Remarks to military personnel and families at Fort Stewart, Georgia

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Sept 15, 2003

September 12, 2003

The President. Thank you all very muck Thanks for the warm welcome. It's a fine day here in Georgia. Of course, the Governor told me every day is a fine day in Georgia.

Audience members. Hooah!

The President. It's a great day to visit the soldiers and the families of the 3d Infantry Division and to visit Fort Stewart. When I came here in February of 2001, it was my first--one of my first official trips, my first visit to an Army post as Commander in Chief, and my first chance as President to say: Hooah!

Audience members. Hooah!

The President. Since we last met, soldiers of the 3d Infantry Division have fought in Afghanistan and have hunted terrorists in Pakistan; you've launched the coalition offensive into Iraq, defeated the enemy in Najaf; you took the Saddam Hussein International Airport and seized his palaces; and you led the fighting into Baghdad the day the statue of the dictator was pulled down.

Audience members. Hooah!

The President. Following that day of liberation, 3d ID soldiers have helped the Iraqi people to recover from years of oppression, to begin the work of building a free Iraq. Two months ago, the Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack Tilley, spoke to the 3d ID troops in Fallujah. He said this--he said, "Be proud of who you are. Stand up straight. You made history." As Commander in Chief, I second those words. You made history. You've made our Nation proud. And you have earned the Presidential Unit Citation.

After a long deployment, the 3d ID is now home. America is grateful for your devoted service in hard conditions. America is grateful to the men and women right here on this base who supported your mission.

And we're especially grateful to our military families. I know it has been a tough 9 months for Fort Stewart families. But you've been loyal and patient, and you've looked out for one another. I want to thank you for the support you've given to your loved ones. Thank for the love of your country. Our Nation is grateful.

I want to thank General Blount for inviting me here today. I told him, I said he's a pretty eloquent speaker for a good warrior. [Laughter] I appreciate Genera[ Ellis, good to see him again today, the commander of U.S. Forces Command.

I'm honored to be traveling with two fine United States Senators, Senator Zell Miller and Senator Saxby Chambliss of the great State of Georgia, strong supporters of the United States military. As well, we traveled down with Jack Kingston and Max Burns, two fine Members of the House of Representatives. As well, they are strong supporters of the United States military.

Of course, I already mentioned the Governor once. He said, "Every day is a beautiful day in Georgia.'" I'm proud to be with him. He's a good friend, solid American.

I also am pleased to be here with Brigadier General Joe Riojas, assistant division commander; Bob Caslen--Colonel Caslen, assistant division commander; Colonel Larry Burch; Colonel John Kidd; Sergeant Major Kellman; and Captain Vern Tubbs. I want to thank you all very much for bringing me here today. It's an honor to be here.

Two-and-a-half years ago--or 2 years ago, this Nation came under enemy attack. Two years ago yesterday we were attacked. On a single morning, we suffered the highest casualties on our own soil since the Civil War. America saw the face of a new adversary, an enemy that plots in secret, an enemy that rejects the rules of war, an enemy that rejoices in the murder of the innocent. We made a pledge that day, and we have kept it: We are bringing the guilty to justice; we are taking the fight to the enemy.

In this new kind of war, America has followed a new strategy, We are not waiting for further attacks on our citizens. We are striking our enemies before they can strike us again. As all of you know, wars are fought on the offensive. The war on terror will be won on the offensive, and America and our friends are staying on the offensive. We're rolling back the terrorist threat not on the fringes of its influence but at the heart of its power.

In Afghanistan, America and our broad coalition acted against a regime that harbored AI Qaida and ruled by terror. We've sent a message that is now understood throughout the world: If you harbor a terrorist, ff you support a terrorist, ff you feed a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists. And the Taliban found out what we meant. Thanks to our men and women in uniform, Afghanistan is no longer a haven for terror, and as a result, the people of America are safer from attack.

We are hunting the Al Qaida terrorists wherever they still hide, from Pakistan to the Philippines to the Horn of Africa. And we're making good progress. Nearly two-thirds of Al Qaida's known leaders have been captured or killed. The rest of them are dangerous, but the rest of them can be certain we're on their trail. Our resolve is firm. The resolve of this Nation is clear: No matter how long it takes, we will bring justice to those who plot against America.

And we have pursued the war on terror in Iraq. Our coalition enforced the demands of the U.N. Security Council in one of the swiftest and most humane military campaigns in history. Because of our military, catastrophic weapons will no longer be in the hands of a reckless dictator. Because of our military, Middle Eastern countries no longer fear subversion and attack by Saddam Hussein. Because of our military, the torture chambers in Iraq are closed, and people who speak their minds need not fear execution. Because of our military, the people of Iraq are free.