[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 47 (Monday, December 1, 2008)]
[Pages 1453-1456]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to the Community at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

November 25, 2008

    The President. Thank you. Please be seated; unless, of course, you 
don't have a seat. [Laughter] I am honored to be here at Fort Campbell. 
I'm honored to be with the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne; the 
Night Stalkers of the 160th; the Green Berets of the 5th Special Forces 
Group; all members of the Fort Campbell community. You are part of the 
finest military in the world. I have one word for you: Hooah!
    I also bring greetings from another man named Bush, America's only 
skydiving President. [Laughter] He said, ``Pass on these two words: Air 
assault!''
    In recent weeks, this post has been the scene of heartwarming family 
reunions. Many of you recently finished deployments to Iraq. You 
performed with courage and distinction on the frontlines of the war on 
terror. You have returned on success. On behalf of a grateful nation, 
I'm proud to welcome home the Bastogne Brigade, the Strike Brigade, the 
Rakkasan Brigade--[applause]. Job well done.
    I want to thank General Townsend for his service. I'm proud to be 
with his wife, Melissa. I thank General Schloesser's wife, Patty. I 
appreciate Maria McConville. I want to thank Theresa Vail. These women 
represent the military families who have sacrificed just

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like our military has. On behalf of an incredibly grateful nation, I 
extend our heartfelt thanks and our respect to the military families 
here on Fort Campbell.
    I thank Governor Beshear, who is with us, the Governor of the 
Commonwealth of Kentucky. I want to thank the two Congress folks that 
represent this important base: Congressman Ed Whitfield from Kentucky, 
Congressman Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee. I also want to thank 
Congressman Zach Wamp from Tennessee, as well, for joining us.
    I appreciate all the local and State officials who are here today. I 
particularly want to point out one person, Staff Sergeant John [Joshua] 
* Forbess. I had the honor of meeting John [Joshua] * at the base of Air 
Force One. He was severely wounded in a helicopter crash in Iraq in 
2003. Yet, despite his wounds, he volunteers in the Fisher House.
    * White House correction.
    I'm proud of those of you who not only serve our Nation by wearing a 
fabulous uniform, but serve our Nation by feeding the hungry and 
providing home--houses for the homeless, for loving your neighbor just 
like you like to be yourself, just like Sergeant Forbess has done.
    I want to thank very much those who made this event work--happen. I 
mean, it's not easy to host the President. [Laughter] Thanks for coming 
out.
    You know, we're getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm looking 
forward to it. The day before my first Thanksgiving as your President, 
guess where I was?
    Audience member. Right here!
    The President. Right here at Fort Campbell. For those of you who 
weren't here, I can only say that watching a bunch of Screaming Eagles 
tear into turkey is quite a sight. [Laughter]
    That Thanksgiving came shortly after the worst terrorist attack in 
our Nation's history. The war in Afghanistan had just begun; the 
Rakkasans were the first conventional brigade to join the battle. That 
November day, I said, ``Once again, you have a `Rendezvous with 
Destiny.' '' And today, there is no doubt that you have upheld this 
motto; you have done your duty, and you have defended the United States 
of America.
    Over the past 7 years, folks from this base have done exactly what 
they were trained to do. The Screaming Eagles, the Night Stalkers, the 
5th Special Forces Group have gone on the offense in the war against 
these killers and thugs. You have taken the battle of the terrorists 
overseas so we do not have to face them here in the United States. You 
have helped counter the hateful ideology of tyranny and terror with a 
more hopeful vision of justice and liberty. You're part of the great 
ideological struggle of our time. With the soldiers of Fort Campbell out 
front, the forces of freedom and liberty will prevail.
    The war on terror, the war against people who would do us harm 
again, is being waged on two main fronts: Afghanistan and Iraq. In 
Afghanistan, we removed an oppressive regime that harbored the 
terrorists who planned the attacks that killed 3,000 folks on September 
the 11th, 2001. Because of our men and women in uniform, more than 25 
million Afghans are free. Afghanistan is a democracy, an ally in the war 
on terror. And as a result of your courage, the American people are 
safer.
    In the recent weeks, the members of the Thunder Brigade have begun 
deploying to Afghanistan for a new mission. You will replace the Wings 
of Destiny Brigade and join a powerful coalition of forces, including 
the Currahees, members of the LifeLiners. You'll join Major General 
Schloesser and his Division Headquarters. Together, you will help the 
people of Afghanistan defend their young democracy. Together, you will 
ensure that a noble goal is achieved, that Afghanistan never again 
becomes a safe haven for those who want to plot and kill American 
citizens.
    The other main front in the war on terror is Iraq. In that country, 
we removed a dictator who murdered his own people, paid the family of 
suicide bombers who threatened America's security. As the regime 
crumbled, the dictator's sons tried to run and hide. They could not hide 
from the United States military. They met their fate in Mosul at the 
hands of the Screaming Eagles.
    Because we acted, the dictator, his sons, and their regime are no 
more. More than 25 million Iraqis are free. And a young democracy has 
taken root where a tyrant once

