thank you for supporting these troops.
    Looking out on the units this morning, I see why the 82d Airborne is 
known as America's Guard of Honor. In your ranks, I see the strength of 
the greatest military the world has ever known. And in the families of 
Fort Bragg, I see the love and support that makes your service possible. 
The United States of America owes our troops in uniform a debt of 
gratitude, and we owe our military families the strong support necessary 
to make sure that they understand that we appreciate their sacrifices.
    Every trooper in the 82d is a triple volunteer. You volunteered to 
join the Army; you volunteered to attend jump school; and you 
volunteered to undertake some of our military's most difficult missions 
by joining this elite division. Each of you is proud to wear the all-
American patch of the 82d. And I am incredibly proud to be the Commander 
in Chief of such noble, courageous men and women.
    As members of the 82d Airborne Division, you belong to a storied 
military tradition. When Allied forces landed in Normandy, their--
paratroopers of the 82d were among

[[Page 739]]

the first boots on the ground. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 
1990, this division was among the first units to deploy to Operation 
Desert Shield. When our Nation announced that the 82d Airborne was 
flying toward Haiti in 1994, the country's oppressive leader began to 
make plans to fly out. Across the world, the 82d has come to represent 
the vanguard of freedom. And we salute all the brave veterans with us 
today who have ever marched in your ranks.
    At the beginning of a new century, the men and women of the 82d 
Airborne have once again stepped forward to advance the cause of 
liberty. Since the attacks of 9/11, you have deployed on more missions 
than any other division in the United States Army. You've taken the 
battle to the terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them here at 
home. And you've shown the enemies of freedom that the 82d Airborne will 
never give any ground and will always fight all the way.
    From the frontlines in Afghanistan, we welcome home the 4th Brigade 
Combat Team, which brought ``Fury from the Skies'' to America's enemies. 
We welcome home units of the Combat Aviation Brigade, which flew on 
``Pegasus Wings.'' We welcome home your Division Headquarters, your 
Special Troops Battalion, your commander, Major General Dave Rodriguez--
``all-American Six.''
    During your deployment in Afghanistan, you served under NATO 
commander and longtime Fort Bragg resident General Dan McNeill. Under 
his leadership, and because of your courage, you took the fight to the 
enemy. And thanks to you, the Taliban no longer controls the Sangin 
Valley. And thanks to you, the Taliban's stronghold in the town of Musa 
Qala has fallen and a flag of a free Afghanistan has risen. Thanks to 
you, hundreds of insurgents have been captured in eastern Afghanistan; 
many others have been killed. And thanks to you, a nation where Al Qaida 
once plotted the attacks of 9/11 is now a democracy and an ally in the 
war against these extremists.
    From the frontlines in Iraq, we welcome home the ``Falcons'' of the 
2d Brigade, the ``Panthers'' of the 3d Brigade, the ``Providers'' of the 
82d Sustainment Brigade, and units of the Combat Aviation Brigade.
    When Operation Iraqi Freedom began, members of the 82d Airborne 
helped remove Saddam Hussein from power. The decision to remove Saddam 
Hussein was the right decision at the time, and it remains the right 
decision today.
    With Saddam gone, our job was to help the Iraqi people defend 
themselves against the extremists and to build a free society. In 2006, 
that mission was faltering. I knew a victory was essential to our 
security, so we implemented a new strategy. Instead of retreating, we 
sent in more troops. And the first troops in as part of that surge were 
the troops of the Falcon Brigade of the 82d Airborne. Together with the 
Panther Brigade and other units of the 82d Airborne, you pursued the 
enemy in its strongholds, you denied the terrorists sanctuary, you 
brought security to neighborhoods that had been in the grip of terror. 
And across Iraq, violence is down, civilian deaths are down, sectarian 
killings are down, and attacks on American forces are down. You did the 
job we sent you to do. You have returned home on success. And all of 
America is proud of the 82d Airborne.
    When I was looking for a commander to lead the surge, I turned to a 
former commander in the 82d Airborne, General David Petraeus. He's done 
a brilliant job leading our troops in Iraq. And when it came time to 
name a new leader for Central Command, he was my first and only choice. 
The United States Senate must give him a fair hearing, and they must 
confirm him as quickly as possible.
    General Petraeus has reported that security conditions have improved 
enough in Iraq to return by the end of July to the pre-surge level of 15 
combat brigade teams. So far, three brigades, including the Falcon 
Brigade, have redeployed without replacement as part of this drawdown. 
Two more brigades will follow in the months ahead. When we complete this 
drawdown, we will have reduced our combat brigades in Iraq by 25 percent 
from the year before. General Petraeus and our commanders will continue 
to analyze the situation on the ground and report back to me with their 
recommendations for future

