[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 31 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Pages 1100-1102]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to Military Personnel at United States Army Garrison--Yongsan, 
South Korea

August 6, 2008

    The President. Thank you all. Berlus--how about the corporal? What a 
silver-tongued devil. Thank you, Corporal Berlus. Thanks for the kind 
introduction. I'm feeling pretty spiffy in my new jacket; feeling pretty 
warm in it too. [Laughter]
    I am so honored to be here at freedom's frontier. Thanks for coming 
out to say hello. I always look forward to the chance to say, ``Hooah!''
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. Yes, sir! No better place to do it than right here 
with U.S. Forces Korea. I thank the units here from the 8th Army Pacific 
Victors----
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. ----members of the 7th Air Force----
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. ----the U.S. Navy Forces Korea----
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. ----Marine Forces Korea----
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. ----and members of the Special Operations Command.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. I appreciate the fact that you're carrying our flag 
with such honor in this vital part of the world. The American people are 
grateful for your service, and so is your Commander in Chief.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. Thank you. I bring greetings to the South Korean 
military who is with us today, members from the KATUSA and the Zaytun 
Division.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. We're honored by your friendship. We're proud of our 
alliance, and we're inspired by your work to advance the cause of 
liberty.
    I also bring my love and greetings and appreciation to the military 
families.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. Now, I understand our spouses did not take the oath 
of office when they enlisted. They took another oath. Matter of fact, 
their service to the country began with the simple words: ``I do.'' So, 
to the military spouses and to the children who are here, please know 
that the United States of America is grateful for the sacrifices that 
you all are making on behalf of our country. And I'm proud to be in your 
presence, and so is the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush.
    And I'm traveling--or we're traveling with our daughter, one of two 
daughters--welcome, Barbara.
    I know the commander very well. See, I got to see General Sharp up 
close a lot during the last 7\1/2\ years. He was in the Pentagon for a 
while; then he was transferred to this very important post. So, General 
Sharp, it's great to be with you again. Thank you for your fantastic 
service to our country. I'm proud to be with your wife. I also am proud 
to be with General Lee, deputy commander of the Combined Forces Command. 
It's an honor to meet your wife too, General. How about Sergeant--
Command Sergeant Major Robert Winzenried. Robert, I'm glad you're here.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. By the way, just so you sergeants understand, you are 
the backbone of the United States military----
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. ----and I appreciate your service.
    We're also here today with the Ambassador from the United States to 
Korea, Sandy Vershbow, and his wife, Lisa. Ambassador,

[[Page 1101]]

thank you for your fine service to our country. Proud to be serving with 
you.
    Fifty-five years have passed since the guns went quiet and the 
cease-fire was signed on this peninsula. Now, for some of you, 55 years 
seems like a long time. [Laughter] But if you're 62 years old, it's just 
a snap of the fingers. [Laughter] It wasn't all that long ago.
    And since that time, our forces have kept the peace. Our nations 
have built a robust alliance. Notice I'm saying ``our nations.'' We're 
working side by side with our strong allies, the Korean people and the 
Korean military. And thanks to the contribution of men and women who are 
wearing the uniform just like you, the partnership between America and 
Korea has become one of the great success stories of modern times.
    We've worked with our allies to help build a free and prosperous 
country out of the rubbles of war. And America is better off for it. 
Because of the sacrifice of troops just like you, a part of the world 
that was ravaged by war is now a--is now peaceful. And that enhances the 
security of the United States of America. We're bringing hope to people, 
and that's important, for people to have hope.
    One of the signs of Korea's emergence is a professional and capable 
military. It's one of the things you look for when you see a country 
begin to get on its feet and take control of its destiny--is what kind 
of military does it have.
    America is going to continue to stand with the Korean Peninsula, no 
question about it. And as South Korea has grown in strength, it takes a 
larger role, more significant role in its own defenses. And so America, 
in turn, is modernizing its presence. We're closing unneeded 
installations, and we're going to return this valuable land right here 
to the Korean people. See, this is a nice piece of real estate, as I'm 
sure you know. [Laughter] And it's going to go back to the Korean 
people, and then we're going to relocate. And that will make this 
alliance even stronger and even more viable in the future.
    This historic transfer is recognition of the skill and the 
capabilities and professionalism of the Korean forces. And those forces 
have become skillful and professional, thanks to the United States 
military. And I want to thank you for your contributions.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. The bedrock of this alliance is our belief in 
liberty. And there's no place on Earth that more clearly demonstrates 
the contrast between free and open societies and repressive, closed 
societies than the Korean Peninsula. No better place to see an example 
between the beauty of freedom and the hope of freedom and the 
difficulties with repressive and closed societies. As South Korea takes 
its rightful place on the world stage; North Korea traps its people in 
misery and isolation.
    The regime at Pyongyang has threatened the peace of the world with 
pursuit of nuclear weapons. We're responding to this challenge in two 
ways. First, you're making sure that there's a strong deterrent against 
North Korean aggression, and I appreciate that a lot. And secondly, 
we're going to stand united with South Korea and China and Japan and 
Russia until we reach our ultimate goal, and that is a Korean Peninsula 
where people are free from nuclear weapons and free from oppression.
    The story of this region----
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. There's another story from this region that's 
important for everybody to understand, and it shows that freedom is the 
surest path to move to a more peaceful world. In this part of the world, 
it's interesting to look at the history. In Japan, a country that was at 
one time at war with the United States and, obviously, others, freedom 
has helped transform the enemy into a ally. Freedom has helped transform 
that country into a prosperous and peaceful nation.
    And in South Korea, freedom has helped turn a nation mired in 
poverty and recovering from war into a vibrant democracy and a strong 
partner. And here we are in the beginning of the 21st century, and once 
again, freedom is called upon to lay the foundation for peace that we 
all want.
    We're at war. Now, I know some in the United States say that we're 
not at war; they say it's a simple law enforcement matter. Well, in law 
enforcement you respond after the crime. Hopefully, the September the 
11th, 2001, lesson will teach us all that it's