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ruled. Removing Saddam Hussein was the right decision then, and it is 
the right decision today.
    With Saddam gone from power, our mission turned to helping the Iraqi 
people defend their freedom against violent extremists, including Al 
Qaida. In 2006, our efforts were faltering, so I reviewed our strategy 
and changed course. Instead of retreating, I ordered more troops into 
Iraq. And to lead the surge, I chose a former commanding general of the 
101st Airborne, the man formerly known as Eagle Six, General David 
Petraeus.
    Our troops conducted this surge with resolve and with valor, and 
nobody knows the impact better than the Screaming Eagles. When the 
Bastogne Brigade deployed to Salah ad Din last year, the Province was 
still struggling to recover from the bombing of the famous Golden 
Mosque. But you partnered with the Iraqis to restore security. Schools 
and businesses are now open. The Golden Mosque is being rebuilt. 
Throughout the Province, hope is returning; the terrorists are being 
driven out. The Iraqi people have the Screaming Eagles to thank.
    Across Iraq, the surge has produced similar results. Since the surge 
began, violence and sectarian killings have fallen dramatically. Iraqi 
security forces have taken responsibility for 13 out of Iraq's 18 
Provinces. Slowly but steadily, economic and political progress is 
taking place. Iraqis are working together for a more hopeful future.
    As conditions on the ground continue to improve, we will further 
reduce American combat forces in Iraq; it's a strategy I call return on 
success. So far, we've brought home a Marine expeditionary unit, two 
Marine battalions, six Army brigades without replacement, including the 
Rakkasans. And by the end of January, we'll have brought home more than 
4,000 additional troops.
    As conditions on the ground continue to improve, we're also making 
progress toward completing a strategic framework agreement and a 
security agreement with the Iraqi Government. These landmark agreements 
will pave the way for a future of economic and diplomatic and military 
cooperation between our two countries. Iraqi lawmakers in Baghdad are 
now debating these agreements through the democratic process. It's a 
good sign that Iraq has become a strong and vigorous democracy, and it's 
a testament to the success of our men and women in uniform. The war in 
Iraq is not over, but we're drawing closer to the day when our troops 
can come home. And when they come home, they will come home in victory.
    The work you have done and are going to do is historical work. See, 
the consequences of success in Iraq will resonate far beyond that 
country's borders, and will resonate when your children and 
grandchildren begin to study the history of peace. Success will 
frustrate Iran's ambitions to dominate the region. Success will show 
millions across the Middle East that a future of liberty and democracy 
is possible. Success will deny Al Qaida a safe haven for launching new 
attacks. Success in Iraq will mean that the American people are more 
secure at home.
    In Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, our men and women in uniform have 
done everything we have asked of them and more. You've earned the thanks 
of every American.
    You know, this is going to be my last Thanksgiving as President. 
Sometimes I am asked what I will miss most about the job. Well, above 
all, I'm going to miss spending time with men and women who have 
volunteered to serve the United States of America, the fine men and 
women who wear the uniform. We are blessed to have defenders of such 
character and courage. I'm grateful to the families who serve by your 
side. And I will always be thankful for the honor of having served as 
the Commander in Chief.
    So Laura and I wish you and your families a safe and happy 
Thanksgiving. We join you in praying for our troops spending the holiday 
far from home. We pray for those who've been wounded in battle and for 
all who love and care for them. We hold in our thoughts and prayers the 
brave men and women who have given their lives and the families who 
mourn for them. We ask the Almighty to watch over everyone who puts on 
the uniform, and has volunteered to serve this great land.
    It's an honor to be with you today. May God bless you, and may God 
continue to bless the United States of America.

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Note: The President spoke at 11:13 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Brig. Gen. Stephen Townsend, USA, deputy commanding general (rear), 
101st Airborne Division, and his wife, Melissa; Patty Schloesser, wife 
of Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser, USA, commanding general, 101st 
Airborne Division; Maria McConville, wife of Brig. Gen. James C. 
McConville, USA, deputy commanding general (support), 101st Airborne 
Division; Theresa Vail, wife of Col. Thomas Vail, chief of staff, 101st 
Airborne Division; S. Sgt. Joshua Forbess, USA, President's Volunteer 
Service Award recipient, November 25; and Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, 
commander, U.S. Central Command. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.