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Remarks at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, August 18, 2003
August 14, 2003
Thank you all. Thank you all very much. Thanks for coming out to say hello. It's getting a little quiet on the ranch--[laughter]-so I decided to pay a visit to the "devil dogs."
I'm honored to be in the presence of the men and women who wear our Nation's uniform. I'm proud of you, and I want to thank you for your service to our great country. Each of you serves in a crucial time in our Nation's history. And this Nation is grateful for the sacrifice and service you make.
Many of you have recently returned from Iraq, and it seems like you're happy to be home. More than 70,000 men and women from bases in southern California were deployed in Iraq. You served with honor; you served with skill; and you were successful.
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Before you went in, Iraqis were an oppressed people, and the dictator threatened his neighbors, the Middle East, and the world. Today, the Iraqis are liberated people; the former regime is gone; and our Nation and the world is more secure.
This Nation is at war with people who hate what we stand for. We love freedom, and we're not going to change. Our country depends on you to protect our freedom, and every day, you depend on your families. This has been a challenging time for military families. I know that. During the last year, our families and our military have met hardships and met them together. You've supported and looked out for one another. You've been strong and faithful to the people you love. Military families make tremendous sacrifices for America, and our Nation is grateful for your service to our country.
I appreciate General Conway. This isn't the first time I met him. He looks you right in the eye. He's the kind of commander I'd like to serve under--it's just that, he just serves under me. [Laughter] I appreciate General Amos, General Gallinetti. I appreciate all those who are in command of forces here. I want to thank you for what you do.
We've got members of the California congressional delegation here. These are stalwarts when it comes to understanding the need to provide you the resources necessary to do your job. There's no finer Congressman when it comes to military affairs than Congressman Duncan Hunter. With him, the Congressman from southern California as well; I call him "The Ace," because he was an ace in Vietnam, a great fighter pilot, Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Two other members of the delegation are here who are friends of mine, people who serve with distinction, Congressman Ed Royce and Congressman Darrell Issa. I'm honored you all are here. Thank you for coming.
The Marine Corps Air Station and the military bases of southern California have long, long been crucial to the defense of this country. We intend to keep it that way. Generations of marines and sailors and pilots have trained and served here. And for the veterans who are with us today, I thank you for your service to our country.
Now you have been called. This group of marines and sailors have been called to serve in the first war of the 21st century. The war began almost 2 years ago, on September the 11th, 2001, when this Nation was brutally attacked and thousands of our fellow citizens died. We were awakened to new dangers on that day.
On that morning, the threats that had gathered far across the world appeared suddenly in our own cities. The world changed on that day. The enemies of the United States showed the harm they can do and the evil they intend. Since that September morning, our enemies have also seen something: They have seen the will and the might of the United States military, and they are meeting the fate they chose for themselves.
Our Nation is waging a broad and unrelenting campaign against the global terror network, and we're winning. Wherever A1 Qaida terrorists try to hide, from the caves and mountains of Central Asia to the islands of the Philippines to the cities in Pakistan, we are finding them, and we are bringing them to justice.
In the last 2 days, we captured a major terrorist named Hambali. He's a known killer who was a close associate of September the 11th mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed. Hambali was one of the world's most lethal terrorists, who is suspected of planning major terrorist operations, including that which occurred in Bali, Indonesia, and other recent attacks. He is no longer a problem to those of us who love freedom, and neither are nearly two-thirds of known senior A1 Qaida leaders, operational managers, and key facilitators who have been captured or have been killed.
Now, we're making progress. Slowly but surely, we're doing our duty to our fellow citizens. Now, A1 Qaida is still active, and they're still recruiting, and they're still a threat because we won't cower. Its leaders and foot soldiers continue to plot against the American people. But every terrorist can be certain of this: Wherever they are, we will hunt them down one by one until they are no longer a threat to the people who live in the United States of America.