[[Page 1102]]

important to prevent the crime from happening in the first place; that 
we have a duty----
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. And that's why it's important to use all assets of 
national power to keep the pressure on the enemy, to do our solemn duty 
to protect the American people from further harm.
    But in the long run, I want you to remember that in this ideological 
struggle, the best way to yield the peace for our children and our 
grandchildren is to understand the transformative power of freedom. I 
brought a set of principles to the Oval Office, principles I will not 
compromise from. And one such principle is I do believe there's an 
Almighty, and a gift of that Almighty to every man, woman, and child on 
the face of the Earth is freedom.
    And as you're far away from home, just remember freedom is going to 
yield the peace. And I want to thank you for being carriers of freedom 
and liberty. I want to thank you for standing strong for certain 
fundamental truths. And I thank our Korean allies as well.
    Some of Korea's bravest citizens are working to spread the hope of 
freedom to other nations, especially in the Middle East. Korean troops 
have served with courage alongside ours in Afghanistan and Iraq. And the 
people of Afghanistan and Iraq will always remember that the people of 
Korea stood with them in their time of need. And they'll always remember 
the contribution that our U.S. troops have made as well.
    Many of you have been to Iraq and Afghanistan. I thank you for 
volunteering to wear the uniform of the United States in this time of 
war. It's an amazing group of citizens who, in a time of war, say, ``I'm 
willing to serve; I want to serve my Nation.'' And I want to thank you 
for making a huge difference in this great ideological struggle that 
is--here in the beginning of the 21st century.
    In Afghanistan, we removed a dangerous regime that harbored the 
terrorists who plotted the attacks on September the 11th, and now, we're 
working to make sure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for 
terrorists to plot against us.
    In Iraq, we removed a dangerous regime that threatened its neighbors 
and the peace of the world. Removing Saddam Hussein was the right 
decision at the time, and it's the right decision today.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. No question, it's been a tough fight against Al Qaida 
and other extremists in Iraq. Since we launched the surge last year 
events have turned toward victory. The enemy is on the run; violence is 
down; Iraqi forces are assuming more responsibility in the fight. 
Because of this progress, our troops have begun to come home under the 
policy of return on success.
    We're going to continue to stand with the Iraqi people. America will 
continue to support the men and women who wear the uniform. And we will 
defeat the enemy overseas so we do not have to face them at home.
    Audience members. Hooah!
    The President. So, I thank you for your service. I thank you for 
your sacrifice. And as I leave this peninsula for probably my last time 
as your President, I go with confidence in our mission, confidence in 
our country, and with great gratitude in my heart for everyone who wears 
our Nation's uniform.
    Thank you for what you're doing. May God bless you. May God bless 
the people here. And may God continue to bless the United States of 
America. Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 1:48 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Cpl. Victor L. Berlus, USA, 8th Army, who introduced the President; Gen. 
Walter L. ``Skip'' Sharp, USA, commander, U.S. Forces Korea, and his 
wife Joanne; Gen. Lee Sung-chool, South Korean Army, deputy commander, 
Combined Forces Command, and his wife Park Jung-shin; and Command Sgt. 
Maj. Robert Winzenried, U.S. Forces Korea.