[[Page 740]]

troop levels. But my message to our commanders is this: You will have 
all the troops, you will have all the resources you need to win in Iraq.
    Often I've been asked, what will success look like in Iraq? So I 
want to share some thoughts with you. Success will be when Al Qaida has 
no safe haven in Iraq, and Iraqis can protect themselves. Success will 
be when Iraq is a nation that can support itself economically. Success 
will be when Iraq is a democracy that governs itself effectively and 
responds to the will of its people. Success will be when Iraq is a 
strong and capable ally in the war on terror. And when our country 
succeeds in Iraq, generations of Americans will be more secure.
    The first condition for success in Iraq is a country that can 
protect its own people. Paratroopers gathered here have seen the Iraqis 
in action. They're brave people. They're courageous people. And with our 
training, they're becoming better soldiers. They're assuming greater 
responsibility for fighting the terrorists and policing the streets and 
defending their territory. And as a sign of their commitment to this 
mission, the Government in Baghdad launched a surge of 100,000 new 
troops.
    In Mosul and other areas in northern Iraq, Iraqi forces have 
launched operations to drive Al Qaida from one of its few remaining 
major strongholds in the country. In Basra and Sadr City, Iraqi forces 
have led operations to clear out Iranian-backed special groups, illegal 
militias, and criminal gangs. The capability of the Iraqi security force 
is improving. They're winning battles.
    In this fight, they have been joined by about 100,000 Iraqis who 
belong to citizens groups bearing the proud name of Sons of Iraq. Many 
of these groups are Sunni; some are Shi'a; some are mixed. But whatever 
their makeup, these groups are determined to expel the enemies of 
freedom and secure their communities and build a more hopeful future.
    The enemies of free Iraq are determined to deny that future, and 
that means we can expect more violence. We can also expect the Iraqi 
security forces to be better equipped, better trained, and better able 
to take the fight to the enemy. And as they do, they can count on the 
United States of America.
    The second condition for success in Iraq is a country that can 
support itself economically. Iraq's economy has made tremendous strides 
since the beginning of the surge. Inflation is declining. Economic 
growth is increasing. Investment in the energy and telecom industries is 
increasing. Energy production is on the rise. Listen, there are many 
challenges that remain, and there is work to be done to overcome decades 
of oppression and mismanagement. Yet Iraqis can take pride in the 
economic progress their country has made.
    And they can take pride in the fact that they're paying a greater 
share of their own expenses. The--we provided critical help to Iraq 
early on. And now that the economy expands, the Government in Baghdad 
has a solemn responsibility to invest in its people, pay for its 
infrastructure, and pay for its own security.
    The third condition for success in Iraq is a democracy that governs 
itself effectively and responds to the will of its people. Security has 
improved, and Iraqis have realized they don't have to rely on militias 
or other extremists for protection. And they're taking a growing 
interest in their country's political future.
    In local communities, Iraqis are increasingly demanding 
reconciliation. They're demanding a better life for their families. In 
the Provinces, the tribes that rose up to cast off Al Qaida now look 
forward to casting votes and rebuilding their neighborhoods.
    And in Baghdad, the Government is responding to these developments 
with an impressive string of legislative achievements. They passed a 
pension law, de-Ba'athification reform, a new budget, an amnesty law, 
and Provincial powers law. And while there's still a distance to travel, 
they have come a long way. Their legislative accomplishments would be 
notable in any country, but they're even more impressive considering the 
conditions the Iraqis have had to overcome.
    As we look ahead, we cannot expect Iraq to suddenly put aside all 
their political differences. Sometimes we have a few of our own in the 
United States. We can't expect them to reach agreement on every issue. 
But

