Rice, Australian Foreign Minister Visit California Marines

American Forces Press Service ^ | Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

[SandRat]

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., May 24, 2007 – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Marines here yesterday with a message of thanks from the president and the American people.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks to Marines at Camp Pendleton’s air station in California, May 23. Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton have been key contributors to the global war on terrorism. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerry Murphy, USMC  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Rice said to a gathering of Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. Alexander Downer, Australia’s minister for foreign affairs, joined Rice in the visit.

Rice thanked Marines and sailors for their service and sacrifice in the global war on terror. Marines from Camp Pendleton have deployed multiple times to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The American people support and appreciate and tremendously admire what’s being done by our uniformed men and women around the world,” Rice said in a brief interview. “The defense of freedom is the defense of America’s security.”

Rice and Downer spoke briefly with Marines and sailors before moving to an urban-warfare training facility. There, they witnessed Marines training in a mock city, practicing skills that could be critical during upcoming deployments to Iraq.

Rice said she was impressed by Marines’ actions during the training exercise, saying it showed their determination to accomplish their mission.

“It was a tremendous demonstration of skill,” she said. “It was very professional.”

Downer echoed the sentiment, stating he was impressed in particular with the care and consideration Marines showed toward noncombatants and those who may fall victim to insurgent aggression.

“There is a lot of sensitivity to human rights,” Downer said. “I was impressed with their compassion.”

Rice said the trip to visit Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton with Downer was poignant because, just as U.S. Marines have answered the nation’s call, Australia has answered the call to stand against global terrorism.

“Whenever we’ve had to defend freedom, Australia has been by our side,” Rice added.

“We had people in the buildings on 9/11,” Downer said. “We’ve had people killed in Bali and people killed in London. Our response is to go after them.

“Somebody has to go after these people, and Americans shouldn’t do it alone,” he added. “Our determination knows no bounds.”

Downer said he and his fellow Australians were deeply grateful to U.S. Marines and sailors for leading the charge against terror.

“I’d like to thank them for the sacrifice they’re making around the world” he said.

“We’re proud of what you’re doing,” Rice said. “The devotion to our country is something I always take away.”

(Marine Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva is the public affairs chief for the 1st Marine Division.)

Biographies:
Condoleezza Rice
Alexander Downer

Related Sites:
Camp Pendleton, Calif.

	Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks to Marines at Camp Pendleton’s air station in California, May 23. Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton have been key contributors to the global war on terrorism. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerry Murphy, USMC   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shakes the hand of a sailor during a May 23 visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton have been key contributors to the global war on terrorism. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerry Murphy, USMC   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shakes the hand of a Marine during a May 23 visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton have been key contributors to the global war on terrorism. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerry Murphy, USMC   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walks with Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, during the secretary’s May 23 visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerry Murphy, USMC   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!

[rfp1234]

They were both at the Giants ballgame in SF last night.

[freema]

Rice said she was impressed by Marines’ actions during the training exercise, saying it showed their determination to accomplish their mission.

“Somebody has to go after these people, and Americans shouldn’t do it alone,” he added. “Our determination knows no bounds.”

Downer said he and his fellow Australians were deeply grateful to U.S. Marines and sailors for leading the charge against terror.

COLOR ME PISSED.

[freema]

Looks to me like bullshit ain't bein' eaten here.

[Ben Chad]

That picture says a thousand words.

[freema]

You bet your arse it does. Everybody’s wondering who’s the next volunteer in line for the brig.

[freema]

OK. Going to go chill and kick a wall.

[lilycicero]

Going to go chill and kick a wall.

I'd hate to be that wall:) I like to keep some puty around for the patch jobs.

[lilycicero]

Whoops...puty=putty

[ticked]

“Rice said she was impressed by Marines’ actions during the training exercise, saying it showed their determination to accomplish their mission.

“It was a tremendous demonstration of skill,” she said. “It was very professional.” “

Uhhh.... duh. What did she think it would be? Like little kids playing hide and seek???

[abercrombie_guy_38]

By the sound of your childish attitude, it seems like you’d enjoy a game of hide and seek.

[freema]

Wanna play?

[ticked]

I appreciate the fact that she took time out of her busy schedule to meet and thank the Marines at Pendleton, and to see how they train. What I would like, is to see her STAND UP for the Marines who do their job as the professionals that they are, and who are then are accused of being “cold blooded murderers” by a Congressman who leaked info before an investigation was completed, based on lies by Iraqis with ties to the insurgency.

[freema]

BUMPin it. This is disgraceful.

[CDB]

Fantastic photos!

A pal from Oz told me this morning (US time) that the people of Oz LOVE the USMC, and have a favorite saying about Oz’s special relationship with the USMC:

“The US Marines saved Australia [during WWII], and the Australian Coast Watchers saved the US Marines.”

[Grimmy]

Amen

[Marine_Uncle]

Looks like a wide variety of response on this one.

[Yorlik803]

Why is people Pissed about this?
Aussie has always been our allies....and they compliment our Marines, and people cop a Tude.
I dont Understand? Can someone enlighten me...

[traumer]

... the care and consideration Marines showed toward noncombatants and those who may fall victim to insurgent aggression.
“There is a lot of sensitivity to human rights,” Downer said. “I was impressed with their compassion.”