[[Page 741]]

we can expect Iraqis of all backgrounds to take an increasingly active 
role in the democratic process, share power, and settle disputes by 
debating in the halls of government rather than fighting in the streets.
    The fourth condition of success in Iraq is a country that is an ally 
in the war on terror. The people of Iraq have seen the dark vision the 
enemy offers. They've rejected it. The Iraqis understand firsthand how 
the terrorists murder and maim with no respect for innocent life. It is 
no coincidence that a nation that has suffered mightily at the hands of 
terror is becoming a strong ally in the war against the terrorists.
    And now the leaders of Iraq want to solidify their country's 
relationship with the United States. Last year, America and Iraq agreed 
to sign a long-term strategic partnership. This partnership would 
support future cooperation between our countries, without establishing 
permanent bases or without binding a future President to specific troop 
levels. Part of this agreement would provide legal protection for 
American troops in Iraq similar to those in other countries where our 
forces are deployed. And it would show our friends across the world that 
America will stand with them as they stand against terror.
    The vision for success in Iraq that I just outlined will not come 
easily. There will be tough fighting ahead. But the progress is 
undeniable. Because of your bravery and your courage, the terrorists and 
extremists are on the run, and we are on our way to victory.
    I know there have been some disagreements on the war on terror. But 
whenever--whatever--wherever Members of Congress stood on the decision 
of--to remove Saddam Hussein, we should be able to agree that our troops 
deserve America's full support. And that means the United States 
Congress needs to pass a responsible war funding bill that does not tie 
the hands of our commanders and gives our troops everything they need to 
complete and accomplish the mission.
    Some of our fellow citizens wonder whether the mission in Iraq is 
worth the cost. I strongly believe it is. And here is why. The enemy has 
made clear that Iraq is the central battleground of the great 
ideological struggle of our time. This is a struggle between those who 
murder the innocent to advance their hateful objectives and those of us 
who love liberty and long for peace. We saw that these enemies--what 
these enemies intend for our country on September the 11th, 2001, and we 
must do everything in our power to stop the enemy from attacking us 
again.
    Withdrawal from Iraq before we have achieved success would embolden 
Al Qaida and give them new safe havens from which to plot attacks on the 
American homeland. Withdrawal before success would embolden Iran in its 
nuclear weapons ambitions and its efforts to dominate the region. 
Withdrawal before success would send a signal to terrorists and 
extremists across the world that America is weak and does not have the 
stomach for a long fight. Withdrawal before success would be 
catastrophic for our country. It would more likely--be more likely that 
we would suffer another attack like the one we experienced on September 
the 11th. It would jeopardize the safety of future generations. And we 
must not, and we will not, allow that to happen.
    By contrast, success in Iraq would deny Al Qaida a safe haven and 
hand Usama bin Laden a strategic defeat in the land where his terrorist 
movement has chosen to make a stand. Success in Iraq would deal a 
devastating blow to Iran's ambitions to dominate the region. Success in 
Iraq would show the people of the Middle East that democracy and freedom 
can flourish in their midst. And success in Iraq would send a signal to 
the world that America does not withdraw, does not retreat, does not 
back down in the face of terror. And that will make us safer here in the 
United States of America.
    America is fortunate to have courageous men and women who volunteer 
to protect us during these dangerous time. We've seen that courage in 
the story of Sergeant First Class Benjamin Sebban of the 82d Airborne. 
As a senior medic in his squadron, Ben made sacrifice a way of life. 
When younger medics were learning how to insert IVs, he would always 
offer up his own arm for practice. And when the time came, Ben did not 
hesitate to offer his fellow soldiers far more.
    On March 17th, 2007, in Diyala Province, Ben saw a truck filled with 
explosives racing toward his team of paratroopers. He ran out in the 
field to warn them, exposing himself

[[Page 742]]

to a blast. Ben received severe wounds, but this good medic never 
bothered to check his own injuries. Instead, he devoted his final 
moments on Earth to treating others. This morning, it was such a great 
honor to be able to present Ben's mom the Silver Star.
    We pray that a loving God comforts his family. We pray that a loving 
God comforts the families of all the fallen. We will always honor their 
memory. And we pledge that their sacrifice shall not be in vain.
    Our mission in Iraq has been long and trying. But when the history 
books are written, they will show that this generation of heroes was as 
great as any in the history of our Nation. They will show that America 
refused to shrink in the face of terror. They will show that freedom 
prevailed.
    Thank you for who you are. Thank you for what you do. Yesterday, 
today, and tomorrow, you are America's Guard of Honor. May God bless 
you, and may God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 10:54 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, USA, commander, Col. Victor Petrenko, USA, 
chief of staff, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, USA, 82d Airborne 
Division; Brig. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell, USA, deputy commanding general, 
XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg; Gen. Dan K. McNeill, USA, 
commander, NATO International Security Assistance Force, Afghanistan; 
former leader Raoul Cedras of Haiti; Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, 
commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; Usama bin Laden, leader 
of the Al Qaida terrorist organization; and Barbara Filik Walsh, mother 
of SFC Benjamin L. Sebban, USA